How to create a country interior with a unique style?

Characteristic features

Country style originated in the early 20th century and is relevant today. Nostalgia for the homeland, grandma’s house, childhood and youth made this style popular. Russia, France, Italy, Germany, England and America have added their own twist to the interior design, but all retain its essential characteristics:

• Strict use of environmentally friendly finishing materials: ceramics, wood, stone, metal, paper;
• Genuineness and ordinariness of forms. Large windows in a wooden frame, letting in maximum light. The presence of rough shapes and lines in the decor. Massive doors, on the surface of which the natural pattern of the wood is visible.
• Simple finishing. Light matte walls, a slightly rough look of the floorboards and the presence of a fireplace or stove in the house are the main qualities of the style.
• A touch of antiquity. The interior should contain items from past years: a samovar, a candlestick, a wicker rocking chair, a mat.
• Special attention to detail. It is impossible to create a cozy atmosphere like at grandma’s without using decorative pillows, embroidered napkins, warm carpets, porcelain, ceramic and clay dishes.

Design does not tolerate luxury, as well as any elements of aristocracy. This style is the personification of home village comfort. Here, each thing performs a specific function. Therefore, it is suitable for practical and freedom-loving natures.

Country style is a salvation for those who are looking forward to the evening to relax with their family, wrapped in a warm checkered blanket. The light crackling of logs in the fireplace calms, frees from accumulated fatigue and extraneous thoughts…

Types of style

All styles reflect the rootedness in the culture of local people. But the design does not cease to combine a natural palette of shades, natural materials and ease of design.

English country style

Pragmatism, slight roughness are the special features of the English country. The interior of one room includes dining and writing tables, wardrobes and upholstered furniture of significant sizes. The image of the style is completed by wooden beams on the ceiling and animal skins on the floor or patchwork rugs. There is no stone in the interior.

Textiles are also used as upholstery. They act as a decorative element in English country – they decorate furniture, walls and even paintings.

English country is full of coziness and harmony, which is clearly visible in the photo below. Rough materials are absent in the decoration of the walls and floors. English design involves the presence of a sofa with a floral pattern, on which a brown pillow is necessarily placed.

American design

American country style is based on a love of free space. It appreciates the natural beauty of natural materials, so it is not surprising that there is brick or stonework inside. The floor is made of perfect parquet, tiles or stone are more often used.

Wood and stone look great together. But they weigh down the interior if you do not use a large number of accessories in light colors: beige, white, light brown. Large chandeliers with candlesticks, carpets with a small pile fit perfectly into the American design. Hunting trophies are always placed on the walls.

As you can see, the American and English performances of the style in the interior are different from each other.

French country

France is a country of romantics, so even the slightly pretentious French country style reflects Provence. Pastel light colors are present, yellow is rarely used. The rooms are decorated with modern furniture.

A moderate number of porcelain figurines and vases predominate, and original candlesticks are also indispensable. National Gobelins manufactories often adorn the walls. French country does not refuse to upholster furniture with various fabric materials.

Italian country

In the stylistic family, Italian country is characterized by temperament. In Italy, it involves the use of a light palette of tones: yellow, cream, light gray and brown. The walls are covered with paint. There are no massive doors. Door and window openings are decorated with arches decorated with traditional ornaments. Italians add sandstone tiles and national drawings of an olive branch or grapevine to the interior to create a calm atmosphere.

Musical instruments and paintings act as accessories. The main difference of Italian country is a slight presence of luxury. But this does not spoil the interior, on the contrary, a certain uniqueness in the tradition is visible.

Country in Russia

Russian country is impressive and mentally sends the style into the past. The walls are necessarily wooden. Our ancestors were practical people, so wood was the highest quality and most reliable material for them. Such walls will protect from the cold and withstand heavy hunting trophies: bear skin or deer antlers.

Ethnic style clothing, a tablecloth knitted according to all the canons of the Russian tradition are in the spotlight. Natural fabrics are used for upholstery of furniture and sewing snow-white pillowcases with embroidered patterns:

• wool;
• cotton;
• linen;
• burlap;
• sheepskin.

