An American-style living room is considered one of the most common ways to decorate this room in a modern apartment or country house. At the same time, despite its name, this style of interior design is used not only in the United States, but also around the world. In any case, it retains the name "American living room" even when it is used in a Russian province that has nothing to do with America.
If you ask the question of what the American style of space design is, then the American-style living room in the photo has elements of such styles as pop art and loft. Therefore, it can be considered a mix created from European design styles, taking into account overseas features. This circumstance should always be remembered when starting to decorate the living room in American style.
In the American style, you can see the features of the loft, English, French and other stylesStudying the interior of the living room in the style of American classics in the photo, its following features can be noted:
The main feature of the described style is the widespread use of elements of other design styles. This circumstance is connected with the fact that the United States is a country that appeared as a result of migration to the North American continent of numerous groups of immigrants from European countries. They brought their culture and their perception of room design. As a result, a design style of the interior appeared, which incorporated elements of both English country, French Provence or international modernity.
Living room design in American style
The living room, made in an American design style, in the photo the interior is quite simple. So, for example, the floor here is usually made of planks or dark parquet. If you are going to use laminate for the sake of economy, it should only be of high quality and look like natural wood. It is worth noting the fact that the American classics do not accept carpets, so you either leave the floor uncovered, or put animal skins or their imitation on it.
Walls in this style of interior design usually have a light tone. At the same time, it is not prohibited to paste over the walls with wallpaper, which should be monochromatic and not have a complex texture and abstract patterns. Maximum simplicity is the foundation of the American classic. Bright upholstery of upholstered furniture looks great against the background of a neutral color.
The best American-style living rooms can be decorated with combined wallpaper. To do this, some of them are glued horizontally, and some - vertically. Very often, wallpapers of one color are glued to one wall, and wallpapers of other colors are glued to others. In country English, for example, this is impossible to imagine.
Very often, the design of the living room in the American style in the photo contains elements of the loft design style. Typically, such elements consist in the use to one degree or another of imitations of brickwork. So, for example, when the walls of the living room are built of red brick, it is enough just to remove the excess layer of plaster and expose the brick. At the same time, no other design techniques are required to create loft-style design elements.
In the case when the walls of the living room are made of a different material, you can imitate brickwork using "flexible stone". From a technical point of view, this finishing material is a thin cut of natural brick fixed on a flexible special base. As a result, such a "brick" can be fixed on a surface erected from almost any building material. This finish is lightweight and looks 100% natural.
As for the ceiling, the photo shows that the design of the living room in the American style is characterized by painting the ceiling plane in white. White is in any case dominant in this style of interior design, but it is necessary to observe the measure. If you overdo it with this color, the room will look too empty and unsettled.
Features of the interior of the living room in the American style
The interior of the American classic is characterized by the fact that its color palette does not gravitate towards any one color. At the same time, any tones can be used to decorate the room, for example, light or bright, there are no restrictions on the combination of certain colors. The main thing is that such a combination does not contradict the taste of the owner of the living room.
If we talk about the most preferred colors, then they should be light. It is easy to apply bright and contrasting design elements to such walls, for example, for zoning a room. At the same time, experienced designers usually try to use no more than two colors in the design of living rooms.
Despite the fact that this style of interior design welcomes experiments with color, there are still some points that must be considered when creating an American living room design. So, the color palette here should be psychologically comfortable for both the owners and guests of the room in everything you need to observe the measure and try not to combine the incongruous.
For example, it is strictly forbidden to oversaturate the interior of the room with bright colors, for example, such as emerald, red, yellow and blue. The fact is that the named colors can significantly spoil the entire design composition and have an annoying effect on the human psyche. In order for the room not to look too dark and gloomy, black or dark brown is not used in large quantities in the American living room.
Gray is not recommended in this case, as it causes depression. Even such a beloved color as white, if used unsuccessfully, can seriously ruin the look of the American living room. So, for example, a large amount of it can cause undesirable associations with a hospital. To prevent this from happening, experienced interior designers advise to dilute it with other shades, for example, milky, olive or beige.
When it comes to the use of modern elements, the American style of interior design encourages their use. Therefore, some elements of modernity, for example, decorative plastic elements, are appropriate here. In any case, they should fit into the general feeling of simplicity and provinciality of the room and not put pressure on its general image.
American living room furniture
Separately, it is worth talking about what should be American furniture for the living room. Because it is she who has a great influence on the formation of the final image of a given room. So, for example, a large, rude sofa and a couple of cozy armchairs would be appropriate in it. Usually, an American living room welcomes the placement of rough massive chairs or stools in the room.
As for the material of American furniture, it is quite possible to make it from chipboard. Moreover, it must have the best quality and careful finishing. The best option is recognized when the furniture is made from solid wood on its own. In the event that it is not possible to make the furniture yourself, you can buy ready-made furniture made in this style.
