Interior Design Styles that will remain in the Design World for years and years. They never date, they move in cycles. create a truly personalized house that feels unique and special.
Traditional Style
Think of this as the classic interior style. Traditional homes choose dark timber, ornate furniture designs, and richly patterned fabrics that generally avoid current interior trends.
Art is more often than not the pre-20th century. Rugs are usually oriental, and you will easily find storied, old-world treasures, vintage books and maps. But also, crystal decanters dotted throughout.
Scandinavian Style
This interior design style is inspired by homes from Nordic countries. While often characterized as minimalist, and all-white, many homes, particularly the Danish ones, incorporate bold, playful colors and patterns.
Furniture is sleek, sculptural, and functional, with a wide use of lighter-colored timber, as well as natural textures like rattan, wool, and fur. Admired for their simplicity and functionality, you will not find excess decoration or clutter. Instead, you will find beautiful, clean lines and ample greenery.
Rustic Interior Design Style
Rustic relates to a natural and pared-back style and favors simplicity and authenticity over prominent design displays. The meaning of the word itself might suggest anything rural or country, in interior design, and it can include a range of styles. From farmhouse to log cabin, to coastal and Tuscan.
Rustic homes are usually decorated with antique or vintage finds, bunches of wildflowers or greenery. Also raw or reclaimed timber and stone, plus natural fabrics like cotton, canvas, and linen. Homes tend towards natural or earthy tones, and there is usually a sense of tactile warmth to a space.
Minimalist Design
Free from excessive ornamentation or fussy decorations, minimalist designs prefer clean, simple lines and a neutral color palette, focusing on sleek and simple architecture.
Layouts are usually open and airy, and every object or piece of furniture serves a function or aesthetic purpose. Art is often abstract or modern to match, and modern interpretations go for stone, concrete, and raw timber materials.
Mid-Century Modern
One of the most influential design movements of the 20th century, the effect of the mid-century is still being felt today. It relates to the surge of creativity that originated from the post-World War II boom of the late’40s, the ’50s and ’60s. As a result, mid-century style is grounded in simple, functional forms, organic or natural-inspired shapes, and democratic design.
Architecturally speaking, the geometric lines and large windows are still prescient in modern homes. The design incorporates easily into many interiors — mid-century pairs well with the warm, earthy colors of the ’70s.
Industrial Interior Design
Industrial design signals the lofts and warehouses found in urban and industrial areas, characterized by raw finishes. Like exposed brick, untreated wood, and metal. Furniture is usually functional and non-decorative, and more recent interpretations often include raw timber or concrete floors.
Most industrial styles prefer a neutral or monochrome color scheme, and the design pairs well with black and white photography or abstract art.
Eclectic or Maximalist
Eclectic and maximalist homes take elements from other interior design styles and combine them in new and exciting ways. The first ones take cues from all sorts of design styles and design periods and can end up quite balanced. The second ones take a more-is-more approach, favoring bright colors, bold patterns, strong graphics, avant-garde shapes, and eye-catching artworks.
Both styles require a carefully curated edit of colors and statement pieces. There needs to be a sense of consistency and design intent for the look not to move into chaotic territory.
Country Cottage or French Provincial
The country cottage is a close cousin of French provincial. Cottage style usually takes its inspiration from the picturesque houses found in the English countryside. French Provincial has influence by the style of the French provinces outside of the main cities.
They are signified by earthy tones, timber, stonework, brick, fresh-cut flowers, and cozy textures. Both styles lean deeply into the farmhouse aesthetic. Expect to see vintage or rustic furniture, floral and patterned fabrics, and traditional, time-worn homewares like porcelain plates and embroidered cushions.
Contemporary or Modern
Think of contemporary homes as current in every sense of the word. They usually embrace popular interior design trends and combine a variety of styles. The contemporary look is a neutral color palette, with rounded, sculptural homewares and furniture taking center stage.
Coastal or Hamptons
The Coastal style, known by laid-back interiors and free-smooth living areas. While Hamptons is a more specific style under the coastal banner, both take cues from the surrounding environment.
Coastal aesthetics can range from the more luxurious and traditional Hamptons look to a more Spanish-inflected coastal vibe. Usually, these two styles embrace natural fibers like linen and cotton, wicker furniture and light, tropical greenery, and seaside-inspired homewares.
Bohemian Style
Known as the free-wheeling, relaxed kid of the interiors world, bohemian homes reject to follow a set of design rules. Instead, they will feature a range of textures, materials, and finishes to a unique effect. The interior design style mixes vintage furniture, cushions, light fittings, and rugs with colorful decorative items sourced from all corners of the globe.
Bohemian style is known for mixing styles, cultures, and eras. There is usually a strong sense of eclecticism going through bohemian homes. Old pairs with new, opulent pieces reside next to flea market finds, and there is no strict color scheme.
Art Deco Design Style
This decorative art movement has its origin in France during the 1910s. Deco promotes manufactured materials such as glass, plastic, and steel, contrasted with natural materials (jade, silver, and ivory), prioritizing elaborate, decorative, abstract design and geometric forms.
With the signature playful, elegant, and expensive-looking style being matched everywhere, Art Deco design was the ultimate representation of modernity during its time. Still treasured today, the Deco aesthetic is present in many early 20th century homes and buildings.