A plain fabric with a floral pattern or a checkered pattern is selected. Porcelain figurines, painted dishes and a huge samovar with bagels are a special detail of the style. A chandelier made of natural wood and glass looks great above the countertop in the kitchen. Artificial abrasions and decorative forging become the highlight of the product. It immediately brings to mind the estate of Russian emperors full of home comfort.

Keeping animals in the house is a Russian tradition. Therefore, it is worth thinking about setting aside a place for a cat. Wicker baskets for animals will not only be useful, but also look appropriate in the interior.

German country

The German style is an example of minimalism and pedantry. The interior decoration includes wooden beams located along the ceiling and one wall. A fireplace is also installed – the main piece of furniture. The German version of the direction assumes the presence of forged items in the furniture range. Ceramic or clay vases with artificial flowers are placed on the windows.

The house is fully equipped with modern household appliances. All interior elements are strictly in their place to maintain perfect order.

When choosing a color palette, preference is given to warm tones to create the effect of free space. Such colors include:

• beige;
• cream;
• ivory;
• chocolate shade;
• brown;
• shades of wood.

Various stucco moldings, voluminous cornices and a large amount of textiles are absent from the interior. In this way, the atmosphere of balance and tranquility is maintained.

Mediterranean country

It is distinguished by its color scheme:

• blue-light blue;
• beige-brown;
• shades of green;
• terracotta;
• a little black.

Preference is given to light-colored furniture. Forged objects of dark tones play the role of room decoration. There is also textile with a simple striped pattern. Instead of figurines, corals, shells, and pellets are placed on the shelves. The use of high-quality natural materials in decoration is adhered to.

Suitable color scheme

The colors used when decorating an apartment in a country style should convey unity with nature:

• soft shades of autumn foliage;
• green;
• terracotta;
• sand;
• olive;
• creamy;
• blue;
• dark blue;
• beige.

The task of the style is to create a cozy warm atmosphere, so there should be no flashy tones. To choose the right palette, imagine a flowering field.

The selected colors should be used in strict proportions. Country style does not tolerate the dominance of any shade. Neutral colors are used for the floor, ceiling and walls, and the contrast appears against their background.

I suggest considering the color scheme for modern and traditional country style:

• The palette for modern design is suitable for interiors with a large free space. It consists of tones of a flower bed: blue, cornflower, delicate rose, green apple. The basis can be shades of wood, and textiles with a geometric pattern serve as decor.
• The palette of the traditional style is used for a living room furnished with dark wooden furniture and decorated with light textiles. Look at the photo below.

Attention! Don’t be afraid to use your boundless imagination, remembering the golden rule – no more than three colors in one room!

Finishing materials

Only natural materials that are environmentally friendly are used in arranging a home nest. It is beautiful and safe for health. Only high-quality imitation is welcome. In a country style, the walls do not have a perfectly flat surface. Therefore, preference is given to materials with a rough texture.

• The walls are covered with decorative plaster, vinyl wallpaper, or simply painted in one color. The wallpaper may have patterns on geometric or plant themes. The alternation of decorative plaster and brickwork looks beautiful and lively.
• For the floor, it is better to choose laminate or parquet that imitates wood. Stone or tile coverings are also suitable. The floor surface should be washed matte. You can place rugs made of straw or reed, homespun rugs on it.
• Painting the ceiling white and distributing roughly processed wooden beams on it is an ideal option. Remember that stretch and plasterboard structures do not fit into the rustic style.
• Metal-plastic windows and doors will spoil the overall picture of the interior. Metal-plastic products will help to get out of the situation. They have a frame surface and externally imitate natural wood. You can order such windows and doors from any manufacturer. Be sure to say that you would like to imitate small defects in the material and add a slight roughness. Suitable colors for such structures: dark blue, brown, green.

Attention! You should avoid glossy and shiny surfaces. This is already a sign of luxury – it is inappropriate in this style.

What to consider when choosing furniture and appliances?

Country style welcomes massive wooden furniture. Upholstered furniture is covered with natural knitwear or leather. I like the furnishings that combine wood and forged elements. This combination visually enlarges small rooms.

New cabinet furniture is often given a vintage look or tidied up with the inheritance from grandmothers. Sideboards, wicker chairs, shelves, poufs and chests of drawers fit perfectly into the kitchen interior – this can be seen in the photo below. Country style furniture has the following qualities:

• restraint, simplicity;
• artificial aging, slight roughness;
• no gloss.

