European Style Interior Design | Laure Nell Interiors (2024)

FAQs

What is the European style of interior design? ›

European design often takes you back to the Victorian era with high ceilings and lots of detailed mouldings, paneling, and beams. Decorating with a European style produces a timeless and grand look. European architecture is known for its cathedral ceilings and opulent mouldings and design.

Open-floor plans for living spaces are mostly preferred by Americans. American homes are mostly planned with an open-plan kitchen-diner alongside a large living space. On the other hand, European homes usually have isolated spaces for living room, dining, and kitchen.

The golden ratio or 60/30/10 rule is a great guiding principle to check your designs for appropriate proportion and scale.

This style uses natural stone, brick, and wood, from exposed ceiling beams to antique-style furniture. Plaster walls and terracotta tile floors are also common. Exteriors. The exterior of European house plans often features natural stone or stucco walls with roofs made of clay tiles or wooden shingles.

The European façade is full of refined Old-World elements. Stone, brick and stucco were common cladding materials with some timber and half-timber elements surfacing. The combination of two or all three of these materials was common, one of which typically used as an accent detail material.

Contemporary. Not to be confused with other modern design styles, contemporary interiors are entirely of the moment, whereas modern can refer to anything forward-thinking from the last several decades—Midcentury Modern or Modern Farmhouse, for example.

What European home construction materials are commonly used? Homes in Europe have traditionally been built to last an estimated four hundred years.

Creating a balanced Room Layout

The golden ratio helps achieve a balanced room layout by assessing the floor space covered by furniture. Striking the right balance means that nearly 60% of your room will have furniture on it, with 40% being clear.

What is the 2 3 rule for sofas? ›

You've probably heard of the 2:3 rule, otherwise known as the 'golden ratio'. Ideally, every room should follow this. Start by dividing a room into two sections – the larger one should measure 2:3 of the space, and be the area for big pieces of furniture such as your sofa, bed or dining table.

Follow the 2:3 Rule

“The 2:3 design rule suggests your sofa should be the equivalent of ⅔ the size of your room.” However, if your living room is also your dining room or home office, that may not be possible, explains the designer.

One of the biggest challenges interior designers face is selling big ideas. Often times, you only have pictures or a floor plan to try and express the feel of an entire room.

Subjectivity in Taste: - Interior designers may face challenges when dealing with diverse client tastes and preferences. - Balancing personal design aesthetics with clients' desires can be a weakness, requiring flexibility and compromise.

In contrast, European style exudes a sleek elegance. Clothing is generally more fitted, and there is a preference for monochromatic and neutral colors which often lends to a more formal appearance. Polished leather shoes are more commonly worn in Europe, reflecting the importance of a sharp and refined appearance.

European design, in its traditional sense, is often characterized by ornate furnishings, rich textiles, and a grandiose approach to decor. Imagine a living room adorned with intricately carved wooden furniture, luxurious velvet upholstery, and chandeliers dripping with crystals.

In general, European hotel rooms tend to feel a bit more outdated and old-fashioned than American hotel rooms. They sometimes mimic the style of an inn or a bed and breakfast, especially if they're on the more inexpensive side. Even the more expensive hotels often have the tendency to feel somewhat old.

The European Eclectic is inspired by the full spectrum of Western European architectural tradition. Architectural characteristics common to this diverse style include shallow roof overhangs, well defined chimneys, recessed entry porch, and vertically oriented windows.