The hall or, as they say, the living room is the real face of an apartment or house. This is where friends gather in a cozy and warm company; here, after a hard day at work, the whole family settles down to talk and relax. Therefore, the main task assigned to the interior design of this most important room is the organization of a comfortable and cozy relaxation area.
- Modern style
One conclusion can be drawn from the above: a carefully selected interior design of the hall must certainly combine the preferences of all residents of the apartment , and also include its own place for each of them.
Getting rid of the Soviet past: design options in Khrushchev
Such a coveted apartment in the 70s is now turning into a rather small dwelling against the backdrop of new buildings growing like mushrooms after the rain, the footage of which never ceases to amaze. One way or another, not everyone can change their apartment to a new one, and it’s not necessary to do it if you know how to properly organize the design of the apartment so that even the vaunted living rooms of 25 square meters can envy it. m.
Such apartments have a small common and living area, so when drawing up the design of the hall you need to pay attention to whether this is the only room in the apartment or not.
On the topic: 175 photos of hallway design
Interior of the hall in a one-room Khrushchev building
A hall in a Khrushchev-era building with a single room is approximately 18 square meters of space, which must certainly accommodate both the bedroom and, in fact, the living room.
There are 2 OPTIONS for increasing space:
- integration with the kitchen;
- association with a balcony.
In fact, many designers have recently aimed at making studio apartments from one-room apartments, because in this way they can expand the space quite well. However, there is still a minus - this is the deprivation of additional space to the apartment owners. For some, such a minus will even seem like a plus (“just think, the kitchen was small anyway”), while others will sincerely think about another scenario.
Read more about kitchen design.
Quite often, in one-room Khrushchev houses there is a small storage room in the hallway, which will help get rid of many problems, because you can build a good wardrobe into it, which means you can free up some more valuable space in the room.
The design of the hall in a one-room apartment is based on the following “THREE PILLARS”:
- light;
- ergonomics;
- functionality.
This design can be done in any style, but for a one-room apartment, the Scandinavian style or minimalism is most suitable.
| The best options for interior elements | |
| Pastel shades | Will help make a small room wider |
| Bright color or highlight | Will be able to set the desired tone for the living room |
| Furniture transformer | Saves space that can be used for movement |
Read more about the design of a one-room apartment here.
Passage room design
Such a design should be as comfortable as possible and must fit into a small area (from 14 to 17 sq. m.) of a two-room Soviet-style apartment. Unfortunately, not all footage can be used effectively, so planning should be approached as thoughtfully as possible. For example, almost all designers consider the passage and space that is located between two doors to be lost for the interior.
What is no less disappointing is that in the total volume of such a room, this space is quite large, but it is negligible that at least some furniture could fit on it.
As for the corner, it IS SUBJECT TO DECORATION ONLY. You can:
- install a small floor lamp (or an oblong lamp of your choice);
- to hang a picture;
- put a vase.
By the way, this part of the room can also be separated by some kind of partition (movable, plasterboard or even brick). Oh, you say, this will significantly reduce the room! Yes, but this way it will become much more comfortable and more complete.
The undoubted advantage is the huge window, which occupies most of the wall on which it is located. This dignity of your room will be emphasized without unnecessary worries by light curtains made of translucent material, thanks to which they can softly diffuse light.
Provided that you prefer a glossy or mirrored partition in such a room, choose a modern style for interior design. It is he, like no one else, who will be able to emphasize all the advantages of the main room in the apartment.
Combining the living room with the kitchen to obtain more space is also welcome.
For such a room, the use of bulky furniture would be an obvious overkill. Small upholstered furniture is best suited. The placement of a sofa along the wall is too boring for such an interior; it will be much more interesting if it appears, for example, near a window.
There is no need to get too carried away with plasterboard structures, because they can turn an already not very large room into a tiny cage. As for lighting, large chandeliers are also not suitable here; it is better to give preference to a sconce or floor lamp.
