Different Interior Design Styles & What They Mean
There are so many Interior Design ‘Styles’ to choose from, and it can get a little confusing. On my first blog post I’ll be giving you a brief description of the different styles that you’ll most likely see on social media or hear designers talking about. Deciding on which style you fall into is a necessary process if you’re planning to redecorate or completely renovate your home. When clients choose one of my services, such as a single room visualisation, I find it really helps me to have an idea of what style suits them before I begin.
Here I’m going to list the ones that I get asked about the most, this is not meant to be and exhaustive list, as styles are constantly changing and evolving, and many if not most people like a combination of both. That is where the fun comes in for me!
TRADITIONAL
Traditional is one of the oldest, and most common design styles so let’s start with that. The traditional style is rooted in heritage and traditional shapes and forms. You will often find pieces that have not changed at all since they were first created hundreds of years ago. It is all about conscious layering, formality, and incorporating pieces with structure and symmetry.
BOHO
Bohemian style (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 colours. It’s exotic, it’s playful and it’s very layered.
ORGANIC
It’s neutral, it’s inviting and it’s casual. It relates to modern in its clean aesthetic and color palette but this style is all about layering neutral textiles and textures to create interest rather than introducing additional color. In this style, you’ll find lots of light-toned woods and relaxed textiles mixed with iconic lighting done in black, brass, and chrome.
ECLECTIC
For all intents and purposes, this could be called the slightly more refined cousin of Boho. It has a lot of similarities as far as the collected nature, the colour combinations, and the curated aesthetic. However, the pieces are less organic and more styled. Eclectic rooms could be filled with iconic pieces from just about every style, and when done right it all works together.
MODERN
On the opposite end of the spectrum from Boho or Eclectic, lies modern. Many people feel modern can be cold, stark, and sterile. But – in reality, modern style is very much rooted in square shapes and forms. You won’t find anything in this style with extra embellishments, and typically the style has a more neutral color palette with the occasional pop of color.
FARMHOUSE
This style has become very mainstream in the last 5 years thanks to a surge in barn conversions and rural renovations. 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, stripes, 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.
LUXE
This style is filled with luxe (luxurious) textiles like leather, suede and velvet, and jewel-toned colours. 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.
INDUSTRIAL
Just as the name states – the origins of this style ooze factories and machines. It can feel 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 colour palette and the use of found objects which instantly can give the room some soul and character.
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 by the seaside. 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.
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 still remain fresh, modern, and relevant. The lines on many mid-century pieces are simple, clean, and minimal and are made out of warm woods with purposeful details and style.
MINIMALIST
A style that has similar cues to modern – minimalist, has very 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.
SCANDINAVIAN
Hailing from its namesake, Scandinavian design is very much Nordic in its roots. It has some similarities to organic modern but feels a bit more simplistic and minimal in its approach. When colours are used, it’s a very soft colour 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.