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Choosing between interior design styles are a huge part of creating beautiful spaces and setting the right tone for your home. There are countless different styles to select from, each with its own unique characteristics, which can make it difficult to figure out which one is right for you.
In this long form guide, we will explore some of the foundational elements to interior design, the most popular interior design styles, along with basic tips from the pros to help you find your personal style, because whether you want to hire an interior decorator or to DIY, this guide is the 101 of interior design styles.
As a homeowner, keeping your home looking beautiful and up to date is essential. Not only does it make your home more pleasant for you and your family, but it also helps increase its value in the long run. As a renter, your style can easily go with you and building a collection of well made, gorgeous pieces will make every rental feel like your home. If you want to learn all about different modern interior design styles and how you can use it to make over any room in your house, then this is the perfect guide for you!
In it, we will explore everything from the basics of interior design styles, contemporary interior design trends, tips you can use to create a space that looks amazing and reflects your personal style, and lastly, a few styles to avoid.
Whether you are just starting out or have been dabbling in finding your interior design style for a while, there is something here for everyone. So read on and start designing your home like an interior decorator!
The Basics of Modern Interior Design
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Simplicity and Functionality
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Clean and Uncluttered
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Focal Points
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Using Color, Pattern, and Texture
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Choosing Furniture and Fixtures:
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Using Texture and Lighting
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Fine art and decor accessories
Exploring different popular interior design styles
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Minimalist interior design style
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Scandinavian style
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Mid century modern style
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Art Deco interior design
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Transitional decor design style
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Coastal design style
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Contemporary design style
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Bohemian style decor
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What to avoid
The Basics of Modern Interior Design
At its core, the term modern interior design is all about simplicity, functionality, and most current styles lean to minimalism. It focuses on creating spaces that are clean and uncluttered while also incorporating well-designed furniture, fixtures, and other elements to create a cohesive look.
If you are just getting started with interior design styles, then there are certain key concepts that you need to understand in order to make great choices for your home. Some of these include:
Simplicity and Functionality:
In general, modern interior design is all about keeping things simple and functional. Where it differs from traditional interior design style is on the focus of the form. This means avoiding busy patterns and colors, and instead choosing cleaner lines and minimal ornamentation in furniture and fixtures.
In general, modern interior design is all about keeping things simple and functional. This means avoiding busy patterns and colors, and instead choosing cleaner lines and minimal ornamentation in furniture and fixtures.
Clean and Uncluttered:
Another key principle of modern interior design is to create spaces that are clean and uncluttered. Sounds like magic, especially with a few kids, but defining the right sized storage for each room and choosing pieces that fit the space well will create a more open feel in your rooms and make cleaning up easier. Use a hand drawn simple floor plan to help you decide the right sizes before buying. There are a few free apps that make floor plans super easy as well.
Focal Points:
In order to create a cohesive look and feel in modern interior design, it is important to have focal points throughout the room, such as one or two main pieces of furniture or wall art. In a living room, surprise, it’ll be a couch or sofa. The bedroom? I bet you know where my head is at…but for some rooms it will be harder to define, but it’s usually the biggest or tallest item.
A useful tip is to not let there be more than two, at most. That multi-wrap around sectional with a fireplace AND a huge entertainment center? Apologies—but one needs to go. It’s possible to tone one down if you just can’t part with it— blend one into the background through color to fade away. This helps to balance out the space and make it look more intentional.
The last ten years modern twist of open floor plans cause no end of hand wrenching when deciding what are the focal points, thankfully post-Covid, more homes are moving away from it, in preference of defined spaces. But the trick here is to define the space by focal points in eye line. So if you are standing in the kitchen, what can you see? Standing at the front door?
Use the color trick above to help, or marry the focal point colors to help trick the eye into processing it as one focal point. Meaning if you have rich wood tones in your dining table, align the couch color to it, like a rich dark brown, (in my case I have a deep rust sofa with clean lines near a deep toned dining table) or to the other main colors, like the walls. Crème sofa with white walls, dark blush sofa with pale pink walls, etc.
