Category: Living room

How to use a curtain as a room divider

January 29, 2023 Ford Jenkins

If you live in a studio apartment, a house with spacious rooms or just want to room divider a large living space into zones, you will probably like the idea of easy and quick zoning with textile curtains.

If you think that the partition curtain is a new trend in interior design, you are very wrong. Even in peasant huts, and later in communal apartments, where large families lived in one room, this method of dividing the space into zones was used.

In many country and country houses textile curtains are still used as interior doors.

But even in a modern urban apartment, renovated according to the latest interior fashion, partition curtains will look appropriate and very effective.

Of course, they do not provide noise insulation, but they perform the zoning function perfectly and make the room more comfortable.

Another plus of this way of dividing the space is that, if the need for dividing the space disappears, the curtain can always be removed.

Where will we hang it?

A textile partition is a great solution in the following cases:

in a studio apartment, when it is necessary to hide the bed from prying eyes or to separate from the “adult” area the place for children’s games: then before the arrival of guests you will not even have to remove toys;
in the living room, if there is a need to equip an office or a sensory corner, where everyone in the family can relax and unwind;
in living-dining rooms, curtains are used to separate the TV and dining areas;
In the bedroom, to cover the bed from all sides. This will create a sense of security and intimacy;
in a one-room apartment – if you need to separate personal space for all members of a large family.
In addition, thick curtains can serve as doors in built-in closets-counter or closets.

Color and material

Of course, a partition curtain should fit perfectly into the interior and harmoniously complement it, and not draw unnecessary attention to itself. That is why such curtains are sewn from monochrome fabrics – they look stylish and noble, while multicolored will look garish in this case.

As for the material, then everything depends on the task that the curtain performs.

If it is destined to clearly delineate the space, we use dense curtain fabrics that do not let the light pass through.

If the zones need only to be marked, and the function of the curtains is rather decorative, then they are sewn from light translucent materials or use thread blinds.

As a rule, partition curtains are fixed on the usual ceiling ledges. The less prominent the curtain rod, the better, so it is better to choose a version without baguettes and in the same color scheme with the ceiling.

The fabric that serves as a door in the closet, pantry or closet can be hung on wooden or metal rings, which will move on the ledge of the same material.

It is important that the curtain slides easily and freely along the curtain track: its ease of use depends on it. The curtain should obediently move with a light movement of the hand.

Recommendations from the designers

You don’t need to make the curtains intended for zoning the space heavier by means of lambrequins and unnecessary drapery.
Ideally, the curtain should reach to the floor, but not lie on it, so the measurements before sewing need to be done very meticulously, literally to the millimeter. Keep in mind that some fabrics (linen, wool) give shrinkage after washing.
It is very desirable (and in living rooms and studios – obligatory) that the curtain is double, i.e. both its sides are frontal, and the seams are hidden inside. Then the fabric partition will look aesthetically pleasing on both sides.
Many people reject the idea of zoning the space with curtains because fabric collects dust.

But, agree, window curtains, bedspreads, covers on upholstered furniture and carpets are also “dust collectors”, but we don’t refuse to use them, we just wash and clean them in time.

We need to do the same with curtains-partitions – and there will be no “extra” dust in the house!

Categories: Bedroom Living room

How to use a room divider

January 29, 2023 Ford Jenkins

There are many reasons for room divider living space. Often it is necessary to separate a place to sleep in a one-room apartment, or in a large living room you need to arrange for each person to have their own corner of rest or work area. Or you just need to divide the room into two zones. Zoning a room with a partition creates a special light design of the room without heavy clutter.

Aesthetics, dynamics and practicality – that’s the motto under which the room is transformed. If you decide to divide the room into children’s and adult zones, partitions are also an excellent solution, children can then play in peace or do homework. If there are two children, over time, each of them will need their own territory, with the help of zoning and partitions to divide one room into two. When an adult and a child live in the same room and in addition of different sexes there is a need to make partitions for zoning space in the room.

