Interior Design Styles

If you have been researching how to design your home’s interior, you probably have come across different interior design styles such as “contemporary,” “modern”, “industrial”, “art deco”, and several others. Have you ever wondered what these terminologies actually mean?

For starters, these terms refer to different interior design styles, with each design having its unique characteristics, flavor, finish, and experience, and interior styles. This article seeks to decode the meaning of some of these interior design styles and to explain why they are as popular as they are.

While the interior design profession has existed for just over 100 years, the process of interior design has existed for as long as humans have been constructing homes and decorating them based on their needs and materials available to them. Centuries ago, when we were hunters and gatherers, do you think that a hunter’s house would be the same as a gatherer’s house? If we were to hazard a guess, the hunter-gatherer days of human civilization would have a utilitarian design style.

So, despite being a temporary shelter, a hunter’s house would have more space for the tools needed to hunt and more masculine interiors while a gatherer’s house would have more storage space and be gender-agnostic. Over the years, as civilization evolved, preferences and materials evolved too, giving rise to different interior design styles. Today, we are going to talk about some top interior design styles that have managed to stand the test of time and are used by people even today.

But before we do that, how good is your siding installation? Like any home improvement project, the success of your interior design process is dependent on the condition of other parts of the home. Your home’s unique attributes will come out better when the siding is in good condition, the interior décor on point, and when all areas around the home are functional and comfortable. We are going to talk about some top interior design styles that have managed to stand the test of time and are used by people even today.

Read also – Everything About Interior Design

1. Modern Interior Design
2. Contemporary Interior Design
3. Art Moderne Interior Design
4. Mid-Century Interior Design
5. Minimalist Interior Design
6. Scandinavian Interior Design
7. Shabby Chic Interior Design Style
8. Eclectic Interior Design
9. Industrial Interior Design
10. Farmhouse Interior Design
11. Art deco Interior Design Style
12. Boho – Bohemian Interior Design
13. Coastal Interior Design
14. French Country Interior Design
15. Hollywood Glam Interior Design
16. Japandi Interior Design
17. Mediterranean Interior Design
18. Asian Décor Design
19. Rustic Interior Design
20. Traditional Interior Design
21. Transitional Interior Design

From the onset, it is important to note that “modern” and “contemporary” are two different interior styles. A modern interior design style is defined by clean and simple color schemes, welcoming feel, clean individual elements, as well as heavy use of glass and steel and much-needed siding replacements that date back in historical times. Black and white dominate the color palette, with some faded shades of blue, red, among other prime colors.

We spoke about contemporary interior design style which blends the design styles from various eras, the Modern Design style is from a specific period – the dawn of the 20th century. This style is rooted in German and Scandinavian design styles and architecture. It is all about logic and practicality and the paintings and sculptures are chosen accordingly. The focus of the designer is on functionality and NOT on the form.

The living spaces are designed in a minimalist manner with open floor plans. It focuses on block colors and primary hues with modern art in contrasting colors. The furniture used is functional and simple with clean lines. Natural lights play an essential role in a modern home while accent lighting is used to highlight specific elements, architectural features, sculptures, etc.

The core idea of the modern style is to create simple and clutter-free homes with no unnecessary adornments. Since form follows function, everything used in a modern home fulfills a practical purpose.

This style trended in the early 20th century and happened to make a comeback a century later. Most décor materials in this style border on simplicity, especially the furnishings. Nothing is overly loud or daring. 

Read also – 9 Ways To Incorporate Modern Interior Design Style In Your Home

Contemporary interior design is a type of interior design style which refers to trends that are ruling now- at this very moment. An interior design style that was “contemporary” in the 2010s is not necessarily contemporary now, but a design that was “modern” back then still remains to be “modern”- always was, always will! In other words, modern design doesn’t change with time, whereas contemporary is more fluid.

The contemporary interior design style is something that can be adjusted to every room in the house. Be that, bedroom, living room or even kitchen. A contemporary kitchen is a mix of new and old that makes it perfect for all members of the family to sit around and chat. Importantly, choosing contemporary kitchens comes in very handy as there are many available and ready assemble kitchen cabinets that are both contemporary and beautiful.

The Contemporary Interior Design style is more like the modern way of living – inspired by all the design styles in the past including minimalism, modernism, Art Deco, and even the historical design eras mentioned above. However, this does not imply that the contemporary style is ruffled and vague. Instead, it has clean lines and smooth surfaces offering an orderly appearance of the space.

