Fusion style in the interior - what is it, design rules, 50 photo ideas

History of the style

The emergence of fusion dates back to 1970 – 1990. It manifested itself not only in the interior, but also in other areas:

In music (in 1970, various directions of jazz music emerged with the interweaving of ethnic motifs);
In dance (dance aesthetics became more open and flexible, fusion dances could combine movements of folk, oriental and modern choreography);
In cinematography;
In cooking (unusual seasonings and spices are added to traditional dishes, they are served in a new artistic manner).

The style rapidly penetrated into various spheres of human activity, gaining more and more fans. Everything traditional was served with a different sauce, presented from a new point of view, uniting continents and nationalities. If fusion music arose in the 70s, then the style made its way into the interior at the end of the 20th century. Materials and decor from exotic countries have penetrated traditional interiors, giving them a spirit of freedom and liberated openness to everything new.

American designers were the first to master the fusion style in the interior. They created bold interiors, combining classics with ethnic motifs or baroque with hi-tech. At the same time, they filled the space with decor with Latin American, Chinese or African motifs. Thus, an upholstered chair with patterned fabric upholstery began to sit side by side with an unusual table with a mirrored tabletop and a rug in the shape of a leopard skin, a zebra, or simply with a geometric pattern.

In the 90s of the twentieth century, the concept of “fusion style in the interior” began to be heard more and more often. What it is? Translated from English, fusion means merger, alloy, synthesis. This definition began to be used for interiors that combine the incongruous. That is, in the interiors of houses, cafes, and hotels, designers increasingly mixed features of different styles, complementing them with decor and furniture from different nationalities.

For example, a classic bedroom interior with a comfortable bed, white walls and ceiling, and classic curtains was complemented with pop art color spots, a futuristic chandelier and an Egyptian bust. Furniture items that were completely incompatible at first glance acquired new meaning in their successful proximity to each other. They became an integral part of a single space.

History of style

For a long time, designers diligently followed the strict canons of certain styles, without violating their rules or going beyond the boundaries. Only in the 80s did the mixing of seemingly incompatible trends and the implementation of non-standard ideas begin. The fusion style in architecture and interior design is loved by many for its expressiveness and continues to delight creative people to this day.

The photo shows a mix of modern, classic and retro styles. The black fireplace deserves special attention, giving the atmosphere a mystical quality.

Characteristic patterns for fusion style

Interior design in fusion style is characterized by an abundance of different patterns. They calmly get along next to each other, creating a unique creative space. To emphasize the individuality of the interior, its character and freedom, the following patterns and designs are used:

zigzags and winding lines;
geometric motifs (diamonds, squares, circles);
stripes and checks;
floral and plant patterns;
ethnic drawings;
animal prints.

Materials and finishing

Fusion style in the interior can be called the opposite of minimalism. In wall decoration, the use of several materials at once is encouraged: paint and brick, wallpaper and plaster, decorative stone and wooden panels.

Textured walls, unlike other styles, do not act as accents, but fill the entire area. Sometimes wallpaper serves as a background, but often the opposite happens: bright canvases with prints or frescoes form the basis of the entire fusion-style interior.

The photo shows a living room in lilac tones, finished with oriented strand boards and artificial stone. The interior is united by lathing and plinth.

The original design is inherent not only to the walls, but also to the ceilings. In fusion interiors you can see unexpected solutions in the form of black, textured, slatted and multi-tiered ceilings, as well as surfaces painted the same color as the walls.

In the fusion style, the least attention is paid to the finishing of the floor, since its role is to balance the interior. The most common coating is wood and its analogues. Emphasis is placed on the floor only if the walls and ceiling are not active enough. In other situations, a balance must be struck.

The photo shows a living room in a fusion style with elements of modern classics and aged textures. The ceiling is decorated with decorative silver panels.

Finishing walls, ceilings and floors

Natural materials are mainly used for surface finishing:

wooden board and wooden panels;
marble, sandstone, granite, slate, limestone;
ceramic tiles;
glass, glass panels.

Along with these materials, modern technologies are actively used, such as self-leveling flooring with a 3-D effect, three-dimensional plaster with a pattern, gilding, hollowing, and draped panels. The proximity of these materials gives an unusual effect.

Ceiling

Fusion style involves the bold use of absolutely any materials and colors to decorate the ceiling. However, very often designers choose a plain white ceiling. The smooth plastered surface is painted with water-based paint. A simple white ceiling is a good backdrop for an unusual modern chandelier.

