Apartment in minimalism style

Today, minimalism is considered one of the most popular styles in design. The modest design looks good in the spacious rooms of country houses, and in close urban apartments. Minimalism is distinguished by conciseness, “correct” geometry, free spaces and a special combination of neutral shades with textured surfaces. Conservatives may find the direction overly bland and boring, although it is characterized by a special dynamism that a modern person will appreciate at his true worth, drawn from his head into the funnel of a crazy rhythm of life. Design of apartments in the style of minimalism only at first glance may seem simple in execution. In fact, the direction has a lot of pitfalls and subtleties that must be taken into account even at the stage of project creation. In the article we will talk about how to properly furnish the rooms in a concise style: modest, but with deep overtones.

The history of the appearance of style

Already at the beginning of the last century, the life of an average person changed dramatically and the technical “jump” became the reason for that. The Bell tube appears (now the Meucci tube), Benz demonstrates the first car, the Lumiere brothers invent the movie camera, the Wrights make the first tentative attempts to master the sky. Although manual labor is no longer honored, the work of huge industrial enterprises requires entire artels of workers. For ordinary workaholic, they start to build economical houses with apartment-boxes, in which the pampered, languid classics and its main “follower” - ar deco do not find a place for themselves. The architecture is also changing a lot, as a completely new, modern trend appears in it - constructivism, and then functionalism, which exclude any romance. They became the ancestors of a whole group of styles, among which are “to the ear” high-tech, minimalism, industrial, which in turn gave rise to a more elegant loft for luxury apartments. High-rise buildings are being forced out by glass and concrete skyscrapers. Architecture tends up to where the inventions of Mozhaisk and Santos-Dumont are already in full swing. The first studios appear - apartments without internal walls in which all the contents of two-room and three-room options fit. Division of premises into zones becomes commonplace.

Designers in the design of housing try to adhere to the principles of conciseness and rationalism. And at this moment primitive minimalism appears on the scene. In those days, he became a product of nihilistic protest. Minimalists believed that luxury was the lot of the bourgeois, to whom they experienced burning dislike and neglect. As a contrasting alternative, the basic principles of style were created, on which it is still based. Minimalist ideas are firmly entrenched in the art of design, but in almost a hundred years they have acquired a new form and a different status.

Now it is a whole philosophy of life, which is displayed in the decoration of housing, because the house is a human fortress. This was largely due to the Land of the Rising Sun, where laconicism and simplicity were worshiped at a time when the Old World was still buried in shamelessly luxurious, rich apartments in the Baroque, Rococo, Empire style. The Japanese are contemplators, but natural objects, and not man-made objects, are the subject of philosophical observations. The interiors are simplified, which helps to keep things in order, and accordingly not to be distracted by material trifles. To comprehend this philosophy of life, it is not enough just to furnish a house in a minimalist style, for this you need to achieve "Zen" - a special state of inner harmony, which affects the perception of the surrounding world.

Features and main features of the style

According to experts, minimalism occupies an intermediate position between strict asceticism and functionalism more loyal to comfort. The decor of the room is for a person, and not vice versa, as is often the case with fancy styles. For those who suffer from "things", that is, collecting all sorts of objects that "can be useful once," this direction will be the best way to get rid of useless ballast. For minimalism is characterized by the application of a number of rules:

• The abundance of light, the effect of which is enhanced by the freedom of space.
• The absence of small decorative elements.
• Restrained tones, as the basis of color gamut. At registration, the principle of a combination of three shades is applied: two neutral and a third accent.
• Simple geometry in the details of furnishing.
• Rational and convenient location filling room.
• Natural materials and textiles, allowing to equip a status interior in expensive apartments.

Minimalism is considered a clear and expressive style. To emphasize any design detail, simply add it to the composition, that is, to show that it deserves to take its place in the interior. You can polish the accent element with the help of color and special texture that will stand out against the background of overall smoothness.

For owners of small one-room flats, where even nowhere to turn, minimalism will be a real chance to radically change the situation for the better.

Color variety

The basis of the minimalist color composition is usually a trio:

• White.
• Gray.
• The black.