Contemporary homes usually have open floor plans and use a lot of natural light. The materials used are eco-friendly or recycled with a lot of focus on energy conservation. The colors used are usually neutral with a dash of vibrancy using a brightly-colored sofa or painting, etc. Most of the furniture used in a contemporary styled home is from the present. Lighting fixtures are chosen from various eras to accentuate the living space.

The crux of the contemporary design style is that it blends various styles without too much emphasis on any and creates a home that speaks volumes about the people who live in it – a home with a unique and fresh personality.

Read also – 9 Best Contemporary Interior Design Ideas For Your Home

Art Moderne originated from the United States in the early 1930s and trended until the late 1940s. Those days, this interior design style was all about bigger, bolder, and brassier. Furniture was designed with a swelling curve and other décor items were either pared or stripped down. Designers also refer to this interior design style as the American Modern or Modernist.

The mid-century interior design style was popular in the wake of the Second World War. Just like was the trend with almost every aspect of life those days, this interior design style emphasized on vivid use of color; from the walls to the wall arts, to the artifacts. Everything was colorful in this era. Furniture was defined by crisp lines, and indoor plants were in plenty.

This is an interior design style from the 40s to the 60s. As was symbolic of the times, after the end of World War II, minimalism and utility were the core themes of homes. A home designed with the Mid-Century Modern Style has a retro feel with a fresh twist. Timelessness and comfort are at the epicenter, making it one of the most preferred interior design styles. Typically, this design creates homes that are expressions of the homeowner.

The center of focus of a living room is a painting or an artifact that resonates with the people living there. Clean lines, spare surfaces, and simplicity are some other striking features of the mid-century modern design style. Sculptures, graphical shapes, and highly saturated colors that are symbolic of the 50s and 60s find their way in this interior design style too.

The core idea of the mid-century modern interior design is to create homes like the ones featured in the television series Mad Men – a seamless flow between the outside and inside of the home, design elements from three decades of the 20th century (the 40s to the 60s), and a fresh take on the mid-century design style.

It was during this time that people realized that on top of making a home functional, there was a need for enough spaces for social activities within the home. That is why the style leaves tons of shared, common areas all-around a house. Go for this interior design style if your focus is on strengthening interpersonal bonds- if you are a highly social person.

Read also – 18 Ways To Incorporate Biophilic Interior Design into Your Home

This minimalist interior design style originated in Australia and is still very popular there. The style emphasizes minimalism in all aspects of interior design, from simple furnishing to neutral color palettes, to functional but not flamboyant accessories. Everything is streamlined, simple, and necessary. No excesses.  

Read also – 9 Ways To Integrate Minimalist Interior Design Into Your Home

The Scandinavian interior design style is a combination of various design styles that evolved in the 20th century in the five Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. The Scandinavian style is about a minimalist interior, utility, and simplicity.

It also embodies simplistic yet highly functional spaces. It is also warm and leaves space for personal invitations. What makes it different from minimalist designs is that the style emphasizes affordability and not just necessity.

Most décor items are bare ornaments, rounded furniture, organic and clean detailing, as well as dominantly black and white color palettes. It is also characterized by bare layouts and arrangements. You could call it a blend of minimalism and mid-century styles. 

Read also – 9 Ways To Integrate Minimalist Interior Design Into Your Home

The Shabby Chic Style is characterized by laid-back vibes, airy lighting fixtures, antique-touch furniture, and a vintage-inspired charm. It is inspired by modern designs, but it has some elements of contemporary design.

where the home uses elements that appear old with a lot of wear and tear but are highly functional. Sometimes, new items are distressed to give the appearance of an antique.

Eclecticism is all about picking ideas and inspiration from a broad and diverse range of sources. The Eclectic Interior Design style creates homes that are rich and layered with ideas picked from design eras and styles spanning centuries.

This style brings contrasting style elements, colors, and textures together for a unique feel. This is chosen by people who prefer a bold décor and like expressing themselves creatively. There are hundreds of options to choose from and the output will depend on how the styles are merged.

For example, if you want to create a bohemian style feel to your living room, then you need to know the minute details of the design style and have access to the boho elements and furnishings that can help create that feel.

The background colors used are usually neutral to allow the designer to highlight the accessories and furniture. Rooms designed with eclectic style have multiple focal points and work on balancing colors and textures to not overwhelm the eye.

The core idea of the eclectic style is to use all the styles from history and create something fresh, unique, and mesmerizing. It is all about creativity and the ability to use the mind freely and innovatively.

