The 10 most Popular Interior Design Styles Explained
Knowing what your personal interior design style starts with understanding the different types of design. In this blog post we will break down the top 10 most popular interior design styles.
Top 10 Styles
Traditional
The traditional style takes inspiration from the 18th and 19th centuries. Rich tones, ornate furniture and luxe fabrics are common elements in this design style.
Other key features of this style include:
Using symmetry whenever possible
Wall / ceiling detail and framed paintings
Draperies
Dark wood furniture
Classic patterns such as Damask, Toile, and Floral
Design by Significant Homes LLC
Pro Tip: If you like the look of Traditional design but overall it is a little "too fancy" for you. Find some antique furniture for your space. You can never go wrong with a timeless piece of beautifully crafted furniture.
Transitional
This style is similar to Traditional but a bit more attainable. More casual and relaxed if you will. Transitional style is arguably the most popular interior design style of the moment because it uses elements from both Traditional and Modern styles. If you want your home to feel timeless, this is the style for you.
Other key features of this style include:
A mix of Modern and Traditional Elements
Balance of masculine and feminine
The perfect mix of luxury and comfort
It's common to see more traditional finishes paired with modern + unique lighting.
Modern
Think of Modern as the opposite of Traditional design. Modern design uses clean, simple lines, minimal color pallet (most of the time) and lot of natural light. The easiest way to define this style is simple.
Other key features of this style include:
Crip, lines in furniture, patterns and architectural elements.
Asymmetry is often used in this style.
A mixture of materials, like metal, wood, plastic, and glass.
Pro Tip: Don't overthink it. When it comes to Modern think Minimal.
Contemporary
As an interior design concept, contemporary design is in style right now. This can be a bit confusing. Right now contemporary design is using a lot of curved lines, minimal color pallet and a mixture of metals and textures. This is why it commonly gets confused with modern. However this does not mean that in the future contemporary could lean more vintage or traditional.
Key Features of contemporary:
Simple curves
Minimal color pallet
Minimal decor
Multiple natural textures and material
Pro Tip: This style tends to lean more "high end". For inspiration look for the hottest new, cutting edge thing.
Image via Pintrest
Mid-Century Modern
Mid Century Modern refers roughly to the time period roughly between the end of World War II through the mid 1970s. The MCM (Mid Century Modern) style hit its popularity in the middle of the 20th century, hence the ‘mid century’ part of its name. The modern part comes from the style’s futuristic vibe.
Key elements of Mid-Century Modern Design:
Natural Wood (mainly walnut and maple)
Earthy inspired elements, like wood, brick, metal, leather and terrazzo
Inviting and comfortable
Pops of fun natural colors
(check out a more in depth view of the style - head to our Mid-Century Modern blog post.)
Industrial
This style draws inspiration from the Industrial Revolution. So think big factories, tall lofty spaces, and raw building materials. Overall this style is very masculine. It uses a law of raw materials such as brick, metal, worn wood, and concrete. This style relies heavily on the architecture of the space.
Pro Tip: If you have the option to see "the guts" of something go for it! What we mean is, if there are exposed gears, wires, valves, nuts and bolts that's the one you want. Example frosted light bulb or Edison light bulb. Industrial always calls for the Edison.
Industrial Design Key Elements:
Raw wood floors and concrete floors
Exposed brick walls, open ceilings with wood or metal beams exposed
Edison style lighting
Dark color pallet; black, gray, dark blue, brick red
Heavy on the leather and metal furniture
Scandinavian
In Scandinavian countries, the winters are long and day light hours are short which is why the "scandi" design uses a lot of warmth to create and inviting cozy atmosphere. Overall this design style is fresh, light, bright and natural.
Pro Tip: Keep it light and natural. A scandi color pallet is mostly white, and cream. Don't be scared to throw in natural wood tones, any shade of green and other neutrals like tan, brown, and taupe.
Image: By NorticKnots
Elements of Scandinavian Design:
Natural wood accents in furniture and architecture
Shades of warm white
Add textures with cozy textiles and white plaster
Don't forget the greenery
Boho
Boho is a combination of a few different styles in addition to some distinct bohemian elements. Many boho spaces use Mid-Century furniture and have a Scandinavian vibe. What makes them boho are the layers of textiles and colors. When you think boho a good place to start is think "hippie".
Bohemian Key Design Elements:
Texture on texture on texture
3 main color pallets: South Wester, Bright, Neutral
Rattan, and raw wood pieces
Calling all crazy plant parents
Modern Farm House
We've seen this styling growing in popularity for the last 5 years or so. It draws on traditional elements as well as some more rustic ones. This style is a combination of classic farmhouse with elements like raw brick, and modern with elements like black metal accents.
Bohemian Key Design Elements:
Rustic wood
White / Cream paint
Lantern light fixtures
Black accents
Design by: House of Harper
Eclectic
Eclectic design has something for everyone. It's a combination of any and all styles you want. Throw everything we just told you out the window and recall what you learned in art class all those years ago. Because eclectic style is a combination of multiple styles, in order to pull it off you need to rely on the main principals of design:
Contrast
Balance
Emphasis
Movement
Negative Space
Proportion
Hierarchy
Repetition
Rhythm
Pattern
Unity
Design by - Jean Stoffer Design
Electric Key Design Elements:
Use multiple design styles to create a space that is all your own!
Interior Design Style
We hope next time someone asks you what your style is you can answer them with confidence! Did we miss a style you would like to learn more about? Let us know! We would love to answer any design questions you have.