Features of decorating a country living room?
The design of a living room in the country is primarily distinguished by the fact that it is not a place of permanent residence. That is, you can afford unusual solutions and rest assured: during your vacation or weekend visits, the non-standard interior of the living room in the country house will not have time to bore you.
The second point is also related to your frequent absence: dampness, cold, dust negatively affect the condition of the finish, so you should choose high-quality materials for it, which will last for many years even in harsh conditions.
The third nuance depends on the heating and the time of use of the country house. Do you only use it in summer or do you also come in winter? In the first case, the walls and ceiling should easily survive the frost, in the second, keep in mind that natural materials will shrink and expand due to temperature changes, which can negatively affect their appearance.
The photo shows elements of country style: lace, stove, flowers
What to consider when decorating?
The decoration of the living room in the country begins with dismantling the old decoration and choosing new finishing materials. They must meet the requirements:
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Environmental friendliness. Some types of slab materials, wallpaper and plastic emit harmful substances into the air, which is unacceptable for living rooms.
- Water resistance. In conditions of climate change, condensation may form, which will damage unprotected coatings.
- Durability. You are unlikely to want to do repairs every 2-4 years. Therefore, it should serve at least 6-7 years.
- Cost-effectiveness. After all, a summer house is a temporary shelter, so investing as much money in its renovation as in an apartment is impractical.
The photo shows wooden walls and furniture in a summer house
They start the design from the very top. The most budget-friendly way to improve the ceiling is to whitewash it or paint it with waterproof paint. Wood is often used in the design of a living room at the dacha: clapboard, false beams, barn boards. Wooden beams are suitable for decoration and completing the composition. A wooden ceiling looks especially good in the styles of chalet, country (natural shades), Provence, shabby chic (painted white).
The next stage is the walls. Experts recommend discarding paper wallpaper and plasterboard (not water-resistant) at the stage of choosing materials for the living room. Acceptable options for wall decoration:
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Paint – waterproof, suitable for low temperatures;
- wallpaper – washable vinyl or natural;
- board materials – OSB, chipboard, plywood;
- mixtures – decorative plaster, microcement, liquid wallpaper;
- tiles – ceramics, porcelain stoneware, natural or artificial stone, brick;
- slatted – wooden, plastic lining.
Among these examples, you need to choose 1-3 that will completely suit the style of your future living room in a country house. The most popular due to its low price and “warmth” is the lining: it is installed vertically (makes the walls higher), horizontally (expands the space), combined with wallpaper, paint, stone, brick, tiles.
Important! Before installing wooden lining, treat the walls and the wood itself with a composition that prevents mold and mildew.
The floor is laid last. Wood and tiles are suitable as floor coverings. It is better to avoid laminate and linoleum in high humidity conditions – the laminate will swell, and fungus will form under the linoleum. From wooden ones, choose tongue and groove or parquet boards.
The photo shows a modern dacha with a fireplace
How to furnish a living room?
Many people are used to transporting furniture to the country house that they are already tired of in the apartment. In general, this is a good option for saving and reducing the amount of waste thrown out, but make sure that the interior looks stylish and is not an eclectic collection of motley items.
Very old cabinet furniture (tables, shelves, wardrobes, chests of drawers) can be restored: proper care will allow it to look better and last for many more years. It is acceptable to paint a room that does not require repair: for example, if it does not fit into the overall composition in color or you want to make a bright or dark accent.
The photo shows a living room-dining room
The main item in any room is a sofa, and a country house is no exception. You can reupholster very old models yourself or hire professionals. By reupholstering, you will not only extend the life of your upholstered furniture, but you will also be able to customize it to the style you need.
If your living room at your dacha often becomes a meeting place, complement the sofa with armchairs, poufs, and chairs to your taste.
Another essential attribute of a place to relax is a coffee table. According to the rules of ergonomics, it should be 5-10 cm lower than the seat. The size is selected based on the sofa: a tiny table will be lost next to a huge corner structure, and a massive one will look ridiculous next to a two-seater sofa.
Important! You can make furniture for your country house interior yourself: from pallets, vegetable boxes and other unnecessary containers, even from plastic bottles.
See the video for an example of a pouf.
A fireplace in the living room is not necessary, but it is highly desirable: it will give additional coziness and warmth, warm you up on a cold autumn evening, and set the right mood.
A real fireplace will require a chimney: it is laid during the construction stage. Make a corner around it, where you will be happy to come and relax after a hard day. If there is none, install an artificial one: electric or candle.
The living room in a country estate often also serves as a dining room: a table and chairs are placed between the recreation area and the kitchen, it is a kind of buffer. In addition, this layout makes it convenient to set the table — you won’t have to walk across the room with plates or cups.
The photo shows a dacha in the style of a hunting lodge
How to decorate a living room: choosing decor and textiles
To make the living room truly cozy, don’t forget about decorations. First of all, textiles: in the form of blankets and pillows on the sofa, a warm carpet on the floor, cute transparent curtains or thick curtains on the windows, a beautiful festive tablecloth on the table. All these seeming little things make your interior unlike others: homey, comfortable, stylish.
Important! Choose textiles to match the style of the room: Provence – a pattern with small flowers, country and chalet – a cage and fur, Scandi – a solid or geometric print.
The photo shows the design of the hall in a log house
The decor is also chosen depending on the style of the dacha:
- Chalet. Artificial or real animal heads and skins, wooden figurines, paintings with hunting scenes or landscapes.
- Provence. Vases with flowers, cages, watering cans, scrapbooking decorations, openwork lampshades, beautiful dishes.
- Scandi. Live plants and dead wood, wicker, textile baskets, abstract paintings, posters with flowers, macrame.
- Shabby chic. Vases and bottles, porcelain, stucco, aged decor.
What style can be used for decoration?
The style of the living room interior in the country is the starting point of the entire project. It determines the choice of finishing materials, the appearance of furniture, the layout, and the decor.
A country-style living room in the country can be found most often. It is important to distinguish between the country style with its rough but warm wood, muted tones, checkered tablecloths and the traditional Russian style (lace, embroidery, white textiles, painted wood look harmonious).
The photo shows an English style option
Living rooms in the country in light colors can be done in Scandinavian style (preferably white, beige, gray), Provence, shabby chic (white and pastel light shades). The first is more modern, the second is rustic, the third is an amazing tandem of luxury, practicality, and rural style.
The photo shows shabby chic decoration, furniture, and decor
Practical solutions for a small living room
The arrangement of a small living room in the country involves a minimal set of furniture and decor, mainly light shades, an abundance of natural light, artificial lighting.
Choose compact interior items for the furnishings: a small sofa and a couple of small armchairs will take up much less space than a huge modular sofa. The same applies to the table and other furniture – the more minimalist their design, the more space will be left in the room.
The photo shows a modern hall in the attic
Use standard techniques to increase the space in a country house:
- Reflection. Mirrors, suspended ceiling, film facades.
- Light colors. For walls, ceiling, furniture.
- Minimalism. Maximum closed storage, minimum items in sight.
- Geometry. Horizontal stripes visually increase the width of the room, make it more spacious.
The photo shows a cozy veranda space
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