Features of eclectic interior design style:

• Many people associate the eclectic home décor with the ‘anything goes’ approach. However, it is a more purposeful and planned way of interior design.
• It is a blend of different styles and periods creating layered home décor.
• An eclectic interior designer uses neutral background colors and uses materials and items in an unexpected manner.
• Walls are usually kept simple. They allow the designer to add accessories that make an impact. A busy wall will fail in bringing out the vibrancy of the accessories.
• Both light and dark colors are used as required in eclectic design. If you want to add warmth and depth to a room, then you can use darker colors. On the other hand, if you want to make a
• Space appears larger or highlights a boho décor, then light colors are your best bet.
• You can play with a lot of textures and patterns to make your eclectic décor harmonize with your mood. Using textures that contrast can create a memorable eclectic feel to your home.
• Remember, play enough to keep the eye interested but avoid overdoing it.
• For an eclectic look, create distinct focal points by mixing and matching frames on a gallery wall. Use smooth textures right next to rough ones like marble next to wood, etc. Also, use soft surfaces next to the hard ones like an industrial coffee table next to a luxurious sofa.
• The eclectic design ensures that everything has a place in each room. Accessories and adornments should have character without burdening the eclectic space.

Colors best suited with eclectic interior design style:

Eclectic homes with a simple color palette are usually accompanied by textures to add interest to the room design. Cohesiveness is the essence of eclectic decorating. Hence, many designers try to use one texture at least thrice throughout the home. To ensure harmony between a variety of styles, designers use contrasting colors and textures to create an eclectic mix.

Regardless of the color scheme, the core palette requires you to choose some core colors to complement the eclectic design. These colors work as a good place to start and create a cohesive and eclectic home décor. Ideally, choose a neutral hue and one accent color to get started. Use a neutral hue throughout the house. This will allow layering of other colors and not make the space seem overbearing. A single hue also helps in unifying the entire design.

Read also – How To Use Color Theory in Interior Design?

Furniture styles to be paired with eclectic decorating style:

Keeping in sync with the theme of the design, furniture styles are a mix of the old, classic, modern, and new. You need to mix and match different furniture design styles to create a unique outcome. Statement pieces are essential in a modern eclectic home. A statement piece can be a piece of furniture or wall art or anything else that makes your eclectic design thrive. You don’t need to bother about coordinating the statement piece. It is meant to stand out and be the focal point of the room.

Additionally, you can add baskets, card tables, drink trays, or bookshelves to the room to make it cozy and comfortable. Also, try combining the old with the new. For example, place a Lucite coffee table and pair it with a Louis XIV sofa. This contrast in design elements is what will make your home truly eclectic.

Industrial Design is a union of style and utility. As the name suggests, an industrial-style home exposes building materials that are otherwise concealed like bare brick walls, pipes, and recycled materials.

The designer tries to create a stylish space with a clear focus on function and utility all while trying to combine modern elements with an organic feel and ancient charm. In industrial-style homes, you can find elements picked from factories, industries, and warehouses.

These homes usually have open floor plans and the furniture is arranged to break the space. It is one of the easiest interior design styles to implement since it banks on a neutral color palette and materials along with some industrial elements. The designer does not have to bank on any cosmetic tricks to make the house look good since the raw industrial elements make a strong statement. 

The core idea of industrial interior design is to use elements from factories and industries with other design styles to create a décor that is tailored to the homeowner.

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A farmhouse is rustic and allows us to unite with nature since it uses a lot of organic and natural materials and furniture designed accordingly. The Farmhouse Interior Design style uses these elements and creates a farmhouse-like vibe in a city home surrounded by concrete.

One of the most highlighting aspects of farmhouse interior design is the fact that each room is driven by a particular element. So, you can have a particular element ruling the living room and a different element ruling the bedroom, etc.

This design style has a minimalistic interior and allows the homeowner to rewind and relax while keeping functionality and elegance in mind. Another essential element of a farmhouse design is the lack of matching furniture or décor as it strictly goes against the rustic style of a farmhouse. Wood being the primary material used in this design style, the modern farmhouse is pretence-free, utilitarian, eclectic, and sophisticated – all at the same time.

The core idea of the farmhouse-style interiors is to use the chic elements from the countryside, modern industrial elements, heirlooms, and artistic elements to piece together a unique, luxurious and relaxing home.

Read also – 7 Ways To Incorporate Steampunk Interior Design In Your Home

The iconic style emanates from France. Its pieces have refocused edges and jagged corners. It’s pronounced with large cabinetwork. The style veers towards the ornate and jewel-suchlike period. It also evokes substance and fineness.

Read also – A Guide To Art Deco Interior Design Style for Your Home

Image Credit: modsy.com

The Boho interior design style is a mark of free-spirited aesthetics that are a combination of culture and cultural expressions to form a miscellaneous style. Its laid aft atmosphere is grounded on nature with some marks of bold patterns and bright colors for its cabinetwork and accentuations.

