Learn about 12 of the most popular interior design styles · Art Deco design style · Bohemian style · Coastal or Hamptons · Contemporary or modern · Country. Continuing our tour of the most popular interior design styles, it's time to highlight the bohemian style. Bohemian homes, known as the carefree and carefree children of the interior world, refuse to follow a set of design rules. Instead, they will have a range of textures, materials and finishes to achieve a unique effect.
The interior design style combines vintage furniture, cushions, lighting accessories and rugs with colorful decorative items from all corners of the world. The bohemian style is known for blending styles, cultures and eras of interior design. There is usually a strong sense of eclecticism in bohemian homes. Old couples with new and opulent pieces are found next to those found in flea markets, and there isn't a strict color combination.
Of course, a tour of the most popular interior design styles wouldn't be complete without contemporary or modern style. To understand this concept, you might think that contemporary homes are current in every sense of the word. They usually adopt popular interior design trends and combine a variety of styles. Functional, straight and clean; this is how Danes, Swedes, Norwegians and Finns love it your furniture.
And now people from all corners of the world like the Scandinavian style too. This design movement puts love for nature at the forefront and, as such, Nordic design uses almost exclusively natural materials, such as local woods and rattan, as well as linen, cotton and leather. Often, this material palette is complemented by a simple color combination, such as white, gray and beige. The accents are mainly added in light pastel tones or, for true Scandinavian lovers, with design objects such as chairs by Fritz Hansen, lamps by Louis Poulsen and decorative objects by Ferm Living or Muuto.
Japandi houses combine Japanese and Scandinavian styles to create relaxing interiors inspired by nature. The boho aesthetic departs from any style and, instead, embodies a more playful and free-spirited aspect. Whether in cafés, beach bars or restaurants, bohemian style is omnipresent and has been making its way into our homes more and more in recent years. The word, short for bohemian, originated in France in the early 19th century as a term to refer to Roma who were believed to have come from Bohemia and referred to their lifestyle unconventional.
Rebel artists adopted the informal style at the end of the 19th century, and their aesthetic heirs would end up being the hippies of the 60s and 70s, who adopted many of the typical elements of the look. Today, bohemian and eclectic refer to a versatile interior design style in which almost anything goes. New furniture can be mixed with old items from the flea market, and it's nice to have six different chairs around a large table. As for decoration, the focus is on untreated natural materials, such as wood and rattan, and on attractive fabrics such as cotton, mohair and linen (often in beige, brown and olive).
Decorative pieces can add bright yellows or blues, striking patterns, wild fringes, or dazzling embroidery. Batik, macrame and other simple crafts are also common and offer a great opportunity for home projects, such as hammocks, wall hangings or hanging baskets. Above all else, the bohemian style is personal and individual. Even if you don't live near the ocean, you can bring Mediterranean aesthetics to your home.
What do a Mallorcan estate, a villa in Provence and a small white house on the Greek islands have in common? The relaxed, rustic and welcoming spirit of the Mediterranean. For those who live in less sunny places and don't want to miss out on the serenity and the seaside feeling, bringing the Mediterranean look to their home is the perfect solution. The key is a mix of light colors, earth tones and touches of warm accents. Think white, beige, forest green, and terracotta complemented by ochre, orange and sky blue.
The most popular materials are clay, raffia and linen, as well as local olive or pine wood. For both floors and walls, colored mosaics or handmade zellige clay tiles are particularly suitable. And of course, don't miss the opportunity to display colorful ceramic tableware and Mediterranean plants and herbs, which not only give a special touch, but are also useful for cooking. Are you sick of the gray urban jungle? With rustic-style furniture and accessories, the charming look of a cottage that originated in 17th-century Britain can easily reach your home, no matter if you live in a big city or a remote enclave.
The most informal of all interior design styles is the industrial look, a trend that was born out of necessity in the 1960s and is still thriving today. Brick walls, pipes and steel structures are deliberately left exposed to help achieve a dramatic effect. Patinated wood, weathered leather and rough concrete create a relaxed, weathered look with a masculine touch. If you don't want to give up comfort, you can retouch things with colored leather and velvet cushions in dark tones of rust, green or blue.
For a pop of color, add simple plants, such as cacti, colorful glassware or an old Persian carpet or tin signs from visitors to the flea market. Feel free to mix the old with the new and look for DIY projects. For example, scrap steel or copper pipes make cabinets and shelves easy to build. The culmination of two highly prized styles, “Coastal Cowgirl” is the meeting point of coastal decor and western.
