Style Guide: Furniture, Home Decor and Interior Design
We want to help you make the best possible decision when it comes to the look and style of your treasured abode. Whether it is your home or office, the design will influence your level of comfort and the quality of your life. We have provided a list of the top interior design styles. Straightforward, informative and fun, you will be one step closer to knowing the style that matches your taste!
Scandinavian
Sleek and seamless.
Scandinavian design style is modern minimalism at its finest. It focuses on simplicity and function.
Scandinavian design comes from the Nordic countries, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. The style became popular after World War II in the 1950s. It utilizes materials such as wood, polypropylene, fiberglass and molded plywood in an ergonomic and efficient way. This style is popular not only in the home but also in the industrial design realm. It's simple, clean lines and organic shapes showcase a strong connection to the natural world.
Tips:
Stick to muted, neutral tones as a base with splashes of color such as sea green and berry red. White walls and wood floors are almost a given in the style.
Plants, botanicals, sheepskin and wool blankets make perfect accoutrements.
Allow as much natural light into your space as possible.
Keep it minimal, use your space wisely. Choose multi-level shelving and modular furniture. Avoid clutter and keep things organized.
An emphasis on wood in conjunction with another material like metal or molded plastic is another way to weave this style into your space.
Add some modern Danish furniture. Keep an eye out for tapered and splayed legs, smooth tops and clean-cut lines that blend in with their environment. Wood and metal are frequently combined.
-Hans Wegner style Shell Chair
Famous Scandinavian furniture examples include the Finn Juhl Chieftain Chair and the Hans Wegner Shell Chair.
Rustic
Homely and natural.
Rustic design is emphasizes rough, natural materials. Thinks stone, hand-hewn wood beams, solid, hand-made furniture. It has a warm, cozy, worn-in style reminiscent of a lodge or cabin. The style is a bit of a catch all, you could include Tuscan, Coastal, Farmhouse, Cottage and Shabby Chic styles under the Rustic banner, there are many similarities.
Early forms of Rustic and Shabby Chic were taken from the French Chateau, the American Shakers and large country homes in Great Britain.
Place handmade wood furnishings with cotton and wool upholstery throughout your space. Fixtures, cabinets and furnishings often have a distressed, worn and vintage appearance.
Stick to neutral tones and whitewashed walls paired with wooden and worn fixtures. Do not be afraid to add pops of color but keep organic as the foundational component to your design.
Add accents such as bundles of hanging lavender, scented heather twig brooms, hanging plants, flowers and macramé textile wall hangings. If you want to add a touch of shine, burnished or patina metallic accents are the way to go. Use wooden benches in place of individual seating at the dining table and lean towards metal sled bases on wooden sideboards and tables. Just stay away from anything modern in this style.
Also, steer away from too many clean, sharp lines. Embrace imperfections in the wood grain and allow natural flaws to be noticed.
Rustic and Shabby Chic style share similar attributes as Bohemian style. The difference being that Bohemian style places more emphasis on the decor and accents whereas Rustic and Shabby Chic style still uses minimalism as a foundational component in the design.
Maybe you have heard of Rustic Contemporary. This style slightly differs from Rustic and Shabby Chic. To achieve Rustic Contemporary, steer away from too many distressed and raw furnishings. Go for a cleaner look with straight lines and mainly the use of wood. Preferably, Scandinavian and Minimalist style furniture. Accents can stay the same.
Bohemian
Cluttered and cozy.
Bohemian design style shares similar attributes to Rustic and Shabby Chic but with more emphasis on decor. It is characterized by comfy accents, cozy furnishings and layered artistic flair.
Hang a decorative wall tapestry, choose a platform bed with a canopy draping down or create a photo collage with a mixture of metallic and wooden frames as wall art. Place many soft pillows, plush cushions, knit or crochet throw blankets and intricate little details throughout your space. Creating visual interest and a relaxed feel is key to Bohemian style.
An effective way to accomplish this style is purchasing low profile furniture and layering various patterns in one space. Avoid minimalism.
Bohemian design style is a feast for the eyes. The mixing of patterns and various combinations of textures rolled together into one space.
Industrial
Rugged and durable.
Industrial design style began in factories and warehouses long before it became a popular Contemporary design theme. Factory workers would use materials from inside the warehouse to create personal items for themselves, some of which were for their households.
Characterized by rough and raw materials such as galvanized steel, aluminum, sheet metal, tubular steel and refurbished wood, many Industrial furniture designs have an utilitarian and rugged appearance.
Choose furniture in dark colors such as shades of black and grays with distressed finishes, burnished metals, dark toned woods and exposed materials.