The style is less strict on order and a blend of patterns and colors is encouraged. It’s streamlined by beast hides, metallic accentuations and rich wood. It favors lush fabrics like hand-woven Moroccan hairpieces concentrated with Japanese block prints and Malian slush clothed gamble pillows.

Its other remarkable features are natural accoutrements, shade and lush green agronomists. Some homes may be decorated with brass and bobby essence with vibrations. Utmost of its accoutrements are collectables from the flea requests in distant locales presumably from passages.

Read also – 8 Best Ways to Tell Your Story Through Interior Design

The coastal interior design is further of memory on a sand holiday with ocean shell collectables in an airy, tranquil led and open space. It’s not a surprise to see crisp, white base concentrated particulars with sky and ocean alleviations. The style generally means drawing out littoral features and incorporating them into your spaces.

The features are substantially natural sand particulars like corals, shells and plums as centrepieces Accoutrements like wood, jute, linen and glass are dominant with the style. It’s also distinguished by lots of light and free-spirited air. The dominant accoutrements are substantially white-washed, natural, and blue tones that allow the sunrays to sludge through the aesthetic spaces.

The french country interior design style is a mix of sophisticated features and other styles like seedy enthusiasm, grange, and traditional. It’s marked by antique cabinetwork pieces and neutral womanlike designs. The design is analogous to the transitional ultramodern innards design style and is a mongrel blend of antique French, grange and seedy sharp styles.

It’s a popular style that evokes comfort and casual fineness. Its distinctive features include vocally patterned fabrics in muted colors, painted and quaint furnishings and accessories. It incorporates lots of wood and other natural accoutrements. It’s also appertained to as the parochial style as it’s further formal and refined.

Its rudiments include rich colors, bold patterns, and gold accentuations. It’s favorable with warm color tinges with medium to low intensities like soft yellows, warm pinks, baby blues and creams. It’s also connected to impregnated colors like sunbaked ochre and deep slipup reds.

Read also – How To Find Your Personal Interior Design Style?

Hollywood glam interior design has been popular in California since the mid-twentieth century. It’s a blend of art décor and mid-century ultramodern. It’s marked by a high discrepancy color combination of hot pink and green and occasionally black and white. Patterns in Hollywood Glam are bold, dateless, and gender-neutral overall.

From fabrics to flooring, Greek key and kiosk patterns, geometrics, and beast prints are all welcome in a Hollywood Glam home. Art deco and neoclassical motifs may also make an appearance. Black and white checkered flooring are a perfect addition to the theme. The chandeliers are paired with high buff or imaged cabinetwork.

You can also incorporate suede, lacquer, leather, and metallic highlights. However, it can round the style. If your client likes wallpaper and carpeting, it will be suitable to incorporate. The style diffuses glamour and luxury marking the design as an epitome of complication.

Read also – 12 Ways To Incorporate Wabi-Sabi Interior Design in Your Home

The japandi interior design is a combination of Scandinavian and Japanese designs. The design is minimalistic and earthy. The Scandinavian part is embedded from Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The design is Nordic and stretched with soft color palettes. It’s completely functional and minimum.

The design highlights organic shapes with subtle interests, tonal textural plays and relaxed prayers. In white spaces and slate undertones. Color pops may be from cultural pieces and throw pillows. The comforting, Zen-like sense of Japanese style innards is fulfilled through the use of natural accoutrements and restrained colors.

These natural rudiments include inner water cradles and using tatami mats as bottom coverings. Tatami is supple straw mats edged in cloth that measure 3-by 6- bases and help establish room sizes. Bamboo, gravestone and other natural accoutrements give the base for a soothing color palette of brown, argentine and green. Soft flowery patterns and colors are incorporated with ornamental crockery and stretched fabrics.

Furniture and accessories tend to be clean-lined and geared towards living near the bottom of the room. It balances with light-toned wood and lots of whites and creams and tans. It’s pronounced with clean lines, bentwood and other natural rudiments. The design is further of an understatement over ostentatious displays.

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Mediterranean interior design’s origin is Greece, Spain, and Italy. It’s distinguished with bends, columns, and interior sundecks. Its cabinetwork is majorly from rich wood tones with ornate features like rattan, gravestone, reclaimed wood and linen.

The color palettes are generally a reflection of the sky and water. It also incorporates warm palettes from terracotta and unheroic. Its windows are distinguishably large covered with minimum sheer curtains.

Read also – 10 Mediterranean Interior Design Decor Ideas

Asian style innards design, occasionally called Oriental design, showcases the societies of Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand and other prominent Eastern societies. Accessories continue this dramatic style by featuring beast motifs and mythological beasts, similar to monkeys and dragons.