Using Color, Pattern, and Texture:
In addition to simplicity, functionality, and minimalist style, also incorporates use of color, pattern, and texture throughout each room. You can create a fabulous look using a variety of different color schemes, such as monochromatic, analogous, complementary, or split-complementary. These options can be easily explored online to help you find the perfect colors for your space.
A few key ideas around color for most all the styles here (with exceptions being Art Deco or bohemian) include starting with a neutral color palette. What’s good about that is depending on the style, it gives you some freedom to switch it up when you want, without reinvesting in key expensive pieces.
Choosing Furniture and Fixtures:
When it comes to choosing furniture styles and fixtures for you interior design style, it is important to pay special attention to the materials that they are made from and how they fit into the overall style of your home. As a sustainable brand, we emplore you to look for ethical and eco friendly items—read about that here. Some popular options for furniture styles include wood, marble, or glass.
For lighting, depending on the interior design style, you’ll look for matching or non-matching finishes of colored or organic tones like copper, brass, gold, or silver—which has fallen out of fashion, but has its place in styles like coastal or minimalist.
The lines, or the general form of the furniture or fixtures matters too. While I’m not a fan of matchy matchy, and bohemian eclectic style does the opposite, in most cases keep the time periods the furniture is created to represent cohesive.
Using Texture and Lighting:
In addition to color, pattern, and furniture, decor style also focuses on using textured fabrics and lighting to create a more polished look. For example, you can incorporate interesting textiles into your home to help make it feel warmer or more inviting, while also using natural light sources like floor-to-ceiling windows or skylights to brighten up the space.
In combination, these concepts and principles form the basis of modern interior design. By understanding how to use modern elements effectively in your own home, you can create a space that is not only functional and beautiful, but also truly reflects your unique style and personality.
Overall, if you are looking to create a stunning personality for your home, it is important to focus on functionality and find your decorating style. By choosing pieces that are clean and uncluttered, using a variety of colors, patterns, and textures in your design, and incorporating unique lighting sources like skylights or floor-to-ceiling windows into the space, you can create an elegant look that will wow your guests and feel like a true reflection of you and your family.
Fine art and decor accessories, a shameless quick plug.
Here at Ramble & Roam, we love a good piece of art. We hand design a variety of art to match these interior design styles in our East coast studio, using eco-friendly inks, recycled or sustainable papers, and work with a network of high quality printers in each region to cut down on emissions from transportation.
We also specialize in digital remastering of fine art in our collection From the Archives, create wallpaper and work with craftsmen from around the world who sustainably and ethically create beautiful accessories from dishes to textiles, and even rugs. We’ve included an example or two to help explain each style, but this article isn’t about us as much as it is to help guide you in this difficult process of identifying interior design styles that speak to you—we believe a well-lived life starts at home, and want you to have all the access to ‘insider’ knowledge it took us years to learn.
Exploring different popular interior design styles
Interior design is a complex and varied field, encompassing a wide range of styles and techniques. Many interior designers spend a lot of time honing these styles and specialize in their version of just one. It’s worth a search after this article to see more images, look for an interior designer that specialize in your chosen style for inspiration.
Some of the most popular and traditional style styles aren’t covered here, instead we chose to look at stable, modern trends that will stand the test of time and always look great for a beginner to interior design styles. These include contemporary interior design, minimalist interior decor style, bohemian, coastal, modern, transitional style interior design, Maximalism, Scandi Boho, Art Deco, rustic, modern farmhouse, and mid-century modern. Each style has its own unique set of guidelines and characteristics that define it, allowing you to create a home that perfectly reflects your personal aesthetic and tastes.
If you are interested in exploring the world of interior design style, there are a few key elements to keep in mind. First, start by thinking about the overall feel or vibe you want for your space. Do you prefer clean, minimalistic designs with simple lines and bold pops of color, or do you prefer something more whimsical and eclectic? Once you have a sense of your aesthetic, you can begin exploring different modern design styles to find the perfect look for your space.
Each unique interior design style is characterized by simple, clean lines, minimal clutter and decor, and a focus on function and practicality. Working with these principles, you can create a stunning space that perfectly reflects your unique personality, reflects the popular design style, most importantly, your personal style.
