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.
You can take several online quizzes to narrow down your decorating style. There’s a wide range of different styles out there, and different designers give the styles different names. Here’s a brief overview of the most popular ones:
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. 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, relaxed and experimental with lots of color. The purposefully-messy style speaks of freedom and adventure. Homes decorated in Boho style often mix-and-match different patterns, fabric textures, and furniture styles even within a single room. 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.
Modern 
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.
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.
Traditional
Traditional style embraces a timeless, classical 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 uses lots of neutral colors. Traditional couches and chairs often have rolled arms.
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.
