Not sure what fabric to buy for your new curtains? Can’t decide on a color for repainting your walls? Maybe the problem is that you haven’t discovered your decorating style yet.
Our individual personalities influence the kind of decorations we find most pleasing in our homes. A traveler who collects eclectic souvenirs from their trips won’t be happy with a minimalist house with no room to display their treasures. On the other hand, a busy professional who hates clutter wouldn’t want to live in a room decorated with mismatched prints and piles of accent pillows.
There’s a wide range of different styles out there, and different designers give the styles different names. And even though there are several online quizzes out there that can help you narrow down your decorating style, doing so can still feel like a challenge. To make help make it a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular decorating styles out there. Perhaps after knowing more about them, you’ll be able to nail down which one suits you the most.
Traditional
Traditional style embraces a timeless, classic look. It’s perfect for those who want their home to look tasteful and elegant without pushing decorating boundaries. This style generally has a formal feel and often features:
- Elegant, soft curved lines (traditional couches and chairs often have rolled arms)
- Neutral colored walls (taupe, beige and soft grays)
- Classic European decor
- Wood accents (mahogany, teak, and cherry)
- Symmetrical arrangement of art and decor
- Vibrantly colored artwork and accessories
- Decor and furniture in rich shades of brown, burgundy and navy
Contemporary
Contemporary design is ideal for keeping up with current styles. While contemporary interiors are a bit minimalistic, they can still be both comfortable and welcoming.
Some key elements of contemporary design include:
- Subtle graphic patterns
- Streamlined, modern furniture
- Neutral colors with pops of bold colors throughout
- Accent lighting
- Natural, earthy accents of wood and metal
- Soft and rounded lines, shapes and forms
- Minimal accessories
Transitional
Transitional design is perfect for those who appreciate the comfort and warmth of traditional design and the clean lines and sleekness of the contemporary look. Decorating in transitional style gives you the best of both without going to extremes–a meeting in the middle, so to speak. This blending of contemporary and conventional gives spaces a distinctive look that’s streamlined and harmonious, which for many homeowners, is just right.
Some basic elements that make transitional distinctive are:
- Subtle color palettes
- Warm to chocolate brown wood tones
- Tasteful, signature pieces displayed
- An abundance of texture and pattern
- Mirrored, glass and metallic furnishings and decor
Modern
Often mistaken for contemporary design, modern decorating styles can go in several different directions. The basic style has clean lines and minimalist decor. Color is often incorporated in bold patterns, like with contemporary rugs. The closely related style Industrial Modern stays minimalistic but often incorporates raw steel, up-cycled decorating items, and exposed brickwork in the walls. Mid-Century Modern style merges furniture styles from the mid-1900s with modern minimalism. Modern styles are popular for homes and apartments in cities.
Cottage
This is a laid-back style that focuses on creating a comfortable atmosphere. It often incorporates natural items, like driftwood, and uses light colors to make the room feel open and airy. Coastal style is closely related to cottage style. Neutrals, earth-tones, blue and green are common colors used when decorating cottage style. Cottage interiors usually showcase wood flooring accented with natural-fiber rugs. Furnishings are simple, practical, and gently aged. The style is often rounded out with decorative accents like vintage frames, fresh flowers, folk art, and old lamps. If you live near the sea, love the open air, and/or want a house that feels calm and peaceful, this could be the style for you.
Boho
The boho style is carefree and relaxed. In a nutshell, the purposefully-messy style speaks of freedom and adventure. Some typical elements of Boho style include:
- Lack of trends (it’s a state of mind, rather than look)
- An abundance of art
- Boldness with color, texture, and pattern
- A nook to foster creativity
- A beautifully decorated bed
- Mixed–not matched–furnishings
- Soft lighting
- Lots of decorative accents
Many items used in Boho decorating are recycled or repurposed. Rugs are a popular decorating item, including Persian rugs if they fit in the budget.
Rustic
The “rustic” label includes styles you might see described as shabby chic, farmhouse, and country. Like the cottage styles, rustic decorations are more casual than either traditional or modern decorating. It’s an inviting style that works well for people who like to entertain informally and want their home to feel lived-in.
Eclectic
Eclectic style is ideal for those who have more than one preferred decorating style. A certain confidence is broadcasted when it comes to an eclectic space because there is no choosing between profiles or periods. With that said, true eclectic is well thought out and has a purpose. While certainly a celebration of contrasts, adhering to the fundamentals of good design is what makes eclectic style look clever rather than chaotic.
Smart use of pattern, texture, finish, shape or color are what give eclectic design its pulled-together look. Typically, background colors are neutral making it possible for the unique art and furnishings (an easy and sensible mix of old and new) to be the stars of the show. Personal touches are often handmade items or items with sentimental value.
Zen
This style incorporates Asian design elements to create a relaxing space. Blue and green are considered calming colors, so they’re often used in this style and paired with natural wood and stone. Solid-print fabrics with a subtle texture work well for pillows and curtains used in zen style homes. This style works well for anyone who wants their home to feel like a retreat from the rest of the world.
Do any of these design styles sound like you? If so, come by one of the showrooms to see us. From fabrics to lighting to decorative accessories, we have something to suit every design style!