Minimalist interior design style
Minimalism is a particular style of interior design that emphasizes great simplicity and minimal ornamentation. This can include clean and uncluttered spaces, geometric or organic forms, and an overall understated aesthetic. Some common elements of minimalism decor include materials like wood or stone, muted colors or monochromatic palettes, and a focus on functionality and simplicity over decorative details.
Whether you are looking to create a minimalist interior design style office space, an elegant living room, or a relaxing bedroom retreat, using minimalism decor principles can help you achieve that polished and sophisticated look. To start, you may want to consider incorporating clean lines and geometric shapes throughout the space, Art to accompany this look could range from line art to geometric, cutouts, or color washes, as well as choosing simple, unfussy furniture pieces that are functional and well-crafted.
Additionally, incorporating natural materials like stone or wood can help to create a warm and inviting ambiance, sensory filled touchable textures are right at home here, while using muted colors or monochromatic palettes can help to keep your space feeling calm and serene.
Ultimately, if you want to create a space that is both beautiful and functional, using minimalism decor principles can be a great way to get started. Whether you are revamping your living room, designing a new office space, or creating a relaxing retreat, focusing on simplicity and functionality is sure to help you achieve the look you desire.
Scandinavian style
Scandinavian interior design style that is characterized by simplicity, minimalism, and functionality. This often involves using clean lines and organic shapes to create a streamlined look, as well as incorporating a variety of different neutral colors throughout the space. Other key elements of this style can include materials like wood or marble, as well as unique lighting fixtures and textiles that add warmth and texture to the room.
If you are looking to create a stunning Scandinavian interior design for your home, it is important to focus on simplicity, functionality, and minimalism in order to achieve the modern look you are going for. Start by choosing furniture pieces that are clean and uncluttered, using a variety of neutral colors throughout the space, and incorporating natural materials like wood or marble. Additionally, be sure to pay close attention to lighting and texture in order to create a polished look that really makes your home stand out. With these tips and techniques, you can create a stunning Scandinavian style that is truly reflective of your individual style and taste.
Mid century modern style
Mid century modern design is characterized by simple, clean lines and a streamlined aesthetic. Mid century style draws inspiration from the mid-20th century, particularly the 1950s and 1960s, and incorporates many of the key elements that were popular during this time period. Some of the key features of mid century modern interior design include minimalistic furniture and fixtures, a focus on simplicity and functionality, a monochromatic color scheme, and an emphasis on natural lighting.
If you are looking to create a space that embodies the essence of mid century modern there are many different elements that you can incorporate into your home. Some popular options include using simple shapes and lines in furniture and fixtures, choosing light or neutral colors for the walls and floors, and incorporating materials like wood, leather, or metal into your design. Additionally, you can use floor-to-ceiling windows or skylights to bring in plenty of natural light and give your home a more open and airy feel.
Overall, mid century modern interior design is a timeless and elegant style that is perfect for those looking to create a simple, understated look in their home. With its focus on simplicity and functionality, this style allows you to make the most of every inch of space in your home while still creating a beautiful, cohesive look that truly reflects your unique style and personality.
Art Deco interior design
Art Deco interior design is a style that combines elegant, streamlined elements with bold, opulent details. This often involves using luxurious materials like marble and glass to create stunning visual effects, while incorporating geometric shapes and patterns throughout the space. Other key features of this style can include high ceilings, bold color palettes, and dramatic lighting fixtures.
If you are looking to incorporate Art Deco design into your home, there are many different elements that you can focus on. Some options include using lots of metallic finishes like gold or silver, incorporating geometric shapes and fringe and patterns into your furniture and decor, and choosing dramatic lighting fixtures that add a bold pops to the space. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to the details when creating an Art Deco interior design, so be sure to use luxurious materials like velvet or silk, and choose bold jewel color combinations that make a statement.
With its mix of elegance and drama, Art Deco interior design is a great choice for those looking to create a truly unique look in their home.
Transitional decor design style
Transitional interior design style is a modern take on classic, traditional design elements. This often incorporates soft, muted colors and clean lines in order to create a stylish and understated look that feels timeless and elegant. Other key features of this style can include neutral color palettes, materials like wood or marble, and carefully curated accessories that add visual interest without being overly busy or cluttered.