Interior of a separate living room in Khrushchev
Such a hall is a typical solution for planning three-room apartments, as well as a rather rare variation of the “kopeck piece”. Of course, such a room will be a little larger than its previous comrades (up to 18 sq. m.), but it is also not worth cluttering it with ridiculous and overly large furniture. A wonderful addition to such a room can also be a false fireplace, which will be more than appropriate for so many square meters and can give the room real comfort.
Zoning
If the hall has several functions, it is logical to somehow divide it into zones. Moreover, it does not have to be a wall or something that replaces it. Different areas are separated visually rather than physically, and this can be achieved simply by using two-level flow, flooring and different wall designs. We are not talking about contrasts, although you can skillfully play with them, but rather about different colors or textures in the same range.
Separation using furniture only
Interior of a spacious hall, divided into living and dining areas
Another option for separating different zones in the living room of an apartment
Of course, partitions can also help with zoning. This is often necessary if the living room is combined with a kitchen, or is used as a bedroom. In this case, a physical, albeit transparent or translucent barrier creates a more intimate room. But it’s better not to make full-scale partitions in small rooms: they “eat up” the space too much.
Separating the hall and dining room with a symbolic partition
You are welcome to a private house
The design of the hall, which is located in a private house, differs quite significantly from its apartment variations. We can safely say that such a design, first of all, focuses on the house itself, rather than on existing fashion trends.
It is no secret that the owners of the house think through the arrangement of the hall most scrupulously. It is important to remember the following rules when developing such a design:
- the hall should become comfortable for all family members;
- the decor in the room should be focused on the interests of each family member;
- the amount of space occupied by furniture and free space should be in a ratio of 50:50.
As mentioned above, absolutely all the interests of each family member must be respected during planning. So, if small children live in the house, then it is better to choose furniture for the hall that does not have sharp corners. And the type of house should be given no less attention, because it is known that the external design must be in harmony with the internal decor. For example, if the house is panel, then you definitely need to finish the walls (leveling, plastering) before starting the design. But it is better to leave the walls of a wooden house in their original form, only giving preference to a suitable style inside.
Sockets
in a small living room
When renovating and planning, it is extremely important to consider the location of outlets. It is important to decide where the table lamp and other electrical appliances will be placed. You can also install a TV right in the room. In this case, you should make sockets with a reserve, who knows what kind of equipment will be purchased after some time. Yes, and you can buy a set-top box or some other devices for the TV itself. The electric fireplace deserves special attention, as well as garlands and the long-awaited New Year tree.
Fireplace in the interior
In order to make a truly cozy room interior, it is important to remember all the rules that were discussed above, as well as choose a suitable fireplace. This interior detail really radically transforms the interior, creating peace, comfort and unimaginable family unity in the house. It’s not for nothing that the fireplace is considered a symbol of the hearth.
With the correct arrangement of details, a fireplace can play the role of the main decoration of your home, or it can become the highlight of the interior. It has an amazing ability to attract the eyes of everyone in the room, which is why it is common to gather with the family at the fireplace, as well as to organize celebrations.
Whatever one may say, the installation of a full-fledged fireplace can only be carried out in a private house, and only on condition that the living room in it is at least 20 square meters. m. In addition, such a house must have a fairly strong floor that will be able to withstand the fairly heavy structure of such an important element of the interior. And, of course, installing a real fireplace is an incredibly complex process that must be entrusted to specialists in order to be 100% confident in quality and safety.
True, residents of city apartments should not be upset either, because no less spectacular electric fireplaces have been created for them, the variety of which today is amazing. By the way, such fireplaces perform not only the role of a heater, but not just a decorative function.
Their advantages are:
- aesthetic;
- safe;
- incredibly easy to use;
- It is possible to regulate the temperature.
When choosing a fireplace, pay attention to the fact that it fits well into the interior and does not fall out of the existing concept of the room. Often, designers give preference to classic interiors of rooms with a fireplace.
The best furniture option for such a room would be upholstered furniture, as well as small coffee tables. While TVs are advised not to be placed next to the fireplace. Family photos, clocks and figurines will look perfect on the fireplace.