As a rule, the tone concept is built on the principle of analogy or monochrome, that is, all components of the composition are shades of the same color. If the decoration is too gloomy and gloomy, the atmosphere is diluted with one or two relatively bright details. Use elements in light shades of blue, yellow, orange, green, lilac. To emphasize the whiteness of the surface, apply a game of contrasts with a spectacular black. Also textured materials will help to focus on white: wood, metal. Preference is given to gray, beige, pearl, creamy, sandy, ash and light nut shades. They do not have the directness and uncompromising white, but great play with him in a duet.

Materials and methods of finishing

Ceiling trim one of the following options:

• Plastering in snow-white color.
• Painted in "milky" tone.
• Cover tension fabric with a glossy surface, but without a picture.
• Mount the frame, which is sheathed with sheets of drywall.

The latter method is suitable for creating complex architecture of a multi-level ceiling when zoning a room. Drywall is subsequently painted in white or in light shades of colors used in the interior. The walls are traditionally covered with textured plaster or pasted over with plain wallpaper. Additionally, they are decorated with wood panels, glass or tiles (in the kitchen), brick or masonry. The latter option makes a minimalist interior remotely similar to the design in the style of a loft. Textured surfaces, as a rule, are placed on the lower part of the wall to a certain line (approximately on the line of the window sill). The top should remain monotonous, so that nothing distracts from the "meditation". The floor is trimmed with parquet, decking, ceramic tiles (large), linoleum, or use a self-leveling variant. Prerequisite: the surface must be monochrome. In the living room, bedroom and children's floor covered with large carpets with a long pile, the fluffiness of which will compensate for the boring color monotony.

Choice of furniture

Although minimalism in terms of furnishing adheres to conservative principles, creative relationships are welcome in the interiors. The main thing is that there are not enough of them, for each room only one such accent is enough. In the role of creative elements, chairs can be frameless or fixed on the ceiling (ball, cocoon, egg), hammocks, original coffee tables, hanging beds. When choosing furniture you should pay attention to the following qualities:

• Multifunctional.
• Practicality.
• Conciseness in design and the absence of decorative elements.
• Comfort

Since multifunctional furniture saves space, its use is welcomed in minimalist interiors. All household appliances are usually hidden behind the doors of storage systems, the beds are turned into sofas or wardrobes during the day, the chairs are retrained into couches or equipped with built-in tables.

Lighting design

In minimalism, lighting becomes an addition to the interior and its decoration. Of course, special powerful lamps are installed for work or a writing desk (workshop, library) is placed near a wide window in order to save electricity during the day. The rest of the lighting plays the role of decor. However, there is an important nuance here: the interior is decorated not with original ceiling lamps, but with the light itself. Sconces, floor lamps, lamps and chandeliers have very prosaic and familiar forms. The use of original lamps, in which the intensity of the light or its spectrality can be regulated, is welcomed. Rooms with suspended beds, armchairs, and niches in the walls must be emphasized with spotlights, which are arranged in such a way as to enhance the illusion of “floating furniture”.

About textiles

Textiles in the minimalist picture is not the most important place. The reason is simple: it is used a little. Fabrics appear in curtains and upholstery furniture. Preference is given to natural options, as synthetics do not fit into the concept of concise philosophy. Curtains use rolled or panel. In the first model, the canvas is wound on a horizontally positioned roller, and in the second, it is completely moved aside. By the way, panel curtains along with folding screens are used when zoning a room. Their surface is usually plain with a light print. Furniture upholstery is also chosen from monochrome fabrics of neutral shades. Sometimes it is covered with a pair of pillows in contrasting tones.

Apartment design

For the embodiment of minimalism in the apartment, the designer will need impeccable taste and sense of proportion. In order to gain inspiration and get a “charge” of creative energy, one can get acquainted with the portfolio of venerable designers, which present samples of the best works in this style. Although the direction obeys the general rules, consider the approximate design of each room separately, in order to plunge into the minimalist atmosphere and explore a number of nuances in particular cases.