Country style furniture is not difficult to find, but you will have to solve the problem with household appliances. Will you really have to give up your usual comfort? There is no need for this, because it can be hidden behind blank facades. Nowadays, there are plenty of manufacturers offering built-in household appliances. It will not be possible to disguise a hob, oven, or hood. Therefore, they will have to be purchased in a retro design, fortunately, large manufacturers have already taken care of this.

Attention! A room in country style should always be filled with light to add more comfort. Therefore, for small rooms it is better to buy chairs and tables with forged legs.

Suitable decor and textiles

The country style implies the presence of a large number of textiles and decorative items in the apartment. The table and chest of drawers are necessarily covered with a tablecloth. Warm blankets with geometric patterns decorate the beds, armchairs, and sofa. The curtains are devoid of flashy colors, but this is compensated by lush ruffles and lambrequins. The floor is decorated with fabric or pile carpets.

Attention! If the textiles are decorated with an ornament, they should match the pattern on the curtains, upholstery, and lace tablecloths.

Inseparable elements of decor that reflect the rustic style in the interior:

• landscapes in paintings and old photos;
• painted ceramic dishes and porcelain figurines;
• wall/floor clocks or candlesticks;
• embroidery on bedspreads, pillows and indoor flowers in flowerpots.

What not to forget when organizing lighting?

Lighting should lie calmly and be warm. Huge forged chandeliers are usually placed in the center of the ceiling. Small lamps with lampshades are installed on cabinets and chests of drawers. Next to the sofa by the fireplace there is almost always a floor lamp. Such local distribution of lighting fixtures provides a certain direction of illumination, creates a calm atmosphere in the house and is an accent of the recreation area.

Models of lighting fixtures suitable for a country interior:

• Large chandeliers with a wooden or metal frame. Candle-shaped lampshades or lampshades in the form of an antique lamp look beautiful. Chains and woven ropes are used as decoration.
• Pendant lamps on one platform with any number of lampshades. A product reminiscent of an old-style lantern will do.
• You can’t do without table lamps with stained glass patterns. The ideal option is a lamp with a trapezoidal lampshade made of frosted glass or textile.
• A floor lamp on a high metal leg. The fabric lampshade creates a soft, diffused light.

Recommendations for room decoration

Country style is the most connected with nature. Plastic and chrome products are not allowed. Interior details are different in each room:

The living room is a meeting place for the whole family and receiving guests. It must have a large table and a massive sofa with lots of pillows, proudly located next to the window. The main accent of the recreation area is the fireplace and the carpet.

The bedroom must be cozy. In the center of the room there is a large bed with a high headboard, along the edges of which there are nightstands. Beautiful textiles with a rustic pattern will make the bedroom beautiful and cozy.

Country style is ideal for decorating an office. After all, it is characterized by modesty, which sets the mood for work.

The kitchen space should combine functionality, practicality and convenience. Dining tables made of natural wood or tiles, a massive kitchen set, open shelves with dishes, soft cushions on the chairs will help with this.

Serving items and potholders are stored in plain sight. The kitchen decoration can combine natural colors: blue and beige. This color scheme improves appetite and does not depress.

The bathroom decoration is also based on the use of natural light materials. Ceramic tiles and stone can be used for the floor. Large gray stone will look exquisite in the design of the walls. Wicker laundry baskets serve as a decor for the bathroom. An open carved shelf is hidden behind a chintz fabric “in a cage”, curtains with a floral print are also suitable.

Attention! The use of natural materials is the main condition of country. The floor can be covered with ordinary boards, without using tiles, so it will look expensive. Even the owners of country cottages do not refuse wide floorboards, choosing this direction.

Do not forget about the hallway, because this is where the house begins. It is important to emphasize from the very beginning that the interior is filled with coziness and warmth – and pillows and paintings will help us with this.

As for the children’s room, the versatility of the country style does not end here. You can easily choose both environmentally friendly materials and delicate textiles. And complement everything with decorative elements that set the overall mood.

Country in the interior of the apartment is not tied to changing fashion or fleeting trends. It reflects the tastes of the owners, their inner state. The most important thing is that it is timeless, which means it is always relevant. These are the main advantages that are undeniable. My recommendations will help you achieve the desired results.