Sofa seat
in the design of a small living room
First you need to use visual planning
. I suggest you draw a plan for the living room, in which the furniture will already be installed. You need to follow all dimensions to avoid any mistakes. After some time, your views may change. Who knows, maybe you'll want something more. This is absolutely normal, believe me.
It is best not to place the sofa in a draft
. You will feel uncomfortable. It is important not to place it on an imaginary line from window to door. It is for this reason that you first need to draw a floor plan of the room. You can forget about the draft.
The location of the sofa in the living room
. As you can see in the picture below, it is quite possible to place the sofa in different ways. You will understand that depending on the task at hand, the placement will change.
1. The design project involves placing a sofa in front of the TV. Just look at how he's standing diagonally from the door. The location is more than perfect. Just sit down and enjoy your favorite series.
2. The sofa is near the door. You can quickly accommodate guests who decide to stay overnight.
3. In a three-room or two-room apartment, you can put a corner sofa. Just set it up in the far corner of your living room. Then the living room will look more spacious!
What wallpaper is suitable?
The choice of wallpaper in modern construction stores is so large that it is sometimes very difficult to decide on their choice, even when you were almost sure of what you wanted before entering the store.
When thinking about your choice, you need to consider the following factors:
- price;
- fashion trends;
- parameters of your room;
- material.
Of course, fashion has a huge influence on our tastes, and the construction industry is no exception. But fashion passes and the best options, as experience shows, do not cause such delight over time. But in terms of decoration and choice, there are always options that will be universal and will look no less advantageous even after a few years.
When choosing the color and texture of wallpaper, it is imperative to take into account the lighting and size of the room, as well as the places that need to be either hidden or highlighted. Bright colors are ideal for the interiors of bright and large rooms. For example, purple, blue, green, burgundy will give strength and create a good mood for the owners.
True, the advice of all designers comes down to the fact that there is no need to overuse bright colors, so when choosing bright wallpaper, it is better to choose moderate colors for the interior.
For small rooms with low ceilings, you should choose light wallpaper colors. A small ornament can decorate such rooms, thereby expanding the space. But if you want to increase the height of the room, then it is better to choose wallpaper with vertical stripes.
More photos of wallpaper for the living room.
When choosing wallpaper, you determine the style of the room, so you need to adhere to the principles of your type of interior.
- For a modern style, wallpaper in soft, light, pastel colors will be preferable.
- If the interior is decorated in a classic style, then give preference to expensive wallpaper with elegant patterns, floral motifs, gilding or painting.
- For the Art Nouveau style, muted natural shades decorated with ornaments are suitable.
- The English style will be perfectly complemented by textured wallpaper.
- But wallpaper in cream, milky or beige shades will fit perfectly into an interior decorated in Provence style.
Read about the new popular type of wallpaper - liquid wallpaper - here!
Optimal color solutions
It is also worth remembering that the emotional mood of family members will depend on the choice of color palette. It is important that there is no room for irritating, overwhelming or anxiety-inducing shades.
It is better to be more careful when choosing bright colors - sometimes a combination of too saturated colors or sharp contrasts, although it will look stylish, can be very tiring for everyday use.
For many, calmer and “softer” colors can be a win-win option, especially since the hall remains a universal place for rest and relaxation after work and study.
Important! Before determining the color scheme, it is worth testing how it will behave under electric lighting in the evening.
The main criteria for selecting a range of colors are:
- Room area.
- The degree of illumination during the day.
- Number and location of window openings.
Small spaces, especially those with limited natural light, require light shades. It would be good to “warm up” a hall on the north side with warmer colors, while sunny southern rooms, on the contrary, would be better balanced with cold or darker tones.
Textured splendor: ceiling design for the living room
Modern and unique ceiling design will help create a unique interior of the hall. This is not difficult to do, because the finishing materials offered by modern renovation stores can make any desire of the apartment owner come true.
Undoubtedly, the ceilings should emphasize the existing interior and completely complement it, so it makes sense to initially decide on the overall design of the room.
