Characteristic features

Colonial style is a mixture of ethnic details in one interior. Colonizers decorated their houses in the conquered territories using European elements. And on the contrary, they brought oriental notes to their homeland. At the same time, subspecies have their own characteristics depending on the country:

  • The English colonial style is distinguished by the presence of a fireplace, arched windows and doors, soft upholstery of furniture in the Indian style.
  • In the American colonial style, mansard roofs, plaster in the decoration, a minimum of relief decorations are often found.
  • The Spanish colonial style is distinguished by the active use of oriental, especially Moorish motifs.

The original colonial interior is also distinguished by common features:

  • Large windows and glass doors. The second ones should preferably overlook a beautiful garden.
  • Wooden elements. This applies to massive furniture, shutters, and doors.
  • Screens and curtains. They are usually used to zone the space.
  • Natural materials. Wood, stone, copper, clay, cotton – all this is present in the colonial style.
  • Calm shades. They form the basis, but can be diluted with bright accents. Patterns. Unusual prints are everywhere – on the floor, walls, furniture, accessories.

Colors of style

A room in a colonial style is most often light, done in pastel colors. This is due to the influence of the climate – in hot countries, such a palette is refreshing. In this case, white and other light colors of the colonial style are most often used in decoration, and dark furniture is preferred – for example, made of mahogany.

living room with yellow walls

The photo shows the colonial style in the living room interior

peach walls hall in colonial style

Colonial style in the interior also welcomes bright colors. Rich dynamic interiors were loved first of all by Europeans, for them such design was exotic. Whatever color scheme you choose, give preference to natural shades: ocher, mahogany, coral, olive, linen, almond, terracotta.

colonial style furniture Spanish style in the interior

Finishing materials

Start finishing the apartment in colonial style from the ceiling. Most often it is painted, but the use of beams is also popular. This solution looks especially good on sloping mansard roofs, but a straight ceiling will also look attractive.

The walls are also painted or wallpapered. The shade of the walls in a colonial interior is usually lighter than the furniture – they should not attract attention. Therefore, if you choose wallpaper with a pattern, let it be small and not contrasting. The philosophy of colonial houses is consistent with natural wallpaper made of bamboo or jute, as well as rattan panels.

African fresco on the wall

In the photo, a fresco on the wall behind the sofa

bright floor in the living room living room with a fireplace

The design of the floor in the colonial style depends on the room. In the living room and bedroom, it is best to make a wooden floor, in the kitchen or bathroom, lay ceramic tiles. To make an accent, use tiles with an exotic pattern.

If the room has niches or bay windows, emphasize them, this will serve as a wonderful addition to the colonial style in the interior. It is preferable to install massive interior doors, or remove them altogether and make a carved arch.

beams on the ceiling figured arch in the apartment

Furniture

The theme of natural materials flows from the decoration to the furniture. The most popular options are wood, rattan or bamboo. In this case, choose strong massive models instead of fragile and refined ones.

A wicker sofa or classic rattan chairs are suitable as upholstered furniture. Put a lot of pillows on top to emphasize the eastern side of the style.

In furniture design, you should not refuse decorations: carved elements, ethnic ornaments, flat or voluminous silhouettes are inherent in the colonial style in the interior. Animal themes are often used. They are found both in whole objects (a table in the form of an elephant) and in individual elements – paws instead of legs, heads as door handles, figurines to decorate facades.

To make the finished interior look stylish, refuse sets – mix! It is the combination of different pieces of furniture and decor that creates a unique picture and adds zest.

bamboo furniture in the living room chest in the interior backlit cabinet in the interior

The photo shows a bright backlit shelving unit

Decor, textiles, accessories

Designers advise paying the most attention to decor when creating a colonial interior. It is what gives it a special charm.

Textiles.

Window decoration also has a very pragmatic function: it protects residents of hot countries from the scorching sun that is natural for the climate of these territories. That is why wooden shutters inside houses are popular. In modern realities, replace them with wooden or bamboo blinds, roller blinds. Curtains, on the contrary, served as decor, so they were cut from expensive silk, velvet or linen.