Demitasse gusto jars, large vases and fish pots painted with complex patterns in multiple colors or in classic blue and white are also fashionable in Chinese innards. Other swish particulars constantly seen are large wall showpieces, pillars and folding defences, which depict literal characters and fabulous scenes in vibrant or striking color palettes.

It’s a replica of contemporary designs with a focus on satiny lines, remarkable shapes, and relaxing ambient atmospheres. It’s embedded in nature attaining a Zen feel in your spaces. The innards are asymmetrical, exercising circle rather than square shapes.

It’s also marked by window panels and sheer curtains. The panels separate spaces and enhance sequestration. The color palettes are substantially nature-inspired and earth-toned to maintain a serene and calm vibe.

Asian countries are known for their warm weather, coastal style of living, and breezy homes with a lot of natural elements and rattan furniture pieces. There are some interesting elements from the oriental countries that can be used to bring a sense of mysticism and color to a home.

Read also – How to Implement Feng Shui Design in Your Home?

Image Credit: pinterest.com

Rustic interior design is pronounced with natural traces, artificial accoutrements, and a grange charm. It’s established from the alleviation of the Romantic Movement and focuses on the simplicity and the royal beauty of nature. It’s not a surprise that the design is inclined to practical, clean, mannish and minimum spirit.

It’s more inclined to natural and weathered homestretches, raw wood, gravestone and leather. Since it’s grounded on practicality, it’s common to find a fireplace as a statement piece. One can attain the look in their asked house by incorporating raw essence decorations on the bookshelves or reading recesses.

Read also – 14 Best Rustic Bedroom Ideas

The Traditional interior design takes inspiration from different styles from the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a timeless design style and is not rooted in any specific period or era. Consistent and symmetrical, the traditional style is not as eccentric as many other interior designs but not boring either.

The interior designer plays an important role in ensuring that the living space is interesting and makes a statement by using design ideas from the 18th and 19th centuries with a modern twist. It is ideal for homeowners who appreciate antiques and timeless art over eccentricity and modernism.

A traditional home usually has pieces of old world art found by homeowners with an interesting story behind them that can make for some great conversations. Imagine the kind of character a chandelier and rug picked from flea markets in rural Europe that have a history of over 150 years can add to a home! With vibrancy and symmetry being the central theme of the traditional style, rich textiles and colors are used extensively. The interiors have clean straight lines with timeless and functional furnishings.

The core idea of the traditional design style is to create a home that is inviting and warm. Most people associate with tradition in a unique way and that’s what makes homes created with this design style intriguing and interesting.

Read also – 30 Traditional Living Room Ideas

An interesting juxtaposition of the traditional and contemporary interior decorating styles, the Transitional interior design is a modern take on classic design elements. This is one of the most popular interior design styles among the millennial generation since it balances the masculine and feminine elements aesthetically.

It is not easy achieving the balance between form and function when you are modifying classic elements. The designers need to ensure that while modern design ideas can be used to make the classic look interesting, they don’t go over the top and create a home that is more modern/classic than transitional.

Some highlights of a transitional home are simple architecture, clean lines, distinct focal points, metallic accents, and a lot of texture. Many designers use contemporary art in traditional home décor to add glam and a modern twist to the tale of the classic. Minimalistic in approach, elegance and timelessness are the primary areas of focus in this design style.

The core idea of the transitional style is to create a home that feels traditional as well as modern at the same time. The key lies in the right balance between the two that resonates with the personalities of the people living in the house.

Read also – Sustainable and Holistic Interior Design

To find the interior design style that fits you make sure to do some extensive research on each of the styles and choose the one that best fits you, inspires you, and accommodates each and every need.

Building your interior design brand by equipping your clients with different interior designs is critical especially if you want to maintain client flows. The learning content curated by expert interior designers at Foyr Community addresses the differences in different interior design styles from their basic features to how to attain them.

The free courses on how to build a personal brand and community are available on the platform. It will assist you to learn how to be authentic and maintain your clients who will, in turn, refer others.

The Foyr Community network not only helps interior designers offer more value to their clients but also find jobs in the industry. Community members also get a free personal Portfolio website to showcase their unique interior design style and projects. Seek help, teach, learn, collaborate – join Foyr Community for free today.

Design styles are abundant and unique, so it is up to you to find the style that will work best for you. There is also the option of combining elements of several styles in order to get that personal touch. Before commencing with your interior design plans, be sure to research deeper about each of the styles and how different they are from one another. Try Foy Neo for 14-day free trial to design your home with all these interior design styles.