Isolated rooms with the help of partitions

Plasterboard partition for zoning the room performs a radical function, it may well replace a brick wall, if you are not very concerned about soundproofing. Such a partition can be installed on a metal frame, wallpaper, paint, hang a picture. It is worth noting that if necessary, it is quite easy to remove such a wall. For a permanent wall, it is better to use various blocks, bricks, which are laid on the mortar, but in this case we already get full-fledged rooms.

When there is no possibility or desire to do something thorough, portable structures can help. They can consist of several sections fastened together. They can be easily moved, moved and dismantled. Sliding doors, partitions successfully divide kitchen or bar from living room, bedroom from office or lounge, dining room from living room.

Variants of mobile partitions

Variants of partitions for zoning rooms are different, can be glass or made of laminate. They are functional and beautiful. Their convenience is that the zones can be made open if necessary, creating the right atmosphere in the house.

Racks

Racks to divide the room into zones look good in a modern interior. Open shelves, on which you can place various souvenirs and necessary things, create lightness, do not clutter the space. For small rooms it is just a godsend. By making the bottom closed, certain things are stowed there, replacing the closet, saving space.

Racks for zoning the room does not have to be high, up to the ceiling. A lower one separates the zones, and at the same time leaves a sense of space. If the room has only one window, you can separate the zone with a translucent shelving unit, equipped with lighting. This type of partition is versatile, made of metal or wood, bamboo, rattan or rice paper, suits any style of room. It is affordable and easy to maintain and assemble.

Furniture

By arranging furniture in a certain way, the room is perceived differently. Putting a sofa and a table at the side of the entrance or opposite the fireplace, the TV, creates a cozy atmosphere of relaxation. Dividing the room into zones is possible with consoles, bar counters and dressers. The sofa and the table behind it are a good way to divide the space for rest and work. This option is convenient and does not require monetary costs, the rearrangement can be done at any time.

The screen

A great option is a screen, carries out the division of the room into zones. It is not very difficult to make their own hands, you will need:

Racks;
Nails;
Hammer;
Corners;
Cloth.

Connect the slats to each other in the form of a frame, stretch the material on them, securing with small nails, you get a panel, fasten them with corners. The screen can be done with or without feet. The fabric is selected taking into account the style of the room, linen, silk, cotton with different colors and patterns is suitable. Such a partition will be enough to separate the chair and floor lamp, getting a place for relaxation, reading books. The other part of the room will look solid. If necessary, the screen can be removed, moved to another place, it is mobile.

Curtains

Curtains to divide the room into zones have the same function. The division with curtains saves space and creates a romantic atmosphere. The idea can be realized by your own efforts and for little money. To fix the curtains you will need a curtain rod installed at the place of zoning. With their help divides the room completely or partially, with a hint that there is another zone.

In the living room, a canopy separates the sleeping place, creating a fairy-tale effect. In any room, a working space is created, the options can be temporary and permanent, there are many. By changing the curtains, the appearance is renewed easily and quickly. Double curtains, from a material of different colors on each side denotes, for example, the bedroom with gentler shades and the living room with a bright color.

In addition to traditional curtains are used:

beads;
gauze;
wooden;
glass;
crystal;
bamboo.

With their help, functional zoning is carried out without architectural elements.

Other separation options

In addition to those presented above, there are other types of partitions for zoning the space in the room. Using the color of decorative plaster or paint, you can highlight the functional zone. Using wallpaper of different shades and textures can clearly delineate the space. Light or dark shades are put accents. In the kitchen-dining room, a bright wall near the dining area will add coziness and warmth. A wall with drawings in the children’s room will indicate the play area.

Is there a niche in the room? Let’s put a table there and with the help of the right color wallpaper we’ll get a cabinet. In the zoning the light plays a huge role. Spot lights, floor lamps, artificial and natural lighting allows you to avoid a global redevelopment. One chandelier can unite the entire space, and directed light sconces to put an emphasis, literally turn on or off a certain place, to divide the room into two zones.

