If you’re not a professional interior designer, it can be hard to understand different design styles.
And it can be even more difficult to figure out which design styles you actually like and want to use in your home.
If you have a home renovation coming up, or even if you’re just thinking about doing some redecorating, keep reading. Understanding some popular interior design styles can help you decorate your space in a way that you’ll love and enjoy.
So let’s dive in and talk about the nine most popular interior design styles.
1. Bohemian
Bohemian-style design, also known as the boho style, is inspired by the traveling hippie lifestyle. It focuses on the use of layers, plants, textures, collectibles, and displaying cool things in your living space.
It tends to be very neutral in color and utilizes a lot of woven textures. But you can also take it in a bolder direction by embracing brighter color schemes to really make it pop.
Boho design is artistic and full of life, which is why it’s so popular right now.
2. Traditional
It could be said that the traditional interior design style is best exemplified by the Queen Ann chair.
It has curved lines, is constructed partially of solid wood, and incorporates elements that most people are familiar with.
This is probably the style that your mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother decorated their homes in, and it’s a solid choice for any living space.
It’s simple, but not in a bad way.
This style often features colors like beige, cream, white, and natural wood.
It’s inspired by the styles of the 18th and 19th centuries, and it incorporates elements like classic art, antiques, and European decor.
3. Mid-Century Modern
This design style can be difficult to describe, but it has become very popular over the past few years.
As the name suggests, it takes inspiration from the architectural and design styles of the 1940s, ‘50s, and ‘60s.
If you’ve ever looked at a piece of furniture or decoration that just screamed 1950s, you were probably looking at something mid-century modern.
Flip through an issue of Elle Décor, for example, and you’ll see that more than half of the featured furniture pieces fit into the mid-century modern style.
4. Farmhouse
There are really two different directions that you can take with the farmhouse look. You can go with a ‘classic’ farmhouse look, or you can take it in a more ‘modern’ direction.
As a general rule, the farmhouse style is pretty easy to achieve. Wood beams, black windows, rustic wooden furniture, distressed furniture, white walls — these are all classic farmhouse elements.
One thing to note is that this aesthetic is easier to achieve if you’re starting with a ‘farmhouse-style’ structure. Transforming an NYC apartment into a rustic haven is a bit tougher than a New England cottage.
5. Scandinavian
As you may be able to tell by the name, this aesthetic is inspired by the Nordic lifestyle, as seen in homes in places like Denmark, Sweden, Finland, etc.
It’s really characterized by simplicity, coziness, minimalism, and a general feeling of ‘home.’
But, it also incorporates soft hues, blends of different textures, and modern decor to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
6. Industrial
Industrial is an interesting design style because it strives to bring the look of an old factory into the home while making it attractive and elegant.
Industrial interior design is surprisingly flexible. It utilizes many neutral hues and unique textures, and it deploys strategic lighting and furniture to really set it apart and create the right ‘mood.’
It tends to be a bit on the minimalist side, but it’s also strikingly bold.
7. Minimalist
Minimalist design styles are getting more and more popular as the idea of ‘avoiding clutter’ becomes more mainstream.
This style is generally characterized by one central theme:
Everything in your space must have a function.
If it doesn’t have a function, it doesn’t belong.
Unlike other design styles that allow you to choose design elements based on taste, a truly minimalist space only includes the things you use.
Some minimalist designs aren’t quite as strict, focusing instead on the use of empty space and bold, statement-making decor.
For this reason, minimalism can be an incredibly flexible design aesthetic. A minimalist room is as unique as its decorator!
8. Modern
The modern design aesthetic is characterized by clean lines, neutral colors, and sleek textures.
It’s clean, bold, and makes a clear statement.
You’ll often see metal used in this aesthetic. You’ll also see minimalist elements, a lack of clutter, bold accent colors, and open floor plans.
Art pieces used in these spaces tend to be modern, abstract, and non-traditional.
9. Transitional
Transitional design blends modern and traditional elements together to create a classic but contemporary look.
In this style, you’ll find a lot of neutral shades, large artwork, and wingback furniture. You’ll also find a combination of modern and traditional decorations, like a contemporary light fixture situated over an old-fashioned, neutral-colored shag rug).
Transitional can be a tricky aesthetic to nail until you really get the hang of it. So, be sure to gather plenty of inspiration before you start your project.
Conclusion
There you have it — nine of the most popular interior design styles that anyone can use to make their home look amazing.
All that’s left now is to roll up your sleeves and get to work!
Author Bio
Caitlin Sinclair is the Property Manager at Broadstone Memorial Park. With five years of property management experience and many more in customer service, she has a passion for her community and looks forward to making Broadstone Memorial Park the place to call home.