In order to add volume to the room and visually enlarge it, choose a glossy stretch ceiling. Quite often, suspended ceilings are chosen for the interior of small living rooms, largely due to their mirrored features. Provided that the hall is quite large, you can choose multi-level ceilings made of plasterboard. Thanks to such ceilings, it is also possible to zone the room, at least visually.
Also, fairly traditional options such as painting and stucco are ideal for ceilings; they do not lose their relevance.
Air conditioner
in a small living room
It is extremely important that the cold air does not disturb people sitting on the sofa. Nothing pleasant. The internal housing of the air conditioner should be placed as comfortably as possible for you. However, if you install the unit near the door, you will have to pay money. Remember this.
Air conditioner indoor unit
- cannot be called the most beautiful thing in the apartment. It is best to install the block on a white wall. You can hide it.
Designers suggest thinking about the three most common options for placing an air conditioner.
1. The indoor unit fits perfectly above the door. Try to choose this option.
2. Placing the air conditioner next to a window is a good option. It is also often chosen by professional designers.
3. Terrible location of the indoor unit itself. The cold air coming from the air conditioner will blow onto the sofa. People will not be able to fully relax in this case.
Modest and tasteful: choosing furniture
Since family members spend most of their time in the hall, the furniture for it needs to be chosen appropriately - functional and practical. Previously, the hall was intended exclusively for receiving guests, so the furniture was chosen expensive and high-quality, which could show the wealth of the owners. Times have changed, today the hall can easily be like an apartment “Napoleon”, combining the functions of a living room, bedroom and office.
Traditional room designs include soft and incredibly comfortable furniture, which can be presented in the form of a sofa and two armchairs (a modern interpretation also allows for a corner sofa). True, the days are long gone when such a set of furniture was considered simply necessary.
Our domestic interior plans most often define a set of furniture as upholstered furniture (exactly the one we talked about a little above), a wall and a coffee table. Western manufacturers have slightly expanded this understanding of design by adding a dining table with chairs and chests of drawers, because in their understanding, the hall is also a dining room.
Conventionally, all living room furniture can be divided into:
- soft;
- hull
Such options are certainly present in both modern interiors and more traditional ones. Modern cabinet furniture is incredibly diverse in its design, because it is characterized by a lightweight design, thanks to which it does not look bulky at all. But, even taking into account such a truly royal choice of furniture, you should certainly be guided by a sense of proportion and your own taste, without giving preference to too bold options.
Comfort and beauty: which style to choose?
The first priority when choosing a style, of course, should be the opinion of the owners. But it happens that it’s quite difficult for you to decide on the appropriate style, because you like it, and that’s very good. You will still have to find a common solution that all family members will like, so that a banal renovation does not turn into a real bone of contention for your close-knit family.
Modern style
A modern style for your living room should become a real decoration, breaking established stereotypes. There is no need to be afraid of experimenting, because this is how you can create a unique design that will be the envy of absolutely everyone.
When choosing a color for an interior in a modern style, pay attention to the fact that it forms a single composition with all accessories and furniture. Soft and calm tones are considered the most relevant, while flashy and catchy tones can reflect the poor taste of the owners.
Furniture in a modern room should be functional and ergonomic. Give preference to beautiful upholstered furniture with a small number of pillows (can be multi-colored).
Lighting can highlight the elegance of modern style. Hidden dim lighting is perfect for watching TV, local lighting installed, for example, near your favorite chair, for reading, and a chandelier for general use. Minimalist layout is in fashion, because the design of modern rooms should not be cluttered. Designers refuse any unnecessary accessories in the room, and also choose transformable furniture.
As for materials, you should give preference to metal and glass in the interior (of course, everything should be in moderation). A real hit of modern decoration, perhaps, can be considered various shelves and niches made of plasterboard. In addition, thanks to the almost limitless possibilities of such a material, a variety of designs can be created.
High-tech style
This interior style is quite young, so it is constantly undergoing various additions that allow rooms in this style to look harmonious and cozy.