Living room

The living room usually occupies the most spacious room in the house. A typical solution for this room will be its combination with a kitchen, dining room or hallway. When designing, it is important to create a competent model in which a properly organized space and lighting will be combined. The walls are painted, covered with textured Venetian plaster or pasted over with light shades of wallpaper. White color is ideal in this case. The floor is covered with parquet board or linoleum. If the living room is combined with a kitchen, then the room is zoned using a combination of large tiles. Furniture choose a strict geometric configuration: the sofa is rectangular, and the chairs have a cubic shape. The coffee table is made of glass with chrome-plated details. Similar shelves adorn the rack. The floor is covered with a fluffy carpet of ashy color. Allocation of a corner for individual rest in the form of a suspended armchair ball is admissible. One or two elements are chosen from the decor: a massive porcelain vase on the floor, a picture or a picture on the wall, a pot with a potted plant, a large sculpture.

Do not skimp on mirrors. It is advisable to hang only one, which will occupy most of the wall. Such a move will visually increase the living room at the expense of perspective.

Kitchen

For the kitchen in the style of minimalism pick up furniture with built-in appliances, which will save space. All the attributes necessary for cooking, hiding behind the facades of cabinets. It is better to purchase a whole set, rather than each of the furniture elements separately. Its facades are not decorated, only a flat surface, preferably with “hidden” handles. In order to visually enlarge the space, they resort to a clever trick: the bottom of the facade is performed in a dark color, and the top - in a light one. The finish of the kitchen apron with mirror tiles will look stylish. If the room is large, an island layout is welcome when the work area is represented by a table top with a stove jutting forward. It can be used as a dining table. In the decoration of the walls used a wide range of materials: brick, stone, veneer, vinyl wallpaper, chrome steel, high-quality plastic. The filling of the kitchen is emphasized by spotlights located around the perimeter of the room and in the area of ​​shelves, niches, and working area.

Bedroom

When planning a bedroom, it is worth thinking about installing the podium. On such a “pedestal” the bed will float in zero gravity, and the hidden storage system from the drawers will allow unloading the cabinet. On the ceiling, make a similar protrusion that follows the contours of the podium. The walls are trimmed simply, the best option is considered to be plaster. The accent zone at the head of the bed is decorated with one or two paintings. Twin bedside tables are made of wood, similar to the material from which the bed is made. Wardrobe set built-in coupe model. In this way, it will be possible to win back a little more space and disguise the overall furnishing element. The floor is finished with laminate or wood flooring. From above it is covered with a large carpet. Boudoir zone make out with the help of a pierum or thumbs and mirrors. By the way, the form and style of the latter can be borrowed from futurism. Unusual will look designer mirror, assembled from individual fragments or convex elements without a frame. They are fixed directly on the wall. If green is chosen as the accent color, then in addition to the bedspread and pillows on the bed, made in its shades, the floor is covered with a rug imitating lawn grass. He will call out to a palm tree in an outdoor pot by the bed or the window.

Entrance hall

For a narrow hallway, minimalism will be most welcome. The walls and ceiling are covered with white textured plaster, and the floor is finished with a laminate of soft walnut or asphalt color. The surface of the black entrance door with a glossy shine will be in harmony with the built-in closet. Its door is decorated with a mirror-like surface, and its facades are decorated with alternating ashen and black horizontal stripes. Outerwear, shoes and hats folded on its shelves. For pereobuvaniya in the hallway put a low black ottoman at the door. Empty wall can be decorated with a picture or a large photo in a metal frame.

Bathroom

In the bathroom white color will be very appropriate. The room is finished with tile, marble or imitation of granite of a light shade. Whiteness is effectively broken with bright accents: a curtain or bath mat, towels on the holder, blinds on the window. Decorate the room with mirror surfaces, chrome steel and traditional glass. A hanging toilet bowl and a counter bowl of stone sink will look impressive. Lockers intelligently mask under the surface of the wall. The combined bathroom is zoned using a translucent partition of small height. The lighting is chosen slightly muffled, as the tiled and mirror surfaces in it will sparkle with new colors.

Conclusion

Minimalism in recent years has gained incredible popularity. Perhaps the reason for this was the natural desire of a person, tired of overloaded spaces, to get rid of everything superfluous and surround himself with a piece of space and freedom. Unfortunately, the craving for "stuff" and the storage of unnecessary, rarely used, many are still too strong. Therefore, minimalism is not suitable for everyone: empty rooms can cause psychological discomfort and a sense of insecurity. In fact, this style is not devoid of peculiar beauty and comfort, the main thing is to find balance and harmony in it.