In today’s interior, LED strips effectively delineate the space. Safety and reliability allows for use in hard-to-reach places. Mirrors, pictures with backlighting put accents, attract attention. A catwalk, especially with lighting, is an excellent zoning tool, the main thing is to correctly match its size with the proportions of the room.

Floor coverings, carpets clearly delineate the space, but in this case there will not be a sense of privacy. With proper zoning, you can implement the idea of placing several rooms in one.

Categories: Bedroom Living room

How to decorate your family room in Victorian design

January 29, 2023 Ford Jenkins

Decorating your family room in a Victorian style can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Victorian design is all about creating an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication, while still being comfortable and inviting for guests and family. The key to achieving a successful Victorian-style family room is to mix traditional elements with modern touches. This will give your family room an updated look while still keeping it true to the Victorian era.

The Victorian era, Alice in Wonderland and a little historical sketch

The reign of Queen Victoria (empress of Britain, India and Ireland, yes, they had that too) lasted almost 64 years and went down in history as the Victorian Era. The tectonic shifts that occurred during this time in the minds of the masses cannot even be roughly compared to any other period in history. The Industrial Revolution, the development of transport and the emergence of new professions changed Britain and the world forever: educated women went to work, Lewis Carroll invented the Mad Hatter and Alice, and the first homeless shelters opened in London. They were, by the way, for a fee.

The British middle class was not just born, it became dominant on the social map of the state. Society was dominated by the values of the bourgeoisie – piety, industriousness, unassumingness. And, of course, greed and hypocrisy, of course.

The middle class was shaping the environment for itself, and Queen Victoria only went along with it: as an exceptionally restrained woman, after the death of her husband she gave up the excesses and reduced her lifestyle to functional minimalism. So it happened that the Victorian style in the interior has become a reflection of the difficult era – not a synthetic invention of graduate designers, but an enduring part of life for millions of people in the most powerful country of the XIX century.

The main features of the Victorian style are:

large windows, perhaps with stained glass windows;
furniture made of precious wood, made to last a century;
a wooden floor, preferably oak;
massive chandeliers and framed mirrors;
metal wrought iron elements.

In an apartment, of course, this is not particularly repeatable, but there is no need: a modern view of the Victorian style involves combining it with other elements. The main thing is to do it correctly.

The base: walls, shades, floor, ceiling

In a true Victorian home, there are three completely white things: the ceiling, the bedding and the hostess’s apron. If the latter is a matter of taste, the ceilings are really best left white – flight, height, contact with higher powers, finally.

Technically, the walls can also be white, but the classic Victorian style is wood paneling up to the shoulder of a person of average height, above which is either whitewash or paint. Use this tipster at least in the hallway and kitchen. In the bedroom, you can put wallpaper, but with themed patterns – medallions, heraldic lilies or small panels. Perfect looks in a modern apartment Victorian accent – one wall, decorated in the right way.

Main shades:

Natural for furniture, flooring and paneling: mahogany, rosewood, at most oak or cherry.
For upholstery and textiles: dark and noble shades of blue, brown, green with the inclusion of sandy, beige, pale yellow. Curtains should be light or transparent, not layered, without drapes.

The mirror should impress

Nothing sets the mood in the apartment like a spectacular mirror. We recommend and even insist: the centerpiece of a Victorian interior in a small space is a properly chosen mirror. This is important, pay attention to the frame, shape and accompany it with a vintage truce. Or play up the contrast and put something in a modern utilitarian-minimalist style next to it.

Bedroom

Despite society’s reigning puritanism and a rampant Anglican church, the British of Queen Victoria’s era treated the bedroom with reverence.

Important:

The bed should be large, tall, preferably with featherbeds and bedspreads to the floor.
A tall frame and alcove are a must.
Around the bed bright shades are not welcome.
The bed must have stitched lace, preferably in the decoration of the bed linen and pillows.
The British did not keep mirrors in the bedroom.

