Whether you plan to construct a new house or remodel your existing home, you should know about the interior design styles.
Many people may know about the traditional and even modern designs. However, there are other concepts for you to choose from.
For several homeowners, their home speaks volumes about their personality. You do not have to stick to modern, contemporary, or even the most standard style there is. You can pick from a ton of styles and also incorporate some of their elements into your plan. It is all possible when you know what the options are.
This blog will enumerate and define the popular and even the unpopular styles used in interior design for homes. It will allow you to decide which among these styles are perfect for your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.
Traditional: Inspired by Tradition
Before all the styles were born, traditional interior design was up first. Interior designers would agree that almost all styles stemmed from this design or inspired by it at the very least. Traditional interior design may have come from Europe. It has depth, adding layers and dimensions to each corner of the house. The result is a tantalising visual that would appeal even to the most discerning eyes.
Some people think that traditional means boring and predictable. However, this design successfully incorporates antiques and cool pieces that may be from the 18th and 19th centuries – or even way before these periods.
The traditional design comes from, well, tradition. It is timeless with European décors, such as elements from France, England, and the Far East. Here are some of the key elements that make a home traditional:
- Harmony and Order: You should create a calm and well-arranged space with furnishings that match. Symmetry is important, so make sure everything goes together.
- Defined Colour Palette: Go for dark and warm tones, but you can still choose neutral colours. For improving the look of the room, art, textiles, jewel tones, and décor accents are the key ingredients. Although the palettes can be daring, they should not be too graphic.
- Fit for Royalty: Regal influence is evident, especially in the furniture. The pieces are typically heavy and ornate, such as carved wood and tufted upholstery.
When designing a traditional home, it is all about consistency. The character may be muted, but it is seen through details.
Mid-Century Modern: Sleek and Timeless
Take a look at the styles in the mid-1900s. It is where this mid-century modern interior design came from. During this period, there were iconic pieces produced, which is why it is easy to get a bit nostalgic. It combines minimalism, cohesiveness, and straightforwardness in one style.
Social news feeds are abuzz with this design. You can see sofas in pastel pink hues, along with Danish sideboards. The style can monopolise space or even give it an out-dated feel to it. For most people, these traits are not what they want out of their homes. However, this design, when executed with care, can give a modern mix while still being a little historical.
This movement is believed to have spanned from the early 1930s until 1965. It involved the use of architecture, industrial, and graphics. The mid-century modern design is best known based on the works of George Nelson, Harry Bertoia, and Charles and Ray Eames. It takes on the following elements for the best results:
- Functional: This design believes in the adage, “Form follows function.”
- Minimal: When it comes to décor and ornaments, you may want to keep it to the minimum as much as possible.
- Uncluttered: Lines are sleek using either geometric or organic (or both) forms.
- Materials: The design also features the juxtaposition of contrasting and different materials. Since the mid-century was when plastic was discovered, it is also one of the important materials to incorporate in the design. Still, wood, metal, and vinyl are also used.
- Colour: Neutral, bold, and black and white are the top colours to choose from.
Mid-century modern is all about a classic style with an understated look. The creation of clean lines and toned down fuss should be prioritised.
Modern: A Complex Type
Out of all the interior designs, modern is one of the most difficult to define. The idea has stemmed from various design movements, but the final product reflects the modern art movement. Modernism is for those who do not want to follow the Victorian, Renaissance, and other ornate styles.
A modern home has these characteristics:
- Clean Lines: An interior design cannot be defined as modern without clean, straight lines. This style was born to serve as the antithesis of more elaborate designs where heavy textures and carvings were used. Modern, on the other hand, uses clean lines whether in furniture or room shapes.
Metal Use: Modern design comprises of stainless steel and chrome finishes. All metal details can be used in furniture pieces, doorknobs, lamps, and cabinet handle among others. - Minimalistic: To be modern is to be simple. This interior design is after the basics where the “less is more” approach is heavily endorsed in textiles, mouldings, columns, and pretty much everywhere.
