On the basis of standard apartments, which occupy the lion's share of the housing stock, you can often find a long and narrow room. They are equipped in Khrushchev and other buildings of the Soviet period. In this location, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and other areas required in a residential area are decorated.
Design specialists have developed a number of recommendations that allow you to design a compact room in the most stylish and practical way.
Visual increase in space
Despite the size, the room should be comfortable. The main task when decorating a narrow room is to correctly distribute the territory, arrange furniture and install other necessary elements. It is worth noting that the tips below can be used to decorate rooms with dimensions of 2 m by 5 m and for a small room of 12 sq. m.
Designers have developed a lot of techniques in order to "move" the walls from each other:
Short walls in a rectangular room must be made as expressive as possible, that is, focus on them. Long walls need to be decorated in a neutral way. As a rule, this is done using different finishing materials and bright colors
- The room must be properly zoned.
- Install the required number of light sources.
- Do not place pieces of furniture along long walls. This advice also applies to the installation of the floor covering.
These are general provisions that will help create a comfortable environment in the room. Next, look at these and other techniques in more detail.
Features of zoning
Experts in the field of residential design recommend dividing a rectangular room into two square locations. They can be the same size or differ, depending on the wishes and purposes of decoration.
Partitions made of various materials and shelving can be used as a zoning tool. It is recommended to pay attention to the most compact options.
The designation of zones can be different:
Children's room: area for relaxation (bed) and games (soft corner with toys)
Bedroom: sleeping place (bed and sofa) and work area (table, shelves with literature and office supplies)
Living room: location for receiving guests (a table with chairs or a spacious corner with a coffee table) and multimedia (TV, player, game console)
Kitchen: area for cooking (work surface, stove and other necessary elements) and eating (dining table)
Partition options
It is strongly recommended to abandon the deaf and high partitions, the height of which reaches the canvas. In compact rooms it is better to install a transparent glass structure … This material will transmit light, and the thickness of the material will practically not take up space.
Pay attention to plasterboard partitions … Of these, you can equip shelves and compartments for storing things, as well as placing decorative items or fresh flowers.
For zoning, you can even use curtains made of lightweight textile material or a compact screen. A small, cozy sofa is often placed on the border between the zones.
Accent on the walls
As already mentioned, in order to change the shape of the room, it is necessary to correctly beat the walls. A narrow room will change significantly by making the long walls shorter and vice versa.
In this case, designers are advised to use such modern ideas:
During the renovation, glue the long walls with plain wallpaper, and decorate the short ones with a canvas with a colorful pattern or print
A blank short wall is decorated with wallpaper or curtains. The thickness of the fabric folds will cover the space in the room
Modern wall murals will help to accentuate short walls. A colorful drawing on canvas will decorate the room. Pay attention to the picture. An image with a horizontal perspective and depth will visually enlarge the wall
Stripes
For a special visual effect, striped wallpapers are actively used. Everything is simple here. Vertical stripes are glued on long walls, and horizontal stripes - on short ones.
It is worth noting that this type of finishing material is often used for the design of narrow rooms, such as corridors and hallways.
A visual increase in space is guaranteed.
The form
Don't be afraid to play with shapes and experiment. In the process of decorating a canvas or flooring, use the asymmetry technique. You can lay the covering at an angle. Such decor will bring dynamics and rhythm into the atmosphere.
Design elements
To make a long room visually shorter, at the end of the room it is necessary to install an object, a barrier. This can be a small table, a cozy sofa, or any other object.
If you need to equip a room with a window at the end, it is recommended to pick up an object that will not block the window opening.
Window
As a rule, only one window is installed in a compact room. This is the only source of natural light, so you should never block it.
For window decoration choose curtains from light and translucent fabrics (silk, tulle, organza, cambric, chintz and others). It is better to refuse curtains made of heavy fabrics.
Roller blinds will look great. They are compact and easy to use. They are attached to the window frame, due to which the wall around the window remains free. A dense canvas will instantly close the view of the room from prying eyes, and if desired, it can be easily folded.
Doors
Instead of doors in the room you can equip a stylish arch … Give preference to the color of the edge of the arch, which will contrast with the decoration of the walls. It is worth noting that if you need to equip a room in an intimate setting, then arches are not the best choice.
If the doorway is located on a long wall, experts recommend choosing swing doors with wide platbands.
Floor
The rectangular pattern flooring is ideal for narrow rooms. The type of material is not important. The installation of the product must be carried out so that the pattern of the coating lies perpendicular to the long wall.
The room is ideally complemented by a rectangular carpet.… It will not only decorate the room, but also give the interior a touch of comfort.
Additional elements
On the basis of compact spaces, designers recommend using glossy, smooth surfaces and mirrors. They reflect rays of light, thereby visually expanding the space. In order not to take up space on the wall, large mirrors are hung on cabinets.… This is a convenient and practical way to place an element necessary for everyday life in a room without taking up precious space.
If you place a pair of round mirrors on long walls, opposite each other, the room will visually noticeably increase in size.
Another way to expand a narrow room is to install niches in each wall. Recesses of various sizes will eliminate the tunnel effect and make the design more dynamic and expressive.
Color palette
White is a classic option that is actively used in various styles to design compact, narrow rooms due to the effect of visual expansion of the space, however, you cannot use only one color. Too much white will make the interior look dull and monotonous.
Use a contrast effect. Paint one wall in a light color, the second in a color a few tones darker.
The most common palette for the decor of compact rooms: white, light gray, beige, milky, pastel. When decorating a bedroom, it is recommended to use soft colors: pink, blue, lilac, peach and others.
Furniture selection
If possible, designers recommend not to install pieces of furniture along the walls. A couple of compact sofas, set perpendicular to the wall, will expand the narrow room. It is better to refuse bulky soft corners altogether..
When choosing furniture, give preference to models with open backs that will not block the view of the room.
The modern market offers a huge variety of compact or multi-functional pieces of furniture designed specifically for miniature living spaces.
Redevelopment
If the room opens onto a balcony, the extra space can be profitably used for expansion. On the basis of modern apartments, a loggia or balcony is combined with the main space of the room. For this, doors and a window opening are removed from the wall, which is separated by two zones.
Remember that it is very dangerous to carry out this procedure yourself. Use the services of professionals.
Stylistic directions
Interior styles that are great for compact rooms:
Minimalism… This direction represents rigor and restraint
High tech… Harmony of brevity and high technology
Scandinavian style… Space and light
Loft… Industrial direction
Provence… On the basis of this direction, light and pastel colors are used
Examples in the interior
- Bright and cozy living room. The walls, floor and ceiling are decorated in shades of white. There is a rectangular carpet on the floor. A minimum of pieces of furniture and a maximum of comfort and convenience.
- Compact bedroom in a modern style. The reception of the contrast of light and dark colors is clearly demonstrated.
- Apartment-room design (12 squares). A sleeping place, a work area, a partition were designed in the room (this element performs several functions: zoning and shelves for storing and placing things).
- Registration of a rectangular room. Compact studio apartment. The location is equipped with: a sleeping place, an area for receiving and preparing food, a wardrobe for storing things. Demonstrated reception of zoning (partition between zones).
In the next video, you will find design solutions for a narrow room.