The main elements of the hall design in high-tech style:
- form;
- shine;
- light.
A living room in a similar style should be made up of fairly simple shapes. The main components of this design can be considered a competent alliance of lighting and metal shine. The presence of small decorative elements is not typical for this style; moreover, all interior items should be as simple as possible, attracting the eye with clear forms. Bulky and heavy cabinets in the hall should be replaced with light shelving, which is equipped with both closed and open niches. Pencil cases made of textured glass using mirrors will be a fantastic solution for this design.
Thanks to this style, you can even expand the room visually. This can be done very simply by using mirror surfaces in the interior. But glass doors or doors made of transparent plastic are ideal as a partition.
Classic style
This type of style is rightfully considered the most common and universal solution for all types of apartments and houses. Who would argue, because classics are always timeless and, moreover, they are not subject to unforeseen fashion trends.
The main feature of the classical style in the interior is the severity of the style, which includes a clearly defined structure of all elements that are present in the interior and decor. There is no place for cheap elements in this style, so forget about them!
Quite appropriate in such an interior would be various stained glass inserts that can expand the space, as well as stained glass instead of windows, which always look advantageous. But it is very important not to cross the fine line of moderation when choosing accessories for the interior, because this can completely ruin the overall impression.
The noble white color in the living room interior will help create the impression of luxury; in addition, it goes well with other interior design elements in a classic style. You can also safely use blue, beige, light green and turquoise colors, as well as soft shades of light colors.
Lighting
in a small living room
The organization of light directly determines whether the room will be cozy. It is extremely important not to skimp on everything. Another question is that an ordinary chandelier is not enough here. The design project should include several lighting options.
Living room lighting
. Notice how an ordinary brick wall sparkles with new colors. It was enough to choose minimalist lamps of various shapes.
Lamps
They represent a really important part of the decor, so that there is a combination with the approved style of the entire room. At the moment, different lighting devices in the same style, but presented in the collections of certain years and collections, have gained relevance. You can provide main, local, intimate light in the living room. You will like how your own mood has changed.
overhead light
considered the main type of lighting. This applies to the chandelier itself, as well as spotlights. At the same time, the chandelier will not only provide bright lighting, but will also be part of the design and become an interesting art object.
Toward the local light
This includes different floor lamps, sconces and table lamps. It all depends on your imagination, on the interior of the apartment itself.
Intimate light
represents candles and garlands. You'll love the smooth, warm white light. At the same time, you can create a cozy atmosphere in the living room. And the role of a night light for this lighting device has not been canceled.
Candles
. Most often they are used to create a romantic atmosphere. In fact, you can choose completely different candles, and their colors can be monochromatic. For a classic style, white products with a matte or rough surface are suitable.
Zoning
. The lamps are truly ideal for organizing the zoning of a room. This applies to the living room - kitchen. Just imagine how interesting pendant lights will look over a bar counter or dining table. In addition, in the living room area itself, you need to think about the main and local light. Don't forget about a cozy lamp behind the sofa, as well as a floor lamp near the window.
Difficult choice: curtains for the hall
Curtains should complement the overall design of the room, as well as emphasize the coziness and comfort that certainly reigns in this room. When choosing this interior element, you must definitely take into account the lighting of the room and its color scheme.
For this room, both shortened curtains (in variations up to the window sill) and long ones are suitable . Provided that you are the owner of a small apartment, choose curtains that match the color of the walls, because they can visually expand the room. Give preference to plain curtains or variations of them with a small pattern. Curtains decorated with ribbons will also look very interesting.
Timeless materials
If you have a Stalin-era floor, critically evaluate the condition of the parquet - as a rule, it is cheaper to restore it (sometimes it is enough to just scrape it off). Even if it looks a little older, it will only work to your advantage, because wood is one of those materials that ages gracefully. Herringbone parquet is a godsend; it will suit any interior, even if you have minimalism in mind.
The walls can be painted and decorated with framed photographs.