Plus, it's ideal for the South, explains Bryan Johnson, executive director of Shades of Light. Combining these two styles, decorating like a coastal cowgirl means creating a very spacious and bright space that also includes rustic elements. This means mixing bedding with reclaimed wood, Johnson says, and topping it all off with “classic American details and accessories,” such as a horseshoe, a branch or a Route 66 sign. Let's start with the style with the pedigree more robust.
When many people say the word “traditional”, what they mean is “from the aesthetic traditions of 18th and 19th century European interiors, especially French and English interiors. This style is all about formality, and when executed properly, spaces feel elegant and refined. Traditional interiors prioritize symmetry and layers, and rely heavily on architectural details. Think moldings, wood paneling, dark wood finishes, creamy neutral colors, details in rich colors, and furniture sets that combine.
The traditional aesthetic can sometimes be a little boring in modern open-plan homes, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on aesthetics completely. There are quite a few styles that are inspired by traditional aesthetics to create timeless and modern approaches to today's homes. One such style is the following. In many ways, the transitional aesthetic is sentimental, since it takes advantage of the nostalgia of grandparents' antiques and adapts them to the modern world.
Think earthy tones combined with traditional moldings or dark wood antiques along with more organic and subdued furniture. Usually, this style favors intense accents on a neutral background with an emphasis on texture rather than pattern. That said, eclecticism has no fixed rules. Its layered nature makes it ideal to combine with many other styles, but it takes a little patience to create a good collection.
Maximalism increases volume and emphasizes bold and unexpected design choices. The pattern is paramount here, as are the rich colors and the layers of visual texture. It's easy to overdo it with this style, so it's important to start small. A good starting point is to add one or two eye-catching elements to your space, such as a patterned wallpaper with matching printed pillows.
The bohemian look is the more accessible brother of eclecticism. With a long tradition, the bohemian style is relaxed and exuberant, and is inspired by the colors and lifestyles of cultures around the world. If you're a traveler or a collector, this style will suit you. Like eclecticism, there are actually no established rules for this style.
However, some key elements would be natural textures such as rattan and jute, warm mixed metals, bold patterns and colors, and layered lighting. Handmade products are also a common feature, in particular block prints, macrame and other woven or printed pieces. While color palettes can vary widely, warm neutrals are a good place to start, especially with wood finishes. The bohemian style is inherently fun, making it ideal for those who enjoy a casual atmosphere and relaxed.
Color palettes are generally subdued, contrasting textures are common, and striking visual forms are a must. Although many of the key elements of this style reflect the transitional aspect, the contemporary style opts for more modern elements due to its personality and modern style, using reflective materials such as glass and polished metals to achieve a glamorous and, at times, even industrial finish. The glamorous style is rooted in the classic art deco style, with an emphasis on curved furniture, lush textures, bright tones and reflective surfaces. The style evolved over time to become what is known as glam or Hollywood glam, which dates back to the golden age of Hollywood.
Nowadays, this style is more popular as a way to enhance the neutral elements of contemporary and modern styles. To take advantage of this style, look for bold accessories and furniture in luxurious fabrics such as satin, suede and velvet. Window treatments are a great place to start. Mirrored surfaces, lacquered carpentry and glass will also add some of that classic art deco glitter.
And for the daring, nothing reflects Hollywood glamor like the animal print or a bold tone everywhere. Modernism as an aesthetic evolved from the belief that design should be simple, functional and accessible. New shapes and textures were born as a result of technological and material advances at the beginning of the 20th century, and brought us the elegant and minimalist spaces that we now consider modern. The sinuous shapes, the curved chrome legs of the chairs, the simple and precise machine details and the minimalist decoration define this style. This style is an excellent base for people looking to create clean, minimalist spaces.
While modern spaces can sometimes be a little understated, adding contemporary elements such as earthy tones and varied textures can go a long way in softening things up and integrating this style into more traditional spaces. Like its predecessor, the mid-century modern style is a style defined by an era. In particular, the post-war American era of the 1950s and 1960s. The basic design elements of this style are the fork-shaped legs, warm wood tones such as teak and rosewood, and vibrant earthy color palettes.
Curved shapes and intentional details also define much of the furniture and lighting. This style is truly versatile, but it looks particularly good in handcrafted bungalows and post-war apartment buildings from the same era. Mixing a few mid-century pieces is also a great way to simultaneously modernize your space and give it a retro touch. It's ideal for those who don't want to have a demanding space, but want a little personality.