Clutter-free: Because of minimalism, the house should have fewer accessories than other homes. Therefore, you may want to stay away from pottery, vases, and even throw pillows. Of course, you can add to some items but use restraint. - Colour: Neutral colours, black and white, and even bold primary colours are the best in modern homes.
Modern interior design is for modern thinkers, as they say. Choosing this design means you have to shy away from cultural and creative norms.
Contemporary: The Present Style
Many homes are considered modern, but they are only truly so if they meet the mentioned qualities. Otherwise, they are referred to as contemporary. While there are similarities between these two styles, contemporary is the updated version. By definition, it refers to something that occurs at present.
At its core, you want the interior design to live in the moment, illustrating the current trends but without disregarding the past. This style dates back to the 1970s and has taken inspiration from different designs. You can even see elements, including Art-Deco, along with futuristic styles.
Unlike other interior designs listed here, contemporary is often easy to detect because it refers to the styles that gain traction today. We know that trends evolve but some styles, such as curved lines, minimalism, and neutral palettes remain. They are considered contemporary.
Industrial: A Familiar yet Interesting Design
Out of all the designs, industrial is the one you can easily recognise. It has that raw, unfinished appearance, which may seem odd but certainly works for homes. You know it as the warehouse look that no one would ever think it could be aesthetically appealing for residential properties.
Industrial interior design, believe it or not, has a range of styles, including earthy, polished, and stainless.
Some of the key elements that make up this design are:
- Having ducts and pipes left out in the open, giving that unfinished vibe
- The use of metal and wood surfaces on the ceilings, staircases, doors, and windows
- Using neutral colours and earth tones to complement with the wooden elements in the décor
- Choosing vintage options when it comes to accessories and furniture
When going for this design, start with neutral colours and an open layout. Then, you can mix wood and metal pieces to finalise the look.
Transitional: Focusing on Comfort with a Modern Twist
For some people, modern is too sleek and stark. However, they also do not want their home to look boring and out-dated. The answer is the transitional interior design. Working as a middle ground between contemporary and traditional, this style is all about comfort but still looks fashionable.
Transitional is the combination of two poles-apart designs. It is why some designers call it the updated classic. It mixes warmth and comfort while balancing the aesthetic appeal of the property. You can have ornate details but still have simplistic lines.
To achieve this look, here are its characteristics:
- Soothing colours that make a room feel like a respite from your hectic schedule
- Comfy furniture pieces that are plush enough but with straight lines
- Accessorise with a neutral theme in mind
The goal is to have a room that does not feel distracting yet still has that modern appearance.
Minimalist: A Warm and Nuanced Design
This design started in the early 90s but has been an ongoing trend ever since. Many agree that it will not go out of style because of its practicality. Therefore, it fits anyone, no matter what the age and preference when it comes to home design.
The primary focus of this design is to keep it simple. Everything that you choose should have a place and a reason for existing. Think clean lines, concise colours, and trimmed down silhouettes. However, a common mistake is steering clear of a layered and warm home. You can still have an inviting space but without the glam.
The ingredients of successful minimalist interior design are:
- Small spaces look larger than they truly are.
- Décor should always be in style no matter what the period.
- Choose beauty that is well-refined, meaning you do not need too many features in the house.
- Accentuate the bare look of your home through its architectural details.
- De-clutter your home using stylish storage and daily cleaning methods.
This style is not just in the living room, but in bedrooms and baths as well. Stick to whites, blacks, and greys, but you can also use warm browns and creams.
Farmhouse: Warm, Cosy, and Relaxing
A charming farmhouse does not just exist on the farm. It can be what your home looks like, provided that you know its basic elements. It is about being savvy while looking clean and country. The important characteristic is that it is in tune with nature as you stay practical. After all, it is what farm-living is about.
Creating a farmhouse designed home is not a huge challenge.
Simply follow these rules:
- Be handy and convenient without going for delicate and precious items.
- Choose hardy materials that still look sophisticated and stylish.
