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How To Decorate Your Home With Belgian Style

May 8, 2020

Simple but luxurious. That is one apt description that sets apart Belgian decor in a league all on its own. While some design styles tend to lean further towards the extremes of modern and traditional, Belgian style strikes a beautiful balance between the two. More masculine than Swedish style and more polished than Shabby Chic, Belgian style is both modern and vintage at the same time.

Defined by oversized furniture, warm neutral hues, and natural elements, this style is all about restrained elegance. By combining rustic and modern elements, it creates a welcoming blend of beauty and comfort. It’s how you’d picture a room that’d draw you in and persuade you to stay awhile for some coffee or tea. The beauty of it is that it’s flexible and it allows itself to grow with your tastes. Whatever season it is, it only takes for a few layers in and out to transform the style to accommodate the season. Whether you’re looking to transform your whole decor or to add a few touches to update your decor, these Belgian defining characters would surely persuade you to give it a try.

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Warm Neutral Hues

Belgian style is one of those styles that are proudly defined by neutral colors. But, it’s not just any neutral color. Belgian interiors lean towards neutrals that are light and airy. Think grays, beige, soft browns, and chalky taupes. With this style, color is all about creating the mood instead of drawing attention to certain items. Instead of bold pops of color, depth and interest are created with layers and textures.

Elements From Nature

Part of what makes up the rustic side of Belgian style is organic elements. Things like natural wood, ceramics, and stone are major design elements of the style. So, don’t be afraid to play around with wicker baskets, wooden bowls, or even faux moss. Just remember, the more you keep these elements closer to their natural form, the better. These create a sense of rawness that you can never get from overly polished materials.

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Natural Light

Much like Swedish style, Belgian style couples its emphasis on natural elements with plenty of natural light. Sunlight simply has a knack of further upgrading the aesthetic and making it appear softer, cozier, warmer, and more inviting than it already is.

Plenty of Linen

A distinguishing characteristic of Belgian style when it comes to textiles is the plentiful use of linen. Given that it’s a natural resource in Belgium, it makes sense for it to be a huge part of the aesthetic. One of the best uses for it is to use it as window treatments. It allows enough natural light into the room without feeling bulky. And it gives a light and elegant feel to the room while adding plenty of dimension to the style.

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Oversized Furniture

Although excess is frowned upon in Belgian decorating, an exception is made for furniture. Just the right amount of oversized furniture, usually upholstered in linen, does the perfect job of creating that welcoming impact of the style. Antique items such as couches and chairs are also great to add in that vintage feel.

Lots of Patina

In line with the style’s emphasis on natural elements, the Belgian style loves patina. It’s basically the appearance of the sheen on wooden furniture cleaned and polished for years or the oxidation on metals. This lends the style that timeworn and weathered feel that adds to its rustic charm.

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Modern Elements

Though the natural and antique themes of the style might seem to dominate the style, there will always be space for modern elements in Belgian design. In fact, the style could never go without it. Industrial elements are pretty common in Belgian rooms. This adds that fresh modern feel and creates a multi-layered feel that richer and more dynamic than keeping the elements apart.

Clear the Clutter

Clutter has no place in a Belgian home. Simplicity is a key factor in this type of style. This allows its key components to beautifully meld into one another.

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Kim Shufelt Owner
Kim Shufelt owns A OK Apartment Locators, specializing in finding perfect apartments in Dallas & Houston.
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