Upcycled and salvaged materials turned into furniture and decor is the environmentally friendly side of Industrial design.
Some furniture designs even appear mechanical with iron struts and exposed hardware. Leather is a common upholstery in Industrial style. However, many pieces are rarely upholstered and are made of non-perishable, fireproof and durable materials. Avoid plush fabrics. Add metal accents such as bronze sculptures.
Pillows and throws made of wool and rattan in bright colors such as yellow and turquoise are common comfortable Industrial accents. The pops of bright color will lighten and brighten the space with its naturally dark color palette.
Concrete is becoming an increasingly popular material used in Industrial designs. Don’t be afraid to mix this bold material into your space.
You will find Industrial design in many warehouses, venues, restaurants, bars and lofts. It is not uncommon to use this style for an office space, city loft or dining room, kitchen and bar area.
Famous Industrial furniture examples include the Xavier Pauchard Tolix Chair, the Poul Kjaerholm PK22 chair and the Nicolle Stool.
Urban Modern
The softer side of Industrial.
Urban Modern design style is a blend of modern and industrial that is further defined by warm tones and soft furnishings. Elements of Industrial design such as iron and steel accents to bold and geometric shapes are common.
Tips:
1. Use calming tones and neutral colors with a few bright accent pieces and a large statement piece.
2. Add throws, pillows and rugs in natural colored tones such as browns, creams and grays.
3. Use features of contrasting scale by pairing large furniture with petite items.
4. Round stools and side chairs in dark blue or olive green add hints of color throughout the space.
5. Intriguing lighting and botanical accents add additional Modern flair.
Keep it cosmopolitan and cozy at the same time.
Famous furniture examples that work well with this style include the Holophane Prismatic Glass Lamp by Antoine Blondel, the Womb Chair by Eero Saarinen and Emeco's 1006 Navy Chair, originally built for Navy warships during World War II.
Hollywood Regency
Luxurious and glamorous.
Photo by Photographee.eu courtesy of shutterstock.com
Hollywood Regency design style is unmistakable. Meaning, you know it when you see it. This speaks volumes about the nature of the style itself.
Characterized by lacquered, chrome, mirrored finishes, brass and gold metallic accents and jeweled light fixtures, Hollywood Regency style is unforgettable and truly makes a room sparkle!
Choose comfortable accents and furnishings such as fluffy shag rugs, fur upholstered seats, and velvet or velour upholstered sofas. Chaise lounges termed “fainting couches” and animal print upholstery and rugs find their place in Hollywood Regency style.
Photo by By robinimages2013 courtesty of shutterstock.com
Hollywood Regency expresses the finer things in life. This style became popular in the 1930s shown in classic films starring famed starlets.
It is naturally feminine and adds a touch of glitz and glamour to your space.
Famous Hollywood Regency furniture examples include the Brass Slipper Chair by Billy Haines and the Espana Chest by Dorothy Draper.
Art Deco
Bold and distinct.
Art Deco design style shares similarities to Hollywood Regency, although Art Deco made its debut in the 1920s. Art Deco goes hand-in-hand with the cubism and futurism movement. Many of these terms coincide with paintings and artwork of the era by painters such as Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque and Lyonel Feininger. Thus, it it no surprise that the word “art” is in this design styles name.
Photo By Alex Gorins courtesy of shutterstock.com
It is opulent, elegant, sleek and sculptural. Choose furniture with curved armrests, rounded backrests, clam shell and scalloped designs. It features bold furniture with distinct lines, triangular shapes, staggering outlines and chunks of color methodically arranged into one concise and fluid structure.
Photo By alexandre zveiger courtesy of shutterstock.com
Marked by chrome and gold metallic accents, geometric shapes, jewel-toned fabrics and gallant sculptures, Art Deco is rich and comforting. Some Art Deco designers used glass in their designs by utilizing the seamless and natural elegance of glass to create remarkable pieces.
Famous furniture examples of Art Deco style include the Sling Chair by Le Corbusier and the Fontana Glass Table by Pietro Chiesa.
Abstract
Eye-catching and unusual.
Abstract design style is associated with many of the notable Mid-Century Modern furniture and decor designs from the era. It has both a quirky and funky style that pushes boundaries like many of the pieces from the 1960s and 1970s.
Characterized by unusual shapes, bright colors and interesting attributes, many of the furnishings are functional works of art and were groundbreaking at the time of their creation. They ignite the imagination and some pieces can even be challenging to figure out what they are at first glance.