- Decorations should be hand-me-downs with a mix of discoveries from the flea market. However, you should also have newer pieces.
- Do not match your furniture and other elements in the house. Farmhouses have a design that seemed to have evolved.
- It should not look too country either by over-collecting craft show items.
- Have a barn board, exposed wood beams, and even a butcher block if you wish.
Wicker and rattan seem to be the most common materials in farmhouses.
Shabby Chic: Appealing and Relaxed Style
If you are the artistic type, this interior design style may be what you are looking for. Shabby chic perfectly balances peacefulness and orderliness. Although creative, it still has that elegant vibe. You have the freedom to unleash your designer instincts with this style.
It does sound interesting, but it can be difficult to pull off. To make sure you do not under-do and overdo things, here are the secrets to shabby chic interiors:
- Go neutral first, particularly with the structural elements of the space. These elements include the walls and floors.
- For furniture pieces, choose vintage. The word shabby refers to weathered items, so you may want to add distressed pieces into your collection. You can go for ready-made furniture in this style or even an unfinished job.
- Mixing and matching is the name of the accessories game. Layer assortments of throw pillows, rugs, blankets, and wall art. The goal is to have a cosy space that also exudes a laidback style.
- The space should also have some natural elements. Add plants and forego curtains. Favour natural light and simply go for unadorned window treatments.
Shabby chic can be quite pleasing even for those who like the contemporary look. It strikes a balance between stylishness and casual style.
Eclectic: Unusual and Original
Eclectic interior design is perfect for those who enjoy freedom in designing their homes. Going for this style means you are not afraid to try new things and combinations. It is modern, contemporary, minimalist, and more. You get two to three designs – or even more. Eclectic is all about you.
This design mixes different style foundations, ranging from historical to classical. You can arrange it to suit your taste, using different decorative materials, including stone, metal, fabric, glass, and wood. When it comes to stylistic elements, however, you should pick those that are balanced and compatible. The keyword here is “harmony.”
If you wish to have an eclectic interior design for your home, follow these principles:
- Have both rough and smooth textures in your home to make it look more interesting.
- You can have a cohesive look by having one texture in about three different parts of the house.
- Think about the negative spaces, including those on the shelves and tables. There should be empty spots in the house.
- Displaying your collections is great and exciting but you should never overdo it. While eclecticism is about revealing your style, you should still do it with caution.
Placement is important in eclectic interior design. Therefore, you should not forget about the layout of any room in the house.
Rustic: Naturally Coarse Yet Strikingly Beautiful
Rustic design is simple with natural materials incorporated in your home, such as raw wood, metals, and stone. The philosophy is to embrace the organics and infuse them into your home. This way, you enjoy comfort and warmth like never before.
Some of the qualities of a rustic design are:
- Having wood as an essential element in your house
- Using metals in some designs, including wrought metals
- Balancing the décor with stone material
- Using a natural colour palette, including browns, creams, and beiges
Rustic also includes the use of sturdy fabrics. Place different textures side by side, which can create a stylish and complex look.
Coastal: A Tranquil Space
If your fondest memories involve being in a beach setting, you will love the coastal interior design. Many people find serenity when they see the deep blue sea, which is why the coastal style is perfect for them. You do not have to go to the beach or wait for your next retreat to experience it. You can have it in your home.
This design will vary from one person to the next. Some would design with the Caribbean in mind. Therefore, they use vibrant colours for spices. Meanwhile, if you choose the Mediterranean vibe, the design will focus on warm and earthy textures.
Some would confuse coastal with nautical, which is also an interior design style. Coastal is all about the beach, while nautical is more about the white sands and the seaside. Coastal focuses on natural lighting, upholstered furniture, de-cluttered space, and with a focal point.
With many options for interior design styles, it is easy to see why many homeowners get intimidated by these choices. Always settle what you love, especially when it comes to colours, furniture pieces, wall art, and materials. This way, you do not have to tear them down and replace them when the next trend comes on.
