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High-tech design style first appeared in the late XX – early XXI century. It is a combination of mobility, functionality, and high technology. This direction involves using and combining modern expensive materials and innovative technological devices and is considered prestigious and respectable. It is characterized by an emphasized architectonics – the selection of load-bearing columns, ceiling beams, dynamic furniture fittings.
The History of the Emergence of Hi-Tech style
Hi-tech originated in the 70s of the last century. This original style is reflected in European and American architecture. In the United States, the first examples of the style became a continuation of modern fashion. The original approach to the design of buildings and interiors quickly won the hearts of the progressive category of society. In Europe, the first example of the embodiment of the new trend was the Paris Pompidou Center, built-in 1977 by Richard Rogers in collaboration with Renzo Piano. Initially, the attitude to this architectural project was ambiguous – many perceived it with a negative attitude. But over time, the wave of discontent subsided, and now the French consider this masterpiece building one of the main attractions of the capital and are sincerely proud of it.
In the 80s, high-tech gained even more popularity. It was at this time that they began to use it for interior design actively.
Characteristics of Hi-Tech Style
When describing the high-tech style, it is impossible not to note its pragmatism and minimalism. Combining a simple and simultaneously impeccable geometric shape and straight lines with functionality, the inclusion of high-tech devices in the interior is the main feature of the direction. In high-tech interiors, basic materials are used – plastic, metal, glass, concrete, chrome elements, mirror surfaces. Functional decentralized lighting plays a huge role. The surface of all details in the interior is smooth and uniform. The colors are restrained, neutral, the presence of bright accents is possible.
Who Chooses the Hi-Tech Style
The hi-tech style’s high technological effectiveness and progressiveness can be appreciated by modern, self-confident, constantly thirsting novelty lovers of continuous movement forward. Such solutions support the owners’ craving for everything new, non-standard, fantastic, demonstrate their interest in the latest scientific achievements, and easily adapt to changing needs.
Colors in Hi-Tech Interior Decoration
High-tech interiors are dominated by white, gray, black, silver shades in lacquered or chrome versions. Such shades were actively promoted in the early stages of the formation of the direction. However, it was the palette that stopped many from embodying this style in their own interior. The decor seemed overly formal, devoid of home comfort. Recently, the hi-tech color palette has expanded. Manufacturers add rich color strokes to their product lines. Pure bright colors – red, blue, green, yellow – are welcomed as accents.
Materials and Methods of Hi-Tech Interior Decoration
In this direction, in combination with traditional materials for interior decoration, non-standard options are also used – plastic, glass, metal, mirror sheets. Of course, natural materials can also be present in the interior, but they are not the main characters.
Walls
Light neutral shades are suitable for high-tech style walls – white, concrete, beige, light gray, cream. The main condition is to observe monochrome. An accent wall can be darker than others.
The following materials are used for decoration:
- paint
- decorative plaster
- wallpaper – plain, no patterns
- large porcelain stoneware
- plastic panels
Light-colored walls are often decorated with black and white pictures in a plastic frame.
Sometimes certain sections of the walls are decorated with natural materials or imitation of stone, wood, or leather. Fragmented use of brickwork or raw concrete surfaces is also encouraged. The latter can be replaced with clinker tiles and decorative plaster for concrete. Mirror canvases are widely used, solid or in the form of a mosaic, large area – from floor to ceiling.
One can paint walls with thermochromic paint. This finish is capable of transforming its color as the temperature changes. Thanks to this property, the finishing also becomes a full-fledged team of high-tech interior elements.
Floor
Glossy flooring will perfectly fit into the realm of chrome, plastic, and glass. It can be plain tiles, porcelain stoneware, vinyl tiles, or laminate. An excellent option for a high-tech interior is self-leveling floors that can reflect light and visually increase the room’s space. Imitation of natural stone with characteristic veins and patterns looks great. There should be no prints or ornaments on the floor. This coating looks very presentable but somewhat uncomfortable. To smooth this impression, it is enough to complement the composition with a small accent carpet with a long pile. The floors covered with porcelain stoneware or tiles are icy, so it is worth equipping the flooring with heating by installing the “Warm Floor” system.
Ceiling
A high-tech ceiling can be decorated traditionally. The simple, smooth, solid color surface is the perfect backdrop for modern lighting fixtures. Another option is to mount suspended ceilings in combination with stretch canvases. Glossy or matte PVC ceilings in white, gray, and black shades are ideal for this interior style. The advantage of such ceilings is that they make it possible to hide wires for spotlights or LED strips, which will make the ceiling magical.