In a modern apartment, where there is never enough space, you can add some Victorian style to the bedroom with a shaped or suede headboard. Keep a balance and don’t go overboard! It’s better to be modest than to shift toward gypsy baroque.

Emphasis on furniture

If you’re not drawn to antiques (and you should be), catch some great tips to help you choose the perfect furniture for a modern apartment with a touch of Victorian style:

You don’t have to have all the furniture in the house in the same style, eclectic is trending.

The dining table should impress, be solid wood, not flashy and heavy.

Buy three or four raw rustic style stools, they can be used in the bathroom or kitchen.

Look in salons for some tables and chairs with bent legs in the master Gumbs style, put them under the walls, let them dilute the living room.

A rocking chair near the fireplace is a Victorian classic.

If the apartment has a workroom, pay special attention to the desk. It should look representative and impressive, like a family treasure. So you’ll want to look inside it for a drawer with a secret drawer, which stores secret maps and documents.

Lights

There’s no truly Victorian style without the right light fixtures: a floor lamp near a chair, round lamps in the kitchen and a chandelier in the living room. Although modern trends allow you to drag a chandelier into the bedroom – it’s a little more bohemian, but it’s still quite Victorian.

Victorian style in the interior is beautiful, especially if done with intelligence and feeling. Remember, however, that there is no place for plastic and shiny polyester textures in such a home, and details for room decorations can take years to collect.

Categories: Living room

How to design a basement family room

January 29, 2023 Ford Jenkins

Designing a basement family room can be a fun and rewarding experience. A basement space can provide a great opportunity to create a comfortable and functional living area that adds value to your home and provides a space for family and friends to enjoy. When designing a basement family room, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind.

Wonderful basement room interiors are useful to all private homeowners. Do you need more storage space for rarely used items? Or lacking another full-fledged room?

To begin with, you need to decide what you need it for. Will it be a comfortable room for out-of-town guests, a place to meet with friends, or an additional nursery? Whatever you decide, basement renovations will be more costly and complicated than in other parts of the house, as construction work is often left unfinished in it.

Regardless of the size and lightness of your basement, we can help you create a room that you’ll want to spend as much time there as possible. Below you’ll find 25 great ways to make the most of your space.

Draw a detailed plan

Once you’ve decided on the purpose of your basement and your budget, you should think hard about the layout.

If you want to set up a guest room, it makes sense to add a bathroom, which will also require a proper plan.

If the room is quite large, it can be divided into several rooms of different purposes. But even if you have a small basement, it can be made multifunctional by thinking through the options in advance.

Use neutral colors

Saturated, bold colors draw attention and add expression to the interior. But they also make the room visually smaller.

If you decorate the basement in this way, the ceiling will seem lower, and the walls will squeeze the space. In order to expand it, it is better to rely on light neutral colors, such as gray, beige, white. Large-size furniture should be chosen in the same color scheme. Bright colors and style will add accessories, cushions, curtains, mats and vases.

More open space

If the basement is small, try to leave it as open as possible without unnecessary walls and partitions. Use color and decor to create a multifunctional space.

For example, on one side can be a large rug marked adult seating area, with the ability to adjust the brightness of the lighting. And on the other side, a creative workshop with a wide, sturdy table, shelves, and brighter light.

Maximum light

Basement windows are always much smaller than usual because the room is partially or completely underground. Not only will a well-lit room seem larger, but you won’t notice the lack of windows in it.

Of course, recessed lighting saves space, but your ceiling may be too narrow, or your budget is limited. Then you need to use the walls and floor – decorate them with hanging candlesticks, table lamps and floor lamps. You can think about hanging mirrors to reflect the light.

Select functional cabinets

Despite the high goals, it often happens that the main purpose of the basement, becomes the storage of things.

Prepare for the latter option in advance: plan cabinets from ceiling to floor to make the most efficient use of the space. Buy furniture with a lift top, in which you can put things. You can set aside some part of the basement for storage, separating it from the rest of the space with a wall painted the same color as the main room.

