Steampunk is steam and punk in one “bottle. How does it go together? Let us tell you. In art in general, a lot of interesting and bizarre, we’ll even say that the symbolic. The style was born out of a fantastic literary genre – works about alternative civilizations, in which the main role was given to steam engines and various mechanisms.

With the steam and everything is clear, why in the name also appear “trash, waste”? The scientists themselves have no unequivocal answer. Someone believes that this is an allusion to the lower strata of society, others – the basic materials from which the “tools” of steampunk are made: metal spare parts, the waste of mechanisms. Others associate the term with a protest against the dominance of urbanization, technological process and commonplace. In the pursuit of imaginary progress people forget about sincerity, normal human relationships, their individuality and the present.

In the interior style reflects the Victorian era, dreams of the grand development of steam technology, mechanisms, and not electronics, as it happens now. Designers when decorating rooms try to immerse themselves in the life of 19th century society, to convey their passion for complex mechanics and their belief in its success, which will pave the way to an amazing future.

In fact, it is a fantasy about a parallel world, a reference to all the famous works of Jules Verne, Herbert Wells and other fantasy writers.

The trend was formed by the 80s of the last century and is briefly described as “the future from the past”. Among the main varieties are science fiction, urban and industrial. And each of them is difficult to imagine without a large number of pipes, levers, unusual devices, all kinds of lights and gears. The last element is considered by many to be a symbol of the steampunk style itself.

Distinctive features in interior design
One of the main places of a room in the steampunk style are occupied by water and heating systems. They are not masked, on the contrary, they are exposed to public view.

A distinctive feature of the style – the pipes are exposed.

Entourage is complemented by original decorative objects: images and models of an airship, airplane, balloon, etc.

The features of this style include:

the use of exclusively natural materials;
atypical lighting – lamps that resemble Victorian sconces or gas lamps;
the presence of retro stylized furniture: paneled with wood or with a copper “dusting;
the use as decorative elements of gears, printed illustrations with maps to search for treasure, compasses, antique clocks, etc;
the indispensable presence of objects from the past: typewriters, copperware, gramophones, and telephones.
A classic room made in the style of steampunk is the perfect atmosphere for a scientist and lover of science fiction, who lived in the last century. Here and the ceiling, floor, walls, and furniture sets, decor will be associated with the Victorian era and fantastic literary works, a past where there was no hint of a computer, even modern electricity.

The ceiling must be brutal and asymmetrical, with the obligatory presence of decorative elements. Must-have – a great height, which is sometimes achieved with the help of lighting and light toning, arched structures, columns, arcs, stair stepping up. The optimal color scheme – pastel colors or picture of the starry sky, a possible decor – attached the body of an airplane or blimp, metal strips with screws and rivets.

The floor in country rooms, made in the steampunk style, is usually oak. For urban bedrooms and living rooms often choose a suitable parquet or laminate, bathroom and kitchen – ceramic tiles with an imitation of discreet, dark stone, marble, rough sea pebbles, paving stones.

The walls are also finished with natural materials, bulky options are welcome like stone and aged wood. If the budget is limited or initially modest, you can just leave the concrete walls or wallpaper, corresponding to the stylistic direction.

Steampunk wallpaper: what to look for in stores?
Pay attention to products with luxurious decor and elements characteristic of the era. You can take collections that directly “in the head” recall the main theme – rolls with drawn gears, clocks, a variety of mechanisms. Suitable and those with futuristic images, balloons, airships. Excellent will look and imitation of brick, rust, antique maps, concrete, metal.

So what is a steampunk room like?
It certainly looks outdated and consists of obsolete items. If there is a stove in the kitchen, it is definitely a gas stove, and it feels like your grandmother still had time to use it. Is there a computer in the office? Then with a very unusual “peripheral” – a keyboard in the form of keys from a typewriter, a screen in the spirit of Soviet TV-receiver and a massive iron speakers. If you are not happy with such a juxtaposition, limit yourself only to appropriate to the style of finishing materials and accessories.

Not a standard tea party living room
Walking into such a room, you immediately understand: here live very brave, unconventional-minded people. They know a lot about history, they spent a lot of time reading fantasy novels, and they are not afraid to combine strange things together. They somehow managed to use the space organically: there are massive objects and small, different textures and colors, and the room doesn’t look cluttered or empty. It’s easy to move around in spite of the “creative” clutter.

It seems that the repair has not been done for a long time, although in fact you may have recently finished all the finishing work. This impression is created by the choice of materials: rough plaster, concrete, wood flooring, metal structures, the presence of rusty iron. A special atmosphere in the steampunk living room is created by unusual lighting fixtures, about which we told above.

As a background and base colors, designers are advised to take neutral dark tones. For variety and arrangement of accents, you can add a couple of bright details to them: a carpet, decorative pillows, curtains. Be sure to use furniture on wheels, items that are partially made of metal, already broken mechanisms. And think beforehand, how will you decorate your walls: hang a large map, a model of a flying machine, a steampunk picture or a set of photos? There are enough options, you can even build something yourself.

The bedroom – a “haven” for pirates or tired scientists.
Normal bedroom with proper preparation can become a bunker, cabin or cabin. If such conditions appeal to you, order a sturdy, bulky, wooden bed. Look at Victorian-style pieces to have at least a general idea of the models.

For wall decoration, experts recommend using gray wallpaper that imitates metal sheets, decor – large clocks, “panels” of gears, bolts and other parts, a huge compass, intricate drawings and diagrams. As zoning tools are good decorative arches, additional items of furniture – a dresser or a truce.

“Not porcelain” bathroom in the style of steampunk
The toilet and bath are probably the most interesting rooms for this trend. Here is where there is a reason to go wild… You remember about open water systems, right? Exactly! Here you have both regular and decorative pipes, and the opportunity to use alternative plumbing. Fortunately, at least the materials used are noble: granite, marble, stainless metals. And even very aesthetically pleasing and interesting look taps, showers – as if “teleported” to us from the 1900s.

The walls are usually decorated with ceramic tiles with locomotives, balloons, aged maps or other themed images. Right next to the bronze bathtub is a brick wall. Lovers of particularly extravagant solutions are advised to construct an unusual design for water procedures – in the form of a submarine, airship, pirate ship. Furniture sets should have a glossy surface to reflect the light and compensate for the lack of light colors and natural light.

A nursery for dreamers and future engineers
Steampunk – a style that can be interesting not only for adults. Some boys are still reaching for different pieces of iron, happy to help dad fix cars, tube TVs, not mind to disassemble the parts of the old clock that hangs at grandpa’s dacha. They look at the “retro-futuristic” movies and read books by world famous science fiction writers. For these “young technicians,” the room can be a real source of inspiration and an opportunity to implement their ideas.

If you do not go overboard, you can create an unusual, but quite comfortable atmosphere. Of course, you should not pay 100% tribute to style in terms of lighting, the priority is the child’s health, vision and posture. It is also desirable to adhere to all safety rules and use only smooth, chipped and crack-free objects. Thanks to the globe, trunks, atlases and maps, some artifacts your child will acquire knowledge, will study geography, history, physics and other subjects at school with great enthusiasm. Unusual interior will help to develop imagination and creative thinking. Another advantage – you can involve the child in the design of the room and spend their leisure time together.