The Key Characteristics of a Peruvian Style Living Room
Locations around the globe are one of the biggest sources of inspiration for interior design. Each location has a different style of interior design that is inspired by the culture, history, religious beliefs, and available resources in each country. One interesting and colorful style is Peruvian interior design, and this is something that you can apply to various rooms in your home. This style works particularly well in the living room as you can create a comfortable and inviting room by applying Peruvian design concepts. If you want to apply this style to your home, here are the key characteristics of a Peruvian style living room.
What is a Peruvian Style Living Room?
KaSa Global Interiors describes Peruvian interior design as a style that is inspired by the homes and objects you would find in South America. Some factors that have influenced Peruvian design include the country’s culture, the landscapes, and the natural materials available in this South American country. Peruvian design also has a strong Spanish influence, and this is evident in many aspects of both architecture and interior design. The Peruvian style is often grouped in a wider umbrella of styles called ‘Globe-Trotter’, which has aspects of design from many locations around the globe. A Peruvian style living room makes use of natural materials, textiles, patterns, and bright colors. The following is an overview of some of the key characteristics of a Peruvian living room.
Architectural Features
The architectural features in a Peruvian style home depend on the period that is influencing the style choices. This is because the architectural styles have varied over time. They are predominantly divided into pre-Columbian, colonial, and contemporary styles, says Canin Associates. However, some common architectural features you may find include exposed stone walls, roughly rendered walls, exposed beams, arched doorways, and small windows with grilles.
Materials
Using natural materials is an important aspect of Peruvian design, so you should try to focus on choosing natural materials for your living room. Some examples of the natural materials used in Peruvian design include stone, wood, clay, brick, and woven wool. In terms of the woods used in Peruvian homes, untreated woods are the most commonly used, and dark woods are preferable. Cast iron is also used in Peruvian homes that have a Mediterranean influence, and this material is most commonly used in window grilles and light fittings.
Floors
The floors in traditional Peruvian homes are often stone. If you choose this material for the floors in your living room, don’t forget to add a rug to give the room some warmth. Although this is the traditional option and one that is practical, an alternative is to have wood floors. These are also a natural material and they have a warmer look than stone, which is ideal for living areas. Again, a rug can add warmth and a splash of color and pattern.
Colors
The color chosen for walls is usually white, as this gives a clean and bright backdrop for other colors you will add. If you have an exposed brick or stone wall, you do not need to add any color to this wall as leaving it natural will add an interesting focal point to your living room and leaving the wall unpainted is typical of the Peruvian style. You can apply different colors to the room with the furnishings and accessories. Almost any color is acceptable for this style, so it is a matter of personal preference which color palette you choose. Usually, bright and bold colors are used, such as oranges, reds, yellows, and greens.
Patterns
Patterns are a key element of Peruvian interior style, and you will find the patterns applied to various aspects of the rooms. Traditional Peruvian patterns are often created from bright colors, and feature geometric designs, stripes, and zigzags. Patterns may appear in many aspects of your living room design, but the textiles and accessories are the typical elements that contain patterns.
Furniture
Wood is the best option for furniture to keep to the Peruvian style in your living room. Choose natural wood pieces that are not stained, and dark woods are more typical of the Peruvian style. Stay away from mass-produced pieces and choose individual pieces of furniture that do not necessarily match. Artisan and hand-crafted pieces of furniture are ideal.
Textiles
Textiles are the predominant accessory used in Peruvian rooms, so they deserve a separate mention. Acari says that the use of Peruvian textiles are becoming increasingly popular in countries other than Peru because people can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship involved in creating traditional Peruvian textiles. Some examples of how you will use textiles in your Peruvian style living room include rugs, wall hangings, throws, and cushions. Peruvian textiles are often made from woven wool, so look for textile accessories that are made from this material.
Other Accessories
Peruvian interior design is an eclectic style rather than a minimalistic style. This means that you can use lots of accessories in a Peruvian style living room and this should reflect your personal tastes. Other than textiles, another type of accessory that features highly in Peruvian design are hand-painted pottery and ceramics. Display ceramic pieces on the surfaces of furniture around the room and on the window ledges. On the walls, consider adding a wood-framed mirror to create a sense of light and space and a couple of pieces of traditional Peruvian artwork as interesting features.
Peruvian Style Living Rooms – The Final Verdict
A Peruvian style living room is one that uses elements of Peruvian interior design. This is inspired by the culture and landscapes of Peru, and also contains some aspects of Mediterranean influence. It is easy to apply some of the elements of the Peruvian interior design style to your living room or to any room of your home. The walls are usually painted white with color added by using accessories and textiles, both of which are key characteristics of this style. Using natural materials and patterns are also essential to achieve the Peruvian look in your living room.