Categories: Basement Living room

How to design a family room with a fireplace

January 29, 2023 Ford Jenkins

Fireplace in the living room – a modern interpretation of the hearth, a source of heat and an important component of home comfort. Therefore, it is not surprising that many people want to complement the interior of their living room with a stylish fireplace.

1. Fireplace room in the style of American classics

Living room with a fireplace room in the style of American classics with traditionally decorated white walls and a fireplace of gray marble – a standard of respectability. The designers decided to emphasize the importance of the hearth in the interior with the help of patinated mirror tiles, which decorate the wall above the portal. The result was a beautiful vertical that visually increased the height of the fireplace. “Extend” the composition helps and Italian design floor lamp of golden color.

2: Bio fireplace in a modern duplex apartment

In the light modern living room in the photo, a fireplace built into a high dark portal with an imitation of a chimney plays the role of interior dominant. It runs on biofuel, and a vertical fireplace near the firebox is purely decorative and gives the design additional aesthetic value.

3: Electric fireplace with wood imitation

Slabs of ancient trees and phytomodules with stabilized moss illuminated by LEDs are an ideal setting for a modern fireplace with a glass front panel. This composition looks very decorative and is the main decoration of the fusion living room in the photo.

4: Electric fireplace in a classic living room

Classic fireplace in a marble portal is perfectly combined with a bronze fireplace clock and forged accessories. Around this interior dominant, and at the same time TV-zone of the living room, builds a symmetrical composition of paired antique cabinets. Complementing the classic entourage is a soft sofa group with pouffe and serving table, as well as a charming reading area with a floor lamp by the window.

5. English classic style fireplace

Fireplace area of the living room is one of the main components of respectable coziness of English classic style interiors. In modern urban apartments this corner will be a favorite place for relaxation, intimate conversations and evening reading in a soft chair by the fire. English check wallpaper, a portrait of queen and traditional decor of the mantelpiece would give this place a special charm and appeal.

6. Neoclassical fireplace in a white portal

The typical neoclassical light palette including milky, cream and blue hues created the perfect entourage for the fireplace in a laconic portal of white marble with a wrought iron grille. The designers completed it with stylish accessories, and on the mantelpiece they organized a mini-gallery with dear to the heart photos of the owners.

7. A minimalistic electric fireplace in the TV-zone

Electric fireplace is probably the safest solution for TV-zone with an abundance of equipment. Imitation of a hot flame in a minimalistic dark gray portal will bring liveliness and a bright color accent to the strict and technological interior of the living room.

8. Loft style fire line

Suspended linear bio fireplace with a live fire looks advantageous in combination with vintage red brick. The flame emphasizes the relief of the wall and harmonizes well with the lights above the staircase. And you can look at the fire from both the guest area and the kitchen behind the sofa.

9. Fireplace room with aristocratic grunge library

The living room, decided in the aristocratic interpretation of grunge style, with a bright personality and exclusive details deserves the best fireplace. Therefore, the authors of the project chose a large wood-burning fireplace with red textured brick facing as the main character of the interior. And complemented the composition with exclusive clocks, handmade fireplace accessories and a metal mantelpiece sheet.

10. Living room with a chalet-style fireplace

It’s hard to imagine a cozier interior than a chalet-style living room with a fluffy hide rug, brutal wood beams and a large wood-burning fireplace built into a partition. Thanks to the tunnel fireplace, the fire can be admired from the living room and from the private sitting area, which is located in the far side of the room. And the candles on the mantelpiece will help to increase the feeling of warmth.

11. Fireplace, built into the TV partition

A lot of wood, live fire and phyto wall – the interior of the kitchen-living room in eco-style is harmonious and functional. A fireplace partition with hanging shelving effectively separates the kitchen area and is a key design element. And around this style-forming structure, a natural and convenient traffic zone is formed, allowing quick access from the living room to the kitchen part with a mini-dining room.

Categories: Living room