High-Tech Interior Doors and Partitions
A door in a high-tech interior should correspond to the main features of the style. Non-standard materials are welcome. For example, glass, which creates an interesting play of light and shadow, attracts attention. Eco-veneer canvases should be chosen in a strict and simple form. Made in alternating contrasting black, gray, white shades with the addition of glass or mirror stripes, they will organically fit into the high-tech architecture.
You can take a chance and install a steel interior door. This is a great choice for a harsh, masculine interior.
A key aspect of the hi-tech concept is the interior’s ability to be multifunctional, mobile, and instantly transformable. Therefore, here, like nowhere else, sliding and folding doors and partitions are more appropriate. They allow you to change the layout in the blink of an eye, dividing the space into separate zones or combining again. With their help, you can quickly turn a one-room apartment into a two-room apartment and vice versa. Sliding systems are necessary to fill the interior with air and light. They help create the illusion of freedom and space. Glass partitions equipped with shiny metal fittings fit perfectly into the interior, which is filled with strict “cold” materials. Glass can be transparent, frosted, tinted, decorated with a sandblast pattern, or pasted over with a colored film. With apparent fragility, the products have sufficient strength and reliability. Tempered glass is used in their production, which upon impact disintegrates into small fragments with non-sharp edges. Another option is triplex – a multilayer material. When broken, the fragments remain in the film.
Lighting
The main requirements for high-tech luminaires are a simple design, clear straight lines, regular geometric shape. Metal and glass products are welcome. Shades can be transparent, matte, or colored. Products are often decorated with chrome elements. Since versatility and mobility are important in this style, the shades should have the ability to change position and illuminate the area required at the moment. Spots on rails or rails are suitable as lighting fixtures. Spotlighting and LED illumination are widely used, allowing you to not turn on the main device.
Furniture Selection
The main requirement for furniture is simplicity, rigor, lightness, and functionality of the structure. It is better to do with a minimal set of products in such interiors to save as much free space as possible. Therefore, furniture that is easy to transform and move freely is welcome. For example, a table or a curbstone on wheels, a pull-out sofa, a bed that, with the help of simple manipulations, turns into a wardrobe or table, a coffee table that transforms into a dining table.
Manufacturers are actively developing innovative furniture for high-tech interiors. As a result, its assortment is constantly updated with interesting novelties. Among them are glass or metal shelving, chairs made of natural or eco-leather with chrome inserts, glass or plastic tables.
Simple geometric shapes are typical for upholstered furniture. The upholstery is made of dense anti-vandal fabric in neutral shades or leather. Bright Pillows can dilute the calm range.
Use of Fabrics in Window Decoration
In the “cold” interiors of this style, ordinary textile curtains are practically not used. Here their role is played by metal blinds, Japanese panels, or roller blinds with remote control. If fabric curtains are present, they appear only in the company of the above-named devices. Curtains are usually simple stripes of white, gray, black, or beige fabric. Their upper edge is hidden in the ceiling niche and is attached to the cornice installed in it. There are no decorative elements.
Accessories and Decor
Hi-tech does not tolerate an abundance of accessories. The decorative elements in the interior are shiny metal and glass parts and structures – tables with chrome legs, aluminum shelves, tempered glass cabinets. A designer product can play a similar role – a chair of an unusual shape or a table with lighting. The style is characterized by open communication. Therefore, the ceiling and walls are often decorated with metal pipes. And, of course, the “high society” of such interiors – modern technical devices – a chrome refrigerator, oven, microwave oven, stove, TV with a huge screen, an audio system, a table with a display.
Examples of Hi-Tech Home Interior Decoration
When decorating a high-tech interior, any details that are associated with classics are inappropriate. For example, you should not use carved natural wood furniture, no matter how beautiful it may seem to you. Likewise, large items that will clutter up the room are undesirable. A modern interior requires simple shapes, straight, clear lines, mobility, and versatility.
Hallway
Both natural and synthetic materials are suitable for decoration – tiles, porcelain stoneware, PVC panels, transparent and frosted glass, neutral plain wallpaper, decorative plaster painted with water-based paint with the addition of color. It is necessary to think over the interior in such a way that the maximum free space remains. It is better to give up all that is superfluous, limiting ourselves to a built-in wardrobe with mirrored sliding doors and a bench equipped with a shelf for shoes. There must be enough space to move freely. You can leave the walls without decor, but if such an interior seems too boring for you, add a touch of comfort by hanging a few photos in black or white plastic frames.
Living Room
When decorating a hall, you should get rid of any elements that appear in classic living rooms. Here the priority will be given to modern technical devices.