For example, the iconic Bubble Chair designed by Eero Aarnio was a spherical chair, sliced on one side, made from acrylic and suspended from the ceiling by a chain. The chair seemingly “floats in space.”
Designer George Nelson made similar abstract furniture designs. Famous furniture examples include the Coconut Chair and the Marshmallow Sofa. The Coconut Chair resembles a large and triangular slice of a coconut. The Marshmallow Sofa is made of soft and round individual cushions evenly separated on one frame forming a unique and playful design.
Other famous abstract furniture examples include La Chaise by Charles & Ray Eames and the Torso Chair by Paolo Deganello.
Abstract design style takes on many shapes and forms cohesively combined into one space. Blend curved and straight lines. Combine varying shapes and forms.
Each piece makes a statement and stands out individually in a room. Abstract design style is admired by furniture lovers and art enthusiasts alike.
Eclectic
Diverse and unified.
Eclectic design style uses a combination of rough and smooth textures with a unifying color throughout the entirety of the design. It involves incorporating many different styles but it does not lack focus.
Eclectic style can have diverse furniture in a wide variety of styles and from different time periods but the look pulls itself together by staying organized. The look is cohesive and harmonious.
Typically, 3 or 4 different styles and textures are chosen then organized in a layered and collected appearance. It appears curated, not crowded. Balance in scale and symmetry is still present. Consistently go back to color as the equalizer to avoid randomness.
You will find homely charm with diverse and memorable items in Eclectic design style.
Minimalist
Spacious and serene.
Minimalist design style is characterized by selection and space. A few methodically placed accents as focal points with modular furniture seamlessly blending in with the environment. You want to get things open and airy.
You can take several different routes when choosing furniture with this style. Simplistic Japanese-inspired and Scandinavian-inspired furniture are excellent choices.
The furnishings are simple to the eye but provide the same comfort as a furnishing with more embellishments. They are not ornate or adorned with obvious details.They increase space and reduce clutter by serving multi-functional purposes where they can be used interchangeably.
Steer away from overtly bulky furnishings with many drawers, thick bases or extreme amounts of flair. Avoid clutter by ditching the abundance of accent pieces.
Famous Minimalist furniture examples include the Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi and the Norman Cherner Dining Chairs.
Bauhaus
Cut-out and colorful.
The famous painting Composition II in Red, Blue, and Yellow by Piet Mondrian comes to mind. Bauhaus design style is characterized by sharp edges, clean lines, bold shapes and structured in zig-zag and cutout patterns.
Bauhaus was originally an art and design school in Germany from 1919 until 1933 founded by German architect Walter Bauhaus. Bauhaus style originated from the design school and it gained popularity through publicity and teaching its design.
Bauhaus maximizes space for a more minimal appearance by factoring in the “white” space surrounding the furnishing along with the design of the furnishing itself.
Basic shapes such as square, circle, rectangle and triangle are used in the designs. They are pieced together like building blocks to create functional works of art.
Choose primary colors, red, blue and yellow, in combination with black and white. Avoid clutter and stay mindful of space and shape.
Famous Bauhaus furniture examples include the Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer, the Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and the Gropius Armchair by Walter Gropius.
Coastal
Laid-back and clean.
Picture a sunny afternoon with a gentle breeze blowing and the sea right outside of your backdoor. Coastal design style is characterized by a mixture of cheerful and calming colors. It is a bright and cozy style.
Only use neutral colors such as cream, tan, ivory and bright white combined with lemon yellow, light green, robin’s egg blue or navy blue accents. Typically, one neutral color is used as the base color and another hue is used as an accent for all furniture in the room.
Choose furniture made of wicker and painted wood. Rattan and fabric upholstered lounge chairs and sofas with plush and soft padding on seating are staples of Coastal design style.
Embrace dining tables, end tables and coffee tables that have rectangular and square tops with straight-legged bases or cross base designs.
Steer away from mixing too many patterns, textures and colors. Keep it consistent, symmetrical and airy.
Traditional
Detailed and ornate.
Characterized by ornate designs, embellishments, carved wood, floral and fauna patterns, Traditional design style is anything but mundane.
Traditional style came about in the 1800s and early 1900s, certainly Pre-World War II.
Furnishings blend a medley of fabrics and patterns into one solid design. The backrests and headboards are often wavy, heart-shaped and curvaceous. Select fine fabrics such as chenille, suede and leather with diamond button tufting and spiral armrests. Choose marble tops with wooden legs carved with elegant and intricate designs.
The furniture is often heavy and bulky. Grandiose chandeliers hang from the ceiling and eye-catching centerpieces are showcased within a space. These furnishings require high ceilings and plenty of room to not appear overbearing. Steer away from too much black and white. Avoid geometric shapes and designs.
