Understanding Different Interior Design Styles

Style by definition is “a manner of doing something” but this word can be interpreted many ways. From hair style to personal clothing style and even our décor style, we all have a unique preferences and habits unlike anyone else’s.

One of the biggest challenges many of our clients face when they come to us for help is being able to identify and define their personal interior design style. With an abundance of design styles, it can be difficult for them to decipher which style will best suit their taste and space.

While design styles are always evolving and elements from many if not all of them can be combined to create an ideal look, we suggest a great starting point for any interior design/redesign project is to learn a bit about each of the styles and how they differ from one another. Below we are sharing some of the most popular styles and their key features to help you define your interior design style before you start your next project!

Popular Interior Design Styles

Traditional: When it comes to defining different interior design styles one of the most well-known styles is traditional interior design. Traditional interiors use tables and chairs made from dark wood that is ornately detailed. Traditional design draws its inspiration from 18th & 19th Century England and France. This explains why it’s common to find expensive textiles like silk, velvet, and linen used everywhere from upholstery to window treatments. Fabrics feature a variety of different patterns. A few popular patterns include; damask, florals, stripes, and plaids. Traditional homes also like to bring in a sense of glam with crystal chandeliers.

Contemporary: Contemporary interior design is a sleek and simple space. It uses distinctive features like detailed moldings on walls and windows and open layouts to create an interesting and distinct space. Typical contemporary furniture shows exposed legs and clean lines to give a light and airy feel. It is common to see materials like metal and glass used because of their light-reflecting properties. This look is the ultimate mix of house décor styles. In addition, neutral color palettes are the most common for contemporary design with textured fabrics to create interest. Thus, creating the perfect luxury modern interior.

Transitional: Transitional design is what we like to call the happy medium of interior design styles. This is the style for you if traditional design is too stuffy, but contemporary is too out of your comfort zone. Transitional is the perfect mix of traditional elegance with contemporary lines and textiles. Transitional interiors keep accessories to a minimum. It’s important to let the furniture and the textiles do the talking. Take advantage of area rugs, throw pillows, and blankets to accessorize.

Modern: Modern is a broad design term that typically refers to a home with clean, crisp lines, a simple color palette and the use of materials that can include metal, glass, and steel. Modern design employs a sense of simplicity in every element, including furniture. A word that’s commonly used to describe modern style is sleek, and there is not a lot of clutter or accessories involved with a modern style.

Industrial: Just as the name states – the origins of this style lean more factory-esque and machine. It can lead a bit more masculine than the other styles as it uses a lot of metal, rustic wood, and leathers. However, the softness comes through its neutral color palette and the use of found objects which instantly can give the room some soul and character.

Mid Century Modern: With cues coming heavily from the ’50s and ’60s this style has become one of the most common and relatable styles for many people. The pieces designed during this period have stood the test of time and remain fresh, modern, and relevant. The lines on many mid-century pieces are simple, clean, and minimal and are made from warm woods with purposeful details and styling.

Minimalist: A style that has similar cues to modern – minimalist, has exceptionally clean lines and simple shapes however the style lives by the mantra “less is more.” It uses a very, very refined had when selected items for rooms that fall into this style and everything in these rooms must play a purpose. You won’t find too many extra objects or layers.

Transitional: Transitional design is what we like to call the happy medium of interior design styles. This is the style for you if traditional design is too stuffy, but contemporary is too out of your comfort zone. Transitional is the perfect mix of traditional elegance with contemporary lines and textiles. Transitional interiors keep accessories to a minimum. It’s important to let the furniture and the textiles do the talking. Take advantage of area rugs, throw pillows, and blankets to accessorize.

Rustic: Rustic design is drawn from natural inspiration, using raw and often unfinished elements including wood and stone. Rustic design may incorporate accessories from the outdoors with warmth emulating from the design and architectural details that may include features like vaulted ceilings adorned with wood beams or reclaimed wood floors. Many designs now integrate rustic design with more modern furnishings and accessories.

Bohemian: Bohemian style also known as Boho, has become very popular in the last 5 years although its roots date back much further than that. Boho style is all about pulling together natural and organic elements into a very layered and collected look. You’ll find lots of caning, rattan, bamboo, and textiles in this style mixed with bright and saturated colors. It’s exotic, it’s playful and it’s very layered.

Scandinavian: Hailing from its namesake, Scandinavian design is very much Nordic in its roots. It has some similarities to organic modern but reads a bit more simplistic and minimal in its approach. When colors are used, it’s a very soft color palette of pastels balanced out with light-toned woods and lots of whites, creams, and tans. It is inviting, simple, and clean yet very warm and relaxed in its styling.

Glam: This style is filled with luxe textiles like leather, suede and velvet, and jewel-toned colors. It’s very high-end and polished and employs all the very finest of finishes. In this style, you’ll see a lot of minimal yet impactful touches that give it that posh and elevated look without having to add on too much of the extra detail and fill that you might find in a “Hollywood Regency” style.

French Country: Warm, earthy colors are indicative of a French Country design style, as are worn and ornamental wooden furnishing. The style has an overarching farmhouse inspiration. French Country design may include soft and warm tones of red, yellow, or gold and natural materials like stone and brick. French Country design can include collections of ornate porcelain dishes and heavy linens and bed coverings.

Coastal: The name inherently gives you a sense of what the style holds. It’s all about the casual beachy atmosphere that you’ll find in many of the homes on the east coast. The style is all about bringing the natural elements of the coast inside your home. There are a lot of white-washed woods, blue tones, and plenty of white to help all that beachy sunshine bounce around the room.

Eclectic: There are common misunderstandings when it comes to the eclectic design style. A few different key features identify eclectic interior design. Think of it as a high-energy collection of carefully selected pieces brought together to create a culture rich interior. Because of this, many think eclectic design has an anything-goes spirit. However, there is a fine line between layered and collected, and busy and distracting. Stick to a neutral color palette and use a select few accent colors to bring in the worldly vibe you’re looking for. The ideal eclectic interior balances color and texture. It’s the perfect blend of old and new.

Modern Farmhouse: This style has become very mainstream in the last 5 years – thanks to the popular HGTV show Fixer Upper. The style uses a lot of found and salvaged objects but pulled together in a more modern and refined way. Rather than being too rustic and farmhouse-esque, it is more inspired by the latter. You’ll see plaids, blues, greens, and lots of white and black used in this style. It is very inviting and comfortable and has a slight tinge of traditional in it without being too formal. Think rustic yet refined.

Shabby Chic: Shabby chic is vintage-inspired style, but compared to Bohemian and other styles, tends to be more feminine, soft, and delicate. Shabby chic furnishings are often either distressed or appear that way; paint tends to have antique-style finishes. The Shabby Chic color palettes include white, cream and pastels. Light fixture and wall hangings may be ornate and continue the feminine vibe of shabby chic design

Southwestern: Southwestern interiors gather their inspiration from the soft lines of adobe houses, Spanish textiles, ironwork, and nature. Color pallets have various colors found in the American desert. Rust, terracotta, cactus green, are a few favorites amongst designers. Furniture is more on the heavy side, often adorning thick legs and bulky finishes. Texture is southwestern interior designs best friend. Leather and suede are the most common upholstery material.