The apartment as an art object: trends in modern design

An apartment is the same space for creativity as a stage or canvas. We have already learned to live in comfort more or less. It remains to learn how to live beautifully, and no matter where - in Khrushchev or in an elite new building - how important it is!

If we are talking about typical apartments of Soviet buildings (starting from the 60s), then here any designer solves at least 2 tasks:

- a small kitchen (usually from 6 to 10 sq. M.);

- A small combined bathroom (often less than 3 square meters).

Plus, of course, the modest total area of ​​the apartment itself, where every centimeter is important. But the indisputable advantage of such layouts is their typical character. For two decades of work, techniques have already been worked out by designers. Arches in the kitchen, demolition of the "extra" partitions, successful color schemes, multifunctional modular furniture and wardrobes make it possible to turn the smallest apartment into a comfortable home.

portfolioApartments in modern houses can be of different layouts. In large cities, mini-apartments and studio apartments ranging from 10 to 25 square meters are increasingly found. m. They are one room in which along the wall they equip a mini-kitchen, in the corner near the entrance there is a small (no more than 3 sq. m.) bathroom. The central part of the room serves as a living room, and on the second tier there is a sleeping place (no more than half of the total area of ​​the room). Such apartments are especially popular among young people and are often used for rental to students. This is a modern and comfortable alternative to a classic communal apartment with a shared bathroom and kitchen.

If we consider the options for high-grade apartments, then today the norm for developers is a one-room apartment of 40 sq. M., One-bedroom apartment - of 60 sq. M. Three-, four-room apartments and apartments with a large number of rooms do not have area standards. In apartments of economy class and comfort, layouts with a kitchen-dining room or kitchen-living room are popular.

In an apartment with 2 or more rooms, layouts with two bathrooms are not uncommon. In the premium segment, two- or even three-level apartments are popular. And increasingly, developers are renting houses with the so-called free-planning apartments, without interior partitions, leaving room for future residents to construct the space.

The design of modern apartments increasingly gravitates to functionality. That is, if there is a choice - to make one large room with several areas or two or three small ones (bedroom, living room, study), then, most likely, there will be zoning.

There are several options for how to do this:

- screens, racks, cabinets, any mobile partitions, wall structures of an unusual shape or even a fireplace;

- color: when parts of a room are decided in different, often contrasting, colors;

- lighting (both artificial and natural).

Below in the photo, the dining room and living room are highlighted in separate zones. The rest of the room is located opposite one window, and the dining room is opposite the other. A fireplace and a television act as binders between the zones, the original lamp-frame above the dining table effectively distinguishes this part of the room, preventing it from merging with the rest of the space.

In the following photo, effective zoning emphasizes the advantages of a modern interior. A luxurious carpet highlights the living area, light techniques accentuate the attention of guests and hosts on exquisite decor and furniture: exclusive tables, glamorous abstraction, noble gray textured brick wall. Spot lighting in the living room smoothly goes into the kitchen, unobtrusively combining both zones.But at the same time, the angular protrusion of the contrasting white tone and the separate kitchen lighting delicately limit them from each other.

In modern design, there are no "inappropriate" colors. Certain restrictions exist only for children's rooms. It is unlikely that anyone would want to design a child’s room in black or brown. The rest is complete freedom. Modern design works with the whole spectrum. Of course, traditions gravitate towards light, pastel colors. It is always popular because it is simple and clear.

The use of light shades allows you to visually expand the space.

Dark colors win in spacious rooms.

Some styles - especially glamor, avant-garde and fusion like experimenting with color. Functionality is not particularly important here. In the first place - the impression made, the details, the ability to combine incongruous and kitsch elements. It would seem that the unusual contrasts of forms and textures, colors, styles, clearly contrary to traditional classics, can create such a decor composition that will dictate a new fashion of modern design.

In the modern interior, there is a tendency to use natural materials. Although linoleum, laminate, artificial carpets, vinyl wallpapers are still popular, but natural wood, cork and bamboo conquer more and more square meters in homes. The popularity of synthetic finishing materials is determined primarily by accessibility: there are many of them and they are cheap. Natural materials are on the market in limited quantities. Some of them are delivered only on order and are much more expensive.

Popular styles in design - loft, country, Provence, English, Scandinavian - also determine the choice of materials. In the English style, wood, natural fabrics, carpets, leather will dominate; in the loft style - stone, metal; in country, provence and scandinavian styles - wood and also natural fabrics.

Now the fashionable trend of modern interiors is increasingly the elements of incompleteness in decoration, a certain understatement in the visual perception of objects. This design is perfect for extraordinary personalities, prone to change and experimentation. The peculiar simplicity of design in the future will make it possible to embody a lot of interesting ideas for emotional fidgets - an original mural, an artist's painting, a charming sculpture or even a small fireplace.

Lighting in the apartment simultaneously performs several functions:

1. actually illuminates, allowing residents to comfortably do their own thing;
2. allocates a certain zone in a large space (as previously);
3. performs decorative tasks (lighting furniture, niches, bathtubs, ceilings);
4. complements the interior (due to the design solution of lamps, lamps, chandeliers).

By activating lighting on all three levels, you can achieve amazing results.

Here is an example of how the use of ceiling lights gave the interior of the room dynamism.

Although very often, designers refuse the decorative functions of luminaires and lamps, choosing unobtrusive spot lighting.

If the design of the apartment is not a stylization, then the furniture in such an interior will be quite simple and functional. The main trend in modern furniture: simple lines (tables, cabinets, cabinets) and ergonomics (chairs, armchairs).

What is intended for relaxation is made as convenient as possible for the human body. Beds are a separate issue, in them the main function is performed by a mattress, which does not affect the style of the interior. And what should create a complete image is made concisely, simply, without unnecessary bends and decorative elements.

The style that modern design gravitates to is minimalism. But this does not mean that such an interior is completely devoid of original details. Another thing is what is their number per square meter.You can add variety to the design of the bedroom by choosing a bed of a non-standard shape - round or oval.

For the living room, you can choose a couple of coffee tables that can be in harmony, for example, with paintings on the wall, like here.

Window decoration in a modern design completely eliminates pompous curtains and lambrequins. Open apertures will fill the house with natural sunlight and the beauty of the surrounding nature, and lightweight panels made from natural fabrics will become a harmonious complement to the style.

In the following photos, interesting and original versions of the modern interior have been successfully selected. Orange armchairs on one panel, laconic design of floor lamps, the characteristic geometry of the shapes of furniture and decor, stylized figurines will certainly play a role in giving it completeness and perfection.

A modern interior can be anything. Thanks to a change in layout, lighting options, various materials, a variety of furniture and color schemes, you can make your apartment a space of creativity and comfort.