When it comes to designing or redecorating your home it can be overwhelming to choose from all the styles. Whether you like sleek minimalism or lush eclectic maximalism there’s a style for everyone. Here’s a list of the 21 most popular interior design styles to get you started.
1. Modern Interior Design Styles
Modern is clean lines, neutral colours and functionality, but unlike the contemporary interior design style, which evolves with current trends, modern design remains rooted in a specific time period. Glass, steel and concrete are used to create a sleek look. This style usually incorporates a modern twist.
2. Contemporary Interior Design Style
Often confused with modern design contemporary is ever changing and reflects current trends. It’s minimalist open spaces, simplicity and often a monochromatic colour scheme with bold accents.
The Farmhouse style, on the other hand, embraces a rustic interior design style, characterized by natural materials, industrial elements, and farmhouse aesthetics. This style emphasizes simplicity and nature’s beauty, often featuring a central fireplace and textured fabrics to enhance the cozy ambiance.
3. Minimalist
Minimalism takes the “less is more” to an extreme. Minimal furniture, a neutral colour palette, and emphasis on space are essential in contemporary design, as the neutral colour palette creates a cohesive and calming environment. Clarity and simplicity, calm and clutter-free environments.
4. Industrial Interior Design Style
Inspired by the raw unfinished look of factories and warehouses industrial design features exposed brick, metal and wood. Rugged feel often with high ceilings, large windows and a monochromatic palette.
An interior designer can play a crucial role in creating minimalist spaces by balancing aesthetics and functionality.
5. Scandinavian
Scandi design is function with a cosy hygge feel. Clean lines, muted colours and natural materials like wood and wool are prominent, warm but simple.
The industrial interior design style, rooted in the repurposing of old factories into residential spaces, features exposed materials like brick and concrete. This style has a masculine edge, softened by textures and vintage furnishings.
6. Traditional
Traditional interiors are timeless, often drawing on the traditional interior design style, which incorporates elements from the 18th and 19th centuries. Rich colours, dark woods, ornate details, and lots of texture create warm and inviting spaces that reflect a sense of history and elegance. Elegant with a balance of order and comfort.
7. Transitional
A mix of traditional and contemporary, the transitional interior design style combines comfort with a modern twist. It blends traditional and modern elements, resulting in a neutral and understated aesthetic suitable for various home types. Good if you like classic elements but also want a fresh look.
8. Mid-Century Modern
Mid Century modern styles are based on the 50s and 60s this style is characterised by clean lines, organic shapes and form and function. Warm woods, bold colours and retro furniture are common in mid century modern style.
9. Bohemian
Boho is all about embracing the eclectic and the personal. Layered textiles, vintage furniture, and bold patterns combined with a mix of colours create an artsy relaxed vibe with a touch of wanderlust. It’s often very obvious when you walk into a living room that is decorated in the boho style.
10. Rustic
Inspired by nature rustic design features raw wood, stone and organic elements. Rugged yet warm often with large furniture, open fires and earthy tones. Rustic design elements can significantly enhance the living room, creating a cozy and inviting space that embodies natural beauty.
11. Shabby Chic
Based on French country decor shabby chic is distressed furniture, vintage accessories and soft pastel colours. Romantic and delicate with a mix of elegance and rustic charm.
12. Coastal
Coastal design is a laid back beach house feel. Light blues, whites and sandy tones dominate with natural materials like driftwood and sea inspired decor creating a calm and breezy atmosphere.
13. Farmhouse
Farmhouse is rustic charm with modern comforts. Barn doors, large tables, reclaimed wood and a neutral colour scheme. Cosy, inviting and full of character. Farmhouse is also one of the popular interior design styles due to its blend of warmth and practicality, making it a favourite for many homeowners.
14. French Country
French country is elegance with rustic charm. Soft colours, ornate furniture, distressed wood and floral patterns are all part of this look inspired by the French countryside.
15. Art Deco
Art Deco is glamorous bold geometric shapes, rich colours and luxurious materials like marble and gold. Opulent and sophisticated 1920s and 30s.
16. Hollywood Regency
Similar to Art Deco Hollywood Regency is glamorous luxurious fabrics, bold colours and statement furniture. But more playful and focused on creating a dramatic high fashion interior.
17. Eclectic
Eclectic interior design style is all about mixing and matching elements from various styles, periods, and locations to create a space that’s highly personal and unique. A combination of different styles, textures, and colours creates a layered and visually engaging environment. The key is balance, so the room still feels cohesive and purposefully curated rather than an unfocused ‘anything-goes’ method. This design style more often than not incorporates numerous design styles, often modern style, art deco, a splash of traditional style and usually feels like a transitional interior design style.
18. Victorian
Grand, opulent and full of character. Dark wood, velvet drapes, intricate wallpaper and lots of ornate details. Victorian design draws on 19th century British interiors. The victorian style can often incorporate a little eclectic interior design style as well.
19. Modern Farmhouse
A mix of modern and rustic warm, inviting and chic. Modern farmhouse uses clean lines and contemporary furniture with reclaimed wood, shiplap and natural materials. This design style often has a fe shabby chic items thrown in.
20. Japandi
Japandi is a combination of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality. Simplicity, natural materials and muted colours create peaceful and harmonious spaces.
21. Mediterranean
Inspired by the homes of Greece, Italy and Spain Mediterranean design is warm and inviting. Stucco walls, terracotta tiles and wrought iron details with earthy tones create a rustic yet elegant look.
FAQ
- What’s the difference between modern and contemporary interior design? Modern design is a specific style based on the early to mid 20th century clean lines, minimalism and industrial materials. Contemporary design is more fluid and reflects current trends often incorporating a broader range of styles and elements. The term ‘style interior’ encompasses various design aesthetics, including Neo-Industrial, Eclectic, and Bohemian styles, each characterized by unique elements, materials, and themes.
- How do I choose the right interior design style for my home? Start by thinking about your personal style and lifestyle. Do you like simplicity or rich textures and colours? Think about the function of the space and what makes you feel comfortable. Don’t be afraid to mix styles to create a space that’s yours.
- What are the most budget friendly interior design styles? Minimalism, Scandinavian and bohemian are relatively budget friendly as they often focus on fewer, functional pieces. Upcycling and vintage shopping can also help you get a stylish home without breaking the bank.
- Can I mix different interior design styles? Yes! Eclectic design is all about mixing and matching different styles but even in other styles you can incorporate elements from other designs. The key is to balance and make the space feel cohesive.
- Which interior design style is best for small spaces? Scandinavian, minimalist and contemporary work well in small spaces as they focus on simplicity, functionality and light, neutral colours to make the space feel bigger.