Along with simple design solutions, intricate ideas are also used. For example, the ceiling is combined with the roof, lined with glass panels. They not only protect the room from precipitation, let in the maximum amount of light, but also give a striking decorative effect.

A few more ideas for a fusion style ceiling:

Stretch glossy white or colored ceiling (it reflects the interior, creating a Looking Glass effect);
The ceiling is made of wooden panels of various sizes;
White ceiling with wooden beams.

Floor

Most often, when choosing a floor covering, the practical side of the issue is taken into account. Wooden, laminated, parquet floors are selected for the living room and bedroom. In the bathroom and kitchen, the floors are finished with tiles or linoleum. The terrace can be laid with natural stone. In this case, the floor can be completely monochromatic.

Then it is complemented with a bright runner, carpet or skin. Or it can be artistically decorated (self-leveling flooring with a pattern, artistic parquet or mosaic). In this case, it is not covered with anything, allowing guests to admire the interior miracle.

Walls

To decorate the walls, several different techniques and materials are chosen at once. It’s good if you can harmoniously combine a smooth painted surface with brickwork, wooden panels with mosaic inserts, bamboo wallpaper with white smooth plaster. Walls are a space for creativity and self-expression.

They are supplemented with fabric draperies, paintings by famous artists, objects of mass art (posters, posters or comics), mirrors, and framed photographs. At the same time, it is important not to forget about the red thread of national color, which should run through the interior, enriching it.

Lighting organization

When designing an interior design in a fusion style, the designer especially highlights the theme of lighting. With its help, an ordinary room can be turned into a cinema pavilion or a disco hall. Light is used not for general illumination of the environment, but to highlight specific elements, to create a light show within an ordinary residential apartment. To illuminate a large living room, of course, you can choose a central chandelier. Most often they give preference to modern models with an interesting design. But at the same time, they are thinking about spot lighting of individual decorative elements.

Tip: Place some directional lights directly in the floor area. Directional light coming from below will create the effect of spotlights.

The following lighting devices are used:

Table lamps;
Bi-directional sconces;
Rotating lamps;
Spot lighting;
Pendant lamps;
Floor lamps;
Hidden halogen lighting;
Directional lamps.

An important fact is that you do not need to specifically select all lighting fixtures from one collection, paying attention to their shape and material of manufacture. Fusion allows for a variety of shapes, colors and textures.

Fusion cuisine in the kitchen interior

There are several rules for fusion style:

combination of different shades;
completely compatible completely different materials and decorative elements;
place only necessary items in the kitchen;
a combination of furniture and all other decorative elements.

Bright, bold colors - that's what fusion style is. For example, a shade of raspberry and gold, without pampas and metallic elements. It will look very original and impressive in the kitchen. Don't be afraid to experiment, the main thing is to maintain balance. The result should be an overall picture in which everything fits together harmoniously. But don't overdo it with bright shades, they can become irritating.

To prevent the ceiling from looking banal, install wooden beams. Some leave the concrete unfinished, this is another feature of the fusion style. For the full picture, you can always see a photo of a kitchen in this style, so you will definitely know everything about this area.

It is very important to know what experts recommend when creating a kitchen interior in fusion style:

Before you start renovating, create an exact view of what you want to see in the end;
there should be harmony in the kitchen;
if you don’t know what fusion style is, turn to professionals;
combine things that are different from each other, as well as with materials. This is the basic principle of style;
use white as a neutralizer for light colors;
carefully study the photographs and tips to create a true style;
do not hesitate to use floor lamps, discounts, lamps, chandeliers, they can be asymmetrical and different;
organized disorder is the main motto of a designer creating an interior in a fusion style;
absence of neutral or pastel colors in the kitchen, preference is given to bright and deep colors;
the use of expensive furniture made of natural wood or a wrought iron combination with soft and light upholstery is very welcome in the fusion style.

We can say that the fusion style is not only originality, but also complete freedom of creativity. With it you can recreate all the feelings you experience in this world.

Use of textiles

Textile design is also subject to the use of the main rule - no rules. That is, when decorating a bedroom or living room, you can safely combine translucent and heavy textured fabrics and place several types of different pillows nearby. Fusion recognizes multi-layering, layering of different patterns, colorful fabrics, drapery. It is not necessary to stick to one patterned line when decorating a room. Fusion allows for the juxtaposition of geometric and floral themes in combination with national symbols.