Single-color neutral wall decoration will be perfectly combined with a shiny glossy floor and a calm, laconic ceiling in this room. On the floor, a bright long-pile carpet can take center stage. An armchair or sofa can be used as a color accent. The main thing is that bright strokes are single and not repeated in other interior details. TV walls have lost their relevance, but a curbstone or rack with glossy or glass fronts and chrome handles will be more appropriate. Even if the TV is mounted on the wall, you can put a remote control on the cabinet, put an audio system, or a set-top box. It is possible to hide the TV behind the remote-controlled sliding panels.
It is worth giving preference to multifunctional transformable furniture. This will help you get by with a minimum of items and keep as much free space as possible.
A spacious room can be zoned with transparent partitions or accent trim.
To revive the technogenic space of the world of modern gadgets a little, it is enough to add a couple of large plants to the decoration of the room – a ficus or a decorative palm tree.
Kitchen
Furniture in a high-tech kitchen acts as a bright accent. Against the background of light-white or gray walls, it looks especially expressive and dynamic. The headset can be bright red, blue, purple, yellow, or green. The kitchen apron can be made of porcelain stoneware, glass, or metal. You can use plain ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, laminate, or vinyl flooring for the floor. The composition is perfectly complemented by metal elements – chrome-plated legs for a bar counter, holders for glasses, roof rails. Facades can be glazed – transparent or frosted.
The main decoration of the kitchen is chrome or glass appliances – stoves, ovens, hoods, microwave ovens, refrigerators. A toaster, an electric kettle, a coffee maker, and other devices made of glossy plastic, metal, or glass will perfectly complement the interior. Lighting should be divided into zones. The dining area, cabinets, and work surface are illuminated separately. Fresh flowers in such kitchens are infrequent guests. However, in a large space, the green inhabitants of tropical latitudes will bring coziness and harmony.
In studios or if the kitchen is attached to the living room, it can be delimited using a glass or plastic sliding partition, a bar counter.
Bathroom and Toilet
Decorating a high-tech bathroom is a great idea. Even the smallest space can be visually enlarged with glossy and mirrored finishes. The entire wall can be trimmed with a mirrored canvas, thereby visually doubling a small room. Glass shelves built into a niche will look great. Chrome taps, shelves, a heated towel rail, and a hanger for bathroom accessories make the bathroom look spectacular and modern. In addition to the above, you can use metal or glass dispensers for liquid soap, toothbrush holders, and a glass soap dish.
Plumbing in this style has simple geometric shapes and clean outlines. The sink can be made of metal or glass.
Walls and floors are best tiled with plain ceramic tiles or mosaics. It is necessary to choose finishing materials in the basic shades of style – white, gray, black, milky, silver. You can choose bright red, yellow, or blue objects as an accent element. This can be a bright shower curtain or a plastic cabinet. Instead of a curtain, you can use a glass partition integrated into the design of the bath. It can be included in the package or purchased separately.
A wall-hung toilet with a chrome flush plate is best suited to the high-tech style. For the hidden installation, you have to make a box or move the entire wall, which is why space is noticeably eaten up. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to a light glossy finish, which visually compensates for these losses. Another metal element in the toilet can be a hygienic shower, which will go well with a chrome brush cup and toilet paper holder.
There is not always a place for a bath in a combined toilet. In this case, it can be replaced with a shower cabin with or without a tray. A shower cabin with a metal ladder and glass doors will perfectly fit into the atmosphere. If necessary, you can separate the toilet area with a transparent partition.
Bedroom
High-tech bedroom decoration will not suit everyone’s taste. A room for relaxation should not be turned into a technogenic zone. A few characteristic details will be enough to create the desired atmosphere – chrome lamps, a mirrored minimalist cabinet, a glass partition separating the dressing area, a bed devoid of decorative elements but equipped with an LED strip or spotlights. The illuminated bedside space creates the illusion of the bed floating, which, of course, is relevant for sci-fi styling. To soften the “cold” strict atmosphere of the technogenic interior, to make it more comfortable will help textiles – soft pillows, blankets, and curtains. Don’t forget the soft monochrome rug for a pleasant feeling every time you step on it.
Children Room
High-tech is not suitable for a children’s room. But for a teenager, such “possessions” are the ultimate dream. Stylish minimalist furniture, a worktable made of black glass and complemented by metal elements, spotlights of an unusual shape, modern gadgets, and other high-tech devices will not leave him indifferent to the contrary, and such solutions will delight the inhabitant of the room, regardless of his gender.
Conclusion
The high-tech style is perfect for both a small one-room apartment and a spacious private mansion. The clarity of the lines makes the rooms austere and specific. But this does not mean that it will be impossible to relax here after the rapid pace of urban everyday life. On the contrary, the absence of unnecessary details, a large amount of air, light, and space in such interiors contributes to good relaxation. And you can add a little warmth and comfort with the help of textiles, a soft carpet, or a rug knitted with your own hands.
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