If we talk about the color of American furniture, then usually it has light shades, luxury is not welcome, so there is no place here for gilding or abundant carvings. The fittings are taken as simple and functional as possible. The main requirement for any furniture placed in the living room, made in this style of interior design, is one hundred percent functionality, various knick-knacks are unacceptable.
American furniture is usually placed indoors in the center of the room. So, for example, a sofa is installed here in combination with a small coffee table. Wooden shelves are hung along the walls to accommodate various decorative trifles and accessories. Additionally, a large wooden chest of drawers is placed in the living room. Its task is to store dishes and various accessories necessary for receiving guests.
If you build a fireplace in the living room, you can put a rocking chair, coffee table or minibar next to it. By the way, recently the dining table in American living rooms is very often replaced by a bar counter. It takes up little space, while allowing you not only to cook food, but also to hold festive events.
As for household appliances and electronics, in this style of interior design it should not be in sight. It should be placed in cabinets or a furniture wall. To do this, you can use all kinds of niches, drawers and shelves. In some cases, household appliances can be removed to an adjacent room and displayed in the living room only if necessary.
Fireplace in the American living room
American-style living room design is unthinkable without a fireplace. Naturally, it is far from always possible to place it in a standard room, but if such an opportunity exists, it should be used. It is worth remembering that this element of the room was borrowed by the Americans from the British, therefore, usually such fireplaces are made of natural stone or brick. In the absence of them, an imitation of this type of hearth is usually installed in the room.
Typically, in an American classic living room, the interior is formed by various technical elements of the fireplace. So, for example, usually in the room they create raised chimney sills, make massive beams framing the hearth, and mount stone shelves. The design of the hearth in the form of an arch will look great in this room. Its surface is usually decorated with multi-colored porcelain or glass. They are attached to the side and front walls of the fireplace.
The fireplace in the living room should be working. In the event that, for technical reasons, this cannot be achieved, the installation of an electric fireplace is allowed. Since the American style of interior design is a mixture of several design styles, the fireplace here can be almost anything, but it is preferable if it is made in the English style.
In any case, it is worth paying special attention to the fire safety of a room with a hearth. The fact is that a working fireplace is a source of fire hazard. Therefore, all flammable objects around it must be removed from the hearth at a distance of up to 1.2-1.5 meters. The floor around the fireplace is usually laid with stone or ceramic tiles to protect the room from fire.
As for the furniture installed in the living room, it must be correctly selected and installed. So, for example, a sofa and an armchair are placed opposite each other here, and a coffee table is placed between them. The side walls of the fireplace are the ideal place to place cabinets, cabinets and shelves. It makes sense to use the mantel too. Various decorative elements and accessories are usually displayed on it. If such a shelf is small, you can add a wider one over the fireplace, making it from solid wood.
American style living room lighting and decoration
Since there is usually no problem with natural light in America, a living room made in this style should mostly be lit naturally. For this, large windows are usually performed in such a room. In the event that there is no possibility of making windows in the living room itself, openings in the walls are made in order to receive sunlight from neighboring rooms that have similar windows.
It is worth noting the fact that such windows are usually not curtained in an American living room. If this cannot be avoided, it is best to hang blinds on the windows, not curtains. Shutters can be used as a decorative element. Such a solution is well suited for a country house, as it will decorate it not only inside, but also outside.
As for artificial lighting, in this case it should be additional. To do this, in the room, lamps and sconces are hung on the walls and floor lamps are installed. At the same time, it is worth noting the fact that in the design of American classics, the use of a chandelier is usually not encouraged. This lighting fixture can be replaced by a backlight built into the ceiling. As a result, the maximum illumination of the room is ensured at low cost.
If we talk about decor, then it must be emphasized that Americans do not like it too much, therefore, in American living rooms, its elements are found in a minimal amount. So, for example, it is allowed to decorate this space with photographs, certificates or other awards hung on the walls. Fresh flowers on the shelves will look good in any case. But the books here will be very appropriate, they can be placed in this room in abundance.
Carpets are not very welcomed by this designer style of interiors. It is not recommended to put deliberately expensive things in the living room. They are appropriate in the Baroque, classic styles, but not in the American interior style. The fact is that it has the main features of the country style, which is characterized by simplicity and minimalism.
Combining the kitchen with the living room
A living room done in an American style of spatial interior design is usually spacious and has a large area. In this regard, in standard apartments it is necessary to combine the living room with the kitchen. This approach is justified when the home owner needs to increase the space of the room in size, but at the same time not get away from the functionality of the kitchen and living room. The combined living room-kitchen will look good from an aesthetic point of view if everything here is decorated in the same style.
Usually, doors in a combined room are not installed; instead, arches are made or rooms are separated with sills. To ensure that the kitchen and living room do not mix, the zoning of the room is performed. For this purpose, wallpaper of different colors is used, elevation differences, the organization of "islands". The kitchen-living room must be equipped with a good ventilation system, since various smells coming from the cooking area can spoil the mood of the guests who come.