Decor details

Although fusion provides wide freedom of action, the owners will have to make allowances for the demanding design, so as not to slip into kitsch or boho. The fusion style in the interior implies the obligatory presence of at least one old (or high-quality artificially aged) furnishing detail - from a rare candelabra to a “grandmother’s” closet. Another must-have is ethnic notes. An African mask or Russian nesting doll will reflect the taste preferences of the owners. Along with the indicated design touches, pop art techniques are often used - colorful panels, pillows or dishes with characters from modern subcultures. These details will add mischief to the surroundings.

Plants as decor in the interior of a room.

An example of fusion style decor.

Details of the furnishings in the design of the room.

Selection of furniture

A fusion style living room does not require a furniture set or set. To create the atmosphere, items from different collections and eras are suitable. A glass table in the Art Nouveau style will fit perfectly next to a classic sofa, and two completely different armchairs or an unusual sofa can be placed near the fireplace.

For the kitchen, you can use this idea - place 4 - 6 completely different chairs at the dining table. Even though pieces of furniture may differ in color, texture and style, they should still have one common detail. For example, chrome legs or leather inserts, or a patterned print.

Tip: do not clutter the space with unnecessary furniture. Fusion promotes freedom, so the room should have as much free space as possible.

Furniture in fusion style: functionality and convenience

When selecting furniture, you should not opt for sets or sets of several items combined in the same style. So in the living room you can place utensils made not just from different materials, but made in different eras. For example, you can combine minimalist glass tables with armchairs made in ethnic motifs. The whole point of decorating a space with furniture is a combination of beauty, brightness and functionality.

For the kitchen, you can choose several different decor options. For example, choose a kitchen set in the Baroque style. Add a high-tech table to it. Place completely different chairs at the table. At the same time, keep the same note in all selected items. For example, metal finishing of small parts.

Fusion design

Chocolate color in the interior of a room in fusion style

Room design in dark colors in fusion style

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Accessories and decor

When choosing decorative decorations for the interior of an apartment in the fusion style, it is important to express your own self through the prism of a variety of objects. They should reflect the taste of the owner of the home, his passions, preferences and favorite objects. The walls can be decorated with copies of your favorite paintings, photographs of actors, or your own photographs. Various mirrors are not hung alone, but arranged in groups. Although it is acceptable to have a large mirror in a three-dimensional frame next to a floor vase, a floor lamp and a bust in an ethnic style.

Who would suit this unusual style?

Fusion style is universal for almost all people. An artist who constantly lives in his thoughts. A clerk, tired of the routine of his everyday life. A family with active and smart children. A businessman who is always in a hurry about his business. A young girl who is just making her plans for the future. The combination of the people described is a fusion in itself. Each character described above will find something different in this design. A charm that will make them fall in love with you. The artist will feel comfortable living in a creative space. The clerk will be distracted from the grayness of the days and drown in bright colors. The family will get along calmly without feeling that someone’s interests are being infringed upon. The businessman can finally relax and stop to enjoy the simplicity and freshness. The young girl will live as if in a fairy tale that she will invent for herself.

Black room interior in fusion style

Bright room design in fusion style

The good thing about fusion style is that it suits everyone. Its freedom, brightness and character will conquer any average person. There are no boundaries, no outdated rules, no zones of space. There is a flight of fantasy and thought, there is functionality and practicality, there is comfort. You just need to feel harmony. Fusion itself is a kind of secret that is within the control of everyone who wants to live in a special place. By revealing its potential and features, you will be able to organize the room in such a way that you will feel the absolute ideal, created with your own hands.

See alsoInterior style: types of design solutions for your home

Basic rules to follow

Behind the imaginary permissiveness of the style lies a small risk of turning a creative, unpretentious atmosphere with a touch of bohemianism into tasteless chaos. This can be avoided by relying on your own sense of proportion and taste, as well as using a few rules:

Rule - #1.

It is important to remember that fusion requires a free, well-lit space. Too much furniture, decor, textiles will overload the decor and ruin the charm of mixing styles.

Rule - #2.

Bold ideas are well suited for implementation in a fusion space. A little shocking will not hurt at all for such an interior.

Rule - #3.

When mixing eras, materials and styles, do not forget about the sense of proportion and the line between high art and banal ignorance.

Lighting

Incorrectly placed lighting accents can completely ruin the entire ensemble of design techniques carefully verified by the owners. That is why experts advise choosing spotlights and all kinds of sconces and floor lamps for the fusion style in the interior. Their combination will favorably emphasize the “logical islands” of the situation and make every detail resound in it. Don’t be afraid to experiment using lighting fixtures of different styles and configurations – a seemingly absurd solution can become the highlight of the room.

Combined lighting in the room.

Original chandelier above the dining table.

Interesting! All about the art deco style.