Symmetry and balance in placement is key to mastering this style.
Sensual silhouettes, precise placement, alluring accents and uncompromising quality, Traditional design style is rich, warm and cozy.
Transitional
Best of both worlds.
Transitional design style moves away from solely Traditional to a more Contemporary style. It encompasses a mixture of both. Transitional flutters on the edge without being blatantly one style or the other. It keeps some characteristics of Traditional furniture while combining others such as Minimalist or Scandinavian.
A good example of Transitional furniture is a three-seat sofa with diamond button tufting, upholstered in chenille fabric with a straight backrest and rectangular armrests. Transitional furniture design may keep the fabric and accents of one style with the framework of another style. In this case, it is the fabric and accents of Traditional style with the framework of Contemporary style.
Both styles are blended into one furnishing.The same way both styles are blended into one space. Keep in mind comfort and practicality.
One way to achieve this look is choosing contemporary seating that complements traditional tables. You can also reverse this.
There is freedom to mix and play with Traditional and Contemporary style. It is a balance of masculine and feminine brought together by classic lines adjoined with colors, furniture and accents showcasing a modern flair.
Vintage and Retro
Oldies but goodies.
Vintage style can encompass any style from a former time period with specific and unmistakable details from that era.
Most vintage furnishings were made before the 1980s. However, many items are made to “look” vintage. They are classic designs that were popular during another time period.
You can achieve this design style by combining multiple look-alikes with actual vintage items. For example, if you wanted to design your kitchen to mimic a classic diner from the 1950s, you may include a checkerboard tiled floor, a white square table with metallic trim and base. Combine the table with complementary leather upholstered chairs with metallic legs. Place a vintage sunburst clock by designer George Nelson on the wall with matching pastel colored plastic dishware and porcelain mugs set on the table.
Even pink, salmon or pastel colored painted walls and cabinets with crystal chandelier lighting will bring a vintage and retro appeal to your space. Other vintage colors include cherry red, seafoam green, mint green and lemon yellow.
Medium tone wood paneling was a popular favorite from the 1940s to the 1970s. If you want to steer away from wood, patterned wallpaper inspires a vintage feel. If you have many vintage pieces, keep the color palette dark and moody, choose deep blue or muted gray. This will allow your vintage items to stand out.
Tie your room together by keeping all of the items scale balanced. Be selective.
Vintage and retro interior design looks as though you stepped into another time period, whichever period from the past that may be.
Modern and Contemporary
Potato or Pota-toe?
There is an interesting debate on what defines Modern design style vs. Contemporary design style. Some believe it can be used interchangeably, while others believe there are significant differences between the two styles. As strange as it may sound, the answer is, they are both the same and they are different.
For some, Modern style is centered around the time when the term Mid-Century Modern was coined, in the 1940s. The term solidified itself in the 1950s and 1960s. For others, Modern means that which is admired or invented in the world we live in today. Contemporary means the present day. That which is relevant and popular by today’s standards.
Much of what is loved today is borrowed from the past. The easiest way to understand what Modern and Contemporary design is, is understanding what it is not. Most certainly, Modern and Contemporary interior design are the opposite of Traditional interior design. However, one day our homes and businesses may be filled with Traditional furniture and home decor, requiring us to reexamine that which is Modern and Contemporary design.
To give you a better understanding, there are a few similarities and differences between the two styles. Modern design keeps an organic color palette using wood and earth tones. Whereas Contemporary design incorporates more materials such as concrete, porcelain, glass and steel with a dark color palette using metal and bold colors. Typically, Modern design incorporates more curves and biomorphic shapes. Contemporary, on the other hand, incorporates more rigid and straight lines. Both Contemporary and Modern utilize space in a significant way. They both point to space being just as crucial to the interior design as the objects within a space. The cohesiveness and fluidity of space from one room to the next is factored into the design by choosing a common element between each room.
To keep it simple, Modern design is from another era. Specifically, anytime after the early 1900s and before the 1980s. Contemporary focuses on the present and the future.
Start Designing!
Now that you have a better idea of the different styles for interior design, take a look at your current space and see which style it fits into. Don’t be afraid to mix styles. Some furniture and decor may work better than others. Be sure to look at what you have or browse different furniture and decor to choose a style that matches your interest. If there is one piece you adore or one that you absolutely cannot part with, then be sure to base your interior design around that particular furnishing or accent. It is a good place to start transforming your home into the incredible pad you’ve always dreamed of!