Combine bohemian elements for a more casual look, or choose an Eames armchair for a total retro effect. With its foundations in modernism, the minimalist style takes clean lines and combined style to even simpler depths. Much of the minimalist spirit comes from modern-era Japanese design, with an emphasis on functional, subtly detailed furniture and sparse decor or anything strange. The key is to leave a lot of negative space so that everything you see has a purpose.
The industrial style adopts many of the principles of modernism such as lifestyle and aesthetics, but with a clearly worn touch. Think rough wrought dark steel instead of shiny chrome, exposed infrastructure, and brick instead of carefully hidden elements. Polished concrete, sculptural lighting and structural-looking furniture elements unite both styles. In general, the industrial style is best suited to high spaces with exposed bricks and large factory windows, but that doesn't mean you can't also include elements of the style in your own home.
The industrial style works especially well as a kind of aesthetic counterpoint to many of the softer and more subdued styles. Combine a steel-framed coffee table with your soft Scandi sofa or combine a loose leather armchair with your more traditional upholstered two-seater sofa. Contrasting textures and colors will go a long way to making your space feel unique and cohesive. The modern style of a country house is a contemporary style that has become so present that it now has its own nickname.
A modern farmhouse is about taking the worn and uningenious elements of classic country house styles, such as boat overlays, barn doors, and raw plank floors, and elevating them to create something that's more haute couture than country. This style has also become omnipresent enough to easily fit a variety of homes, but it favors the concept of suburban open space. The goal is to have a space that feels elevated yet comfortable. Imagine if modern farmhouse style and industrial style merged into a single style and then did a few rounds with a belt sander.
That's the best way to imagine the rustic style. The rustic design is based on the worn look of old country houses, with less bleaching than modern ones and even more raw wood. Worn parts, found objects and vintage elements, including the crudest industrial touches, are also a perfect fit. A neutral earthy palette works well here, but adding more printed touches, such as vichy squares, or textures, such as canvas and flannel, will help emphasize the more rustic feel.
This isn't your grandmother's wicker and seashell beach house style. The coastal aesthetic, sometimes called modern coastal, aims to create a contemporary oasis. As expected, the color palette is based on navy blues, nautical stripes, sandy tones, and lots of crisp, bright whites to create a relaxed and, well, beachy atmosphere. Natural light is essential in this style, as is the emphasis on large windows, so window treatments are usually minimal and vaporous. The English country aesthetic is a mixture of styles, with traditional elements, references to the shabby chic style and even a bit of pastel maximalism.
However, in essence, the English country style is pastoral and delicate. The distinctive features of this style are floral prints, meticulously detailed upholstery and the pastries. Like eclecticism, this style works well with a combination of vintage pieces ranging from worn farmhouse elements to more refined antiques. A crystal chandelier wouldn't be out of place, nor would a few touches of cane or rattan.
This style is best known for its refined feminine aesthetic and works best in spaces with more traditional architectural details that can contrast or complement soft tones. The best thing is that many of the elements in this style can be easily used to add a touch of saccharine sophistication to any space. If you're looking for a starting point, consider damask wallpaper or decorative pillows and screens with tassels. Like other modern styles, geometric designs and high-contrast artwork will make you feel at home.
They will also combine especially well with other natural elements and hand-spun textures that this style favors. If you like the simplicity of modern styles, but you want a more dynamic touch, then this style is perfect for you. Lexie is an adjunct editor at Forbes Home and has more than 6 years of professional experience as a writer and editor in the area of home improvement. He previously worked on sites such as HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie's List).
The furniture is usually functional and not decorative, and recent interpretations often include concrete or raw wood floors. There are a lot of popular interior styles to highlight, and rustic is one of the most popular and is found in homes around the world. Minimalism, then, is not only about eliminating all decoration in favor of clean surfaces and walls, but also about leaving disposable objects aside. Modern lighting will also go a long way in providing an eclectic touch, as will adding furniture and decorative pieces with more modern textures and patterns.
However, while wrapping the entire house in a layer of bubble-pink paint may not be an overly durable decor option, striking touches of feminine features, such as colorful, ruffled accessories and finishes, won't go out of style anytime soon. In the most popular interior design styles, Scandinavian is inspired by houses in the Nordic countries. Minimalist styles ask decorators to consider consumption patterns, not to eliminate all decoration and ornamentation for the sake of aesthetics. Today's most popular decor trends show that, even as more and more time passes, Southerners are still holding on to the most beloved design staples.
When decorating a home, knowing the differences between the most popular interior design styles can make all the difference in refining your personal tastes and creating the perfect room.