If you are looking to incorporate transitional interior design into your home, there are many different elements that you can focus on. Some options include using soft, neutral colors like beige or light gray as the base palette for your space, incorporating natural materials like wood or marble throughout the room, and carefully selecting accessories that add visual interest without being overbearing. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to lighting and create a space that is well lit, but not too bright or harsh.
With its blend of classic, traditional design elements and modern style, transitional decor design is the perfect choice for anyone looking to create a sophisticated and stylish home.
Coastal design style
Coastal design style is a casual and relaxed aesthetic that incorporates natural elements and light, airy colors to create a calming, seaside feel. This often uses muted shades of blue, green, or gray as the base palette for the space, while incorporating plenty of textures like weathered wood or wicker to give the room a more organic feel. Other key features of this style can include touches of nautical decor like seashells or starfish, plenty of natural light, and furniture pieces that are comfortable and inviting.
If you are looking to incorporate coastal design style into your home, there are many different elements that you can focus on. Some options include using weathered wood or natural materials throughout the space, incorporating accents like seashells, starfish, or driftwood to add a coastal touch, and opting for furniture pieces that are comfortable and inviting. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to lighting in order to create a bright and airy feel throughout the room.
Contemporary design style
Contemporary design style is a modern and minimalist aesthetic that uses clean lines, simple shapes, and bold color palettes to create a sleek, contemporary feel. This often incorporates minimal accents and decor to keep the room feeling open and uncluttered, while using bright pops of color to add visual interest. Other key features of this style can include geometric patterns, sleek furniture pieces made from glass or metal, and natural materials like wood that add warmth and texture to the space.
If you are looking to incorporate contemporary design style into your home, there are many different elements that you can focus on. Some options include using bold color palettes as the base of your decor scheme, incorporating geometric patterns in your furniture and accessories, and incorporating materials like wood or metal to create a sense of warmth and texture. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to lighting and create a space that feels bright and open.
Bohemian style decor
Bohemian style decor is a casual, eclectic aesthetic that incorporates bold patterns, bright colors, and unique accessories to create a fun and unconventional atmosphere. This often uses bold color palettes like reds or oranges as the base for the space, while incorporating lots of different textures and materials like rugs or tapestries to add visual interest. Other key features of this style can include plenty of plants and greenery, organic materials like wood or wicker, and colorful accents like pottery or textiles.
If you are looking to incorporate Bohemian style decor into your home, there are many different elements that you can focus on. Some options include using bold colors and patterns throughout the space, incorporating lots of plants and greenery, and choosing accessories like pottery or textiles that are colorful and unique. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to lighting in order to create a bright and airy feel throughout the room.
With its mix of vibrant colors, bold patterns, and eclectic accents, Bohemian style decor is the perfect choice for anyone looking to add some personality and style to their home. Whether you are looking to create a fun space for entertaining or just want a room that feels bright and inviting, this style is sure to help you achieve your goals.
What to avoid
There are two styles that should be avoided, shabby chic interior design and modern farmhouse. They both went a bit too far toward a one note ‘vibe’ that now every dollar store and cheap outlet has a plethora, and both have very vocal anti-trend fan bases.
While even Walmart is carrying better home decor these days thanks to HGTV, a beginner’s mistake like barn doors can have you fast in a place where you feel you’ve spent good money on outdated looks. And if you want to sell, your home value will suffer.
Do you remember mom’s 80’s obsession with country duck paintings and light blue ribboned ceramic geese? Exactly. The new version is the ubiquitous ‘life, laugh, love’ signs and all the Rae Dunn quotes on walls. Buyer be warned. Or the orange kitchens and wooden paneling of the 70’s, these two trends are a lot of look that’s dated already…I feel terrible for people buying houses that are two-toned exteriors, full of barn doors, Rustic wood laundry covers, and vinyl fake planked floors. Reselling those are going to take a lot of money and effort to make something anyone will want in 5 years.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. A big guide to getting rolling with finding your personal style. Here at Ramble & Roam, we love individual style, and we hope this guide gave you quite a few modern but stable, or, traditional style ideas to try out. Minimalist styles, scandinavian styles, transitional design style— they are all great, and will last the test of time. Different styles styles speak to different people…. Which one do you like the best? Whatever is is, enjoy the adventure in building a space you’ll love!