Carpets on the floor are another calling card. Lay down an Indian one with a geometric pattern, a European one with a floral print, or replace a regular carpet with an animal skin.

Pillows and bedspreads on upholstered furniture are no less important than curtains or carpets. A combination of different materials looks best – velvet pillows with linen curtains, for example.

Plants.

The colonial style is impossible without decorative indoor plants, and the more of them, the better. The symbol of the style is the palm tree, which grows in abundance in warm African countries. In houses, they are planted in tubs and placed around the rooms.

Living decor requires attention and care, so before buying a plant, think about whether you can take care of it. If not, replace fresh flowers with artificial compositions with exotic flowers and leaves or use plant prints in textiles.

wooden ceiling in the house

The photo shows a version of decorating a sofa with skins

large plants in the house classic furniture in the living room

Accessories.

The devil is in the details and the final result directly depends on how seriously you take the choice of decorations. The accents will be:

  • porcelain vases;
  • African wall masks;
  • wooden chests;
  • mirrors in carved frames;
  • paintings with landscapes of wild nature;
  • bronze figurines;decorative plates;
  • horns and heads of animals.

carpet on the floor in the hall bright room in the living room

Lighting

One of the recognizable elements of colonial style lighting is a round chandelier with candle-shaped bulbs. They are hung in any room, from the living room to the kitchen. It is not necessary to repeat the lamp exactly, but it is better if it is metal, forged and emits warm light.

Lampshades of floor and table lamps are made of silk or linen, using both plain fabric and exotic ones.

chandelier with candles large chandelier in the bedroom fireplace in the living room

The photo shows a hall with a fireplace and bright accents

Room design options

The same colonial style is revealed in a new way in each new room.

Colonial style bathroom interior

Treated wooden and wicker furniture is not afraid of water, so it is perfect for decorating a bathroom. As decorations, put live indoor flowers and hang blinds or light tulle with an ornament on the windows.

To emphasize the style, do not forget about bright tiles – unusual patterns on ceramics will be a wonderful shade in the bathroom.

bright walls in the bathroom plants in the bathroom wooden furniture in the bathroom

The photo shows wooden furniture in the bathroom

Bedroom in colonial style

The center of any bedroom in the colonial style is the bed, it is given maximum attention – a canopy is hung, carved high posts are installed, suitable textiles are selected. A chest of drawers, a wardrobe and other cabinet furniture are preferably made of one type of wood. Tropical plants and wall decor will help to enliven the interior.

canopy bed colonial style bedroom bedroom with balcony

The photo shows bedroom furniture with carved legs

Living room interior

The main element of the room is the sofa. The soft upholstery made of fabric or leather will be complemented by an abundance of pillows. Place an original coffee table in front of the sofa.

The colonial style in the living room interior will be complemented by carved bookcases, stands with plants, animal skins or their imitation. By the way, carpets and skins are not only laid on the floor, but also used to decorate the walls.

mirrors above the sofa living room with access to the street large fireplace in the hall

In the photo, an arched window in the living room

Kitchen design

In the kitchen, decor fades into the background, giving way to reliability and ergonomics. Spacious cabinets, a durable stone countertop, a table and chairs made of natural wood are the basic furniture for a colonial-style kitchen.

A coffee table with small chairs will help add a touch of India — it is traditionally used for drinking tea or as a seating area.

kitchen with an island bright walls in the dining room white kitchen in colonial style

The photo shows a white kitchen set with balusters

Design of a study in colonial style

The main components of the work area are a table, an armchair and cabinets. It is best if they are made of solid wood or natural wood. To maintain severity and conciseness, choose leather upholstery for upholstered furniture – be it a work chair or a sofa.

wooden furniture in the office furniture for the office office in colonial style

The photo shows a leopard skin on the floor in the office