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Attempting to decorate your own home can leave you frustrated and overwhelmed. There are so many different interior design styles how do you know which one works for you.
For years I went on this journey going from one style to the next wasting tons of money as I experimented with each looking for my style. But you need not go down that expensive path.
In this post, I’m going to explain what makes up the top 9 Interior Design Styles. Then you will know what you are looking at and reading about on Pinterest.
I also added a quiz at the end so that when you finish this post you can find out which one you are!
So let’s do this!
Top 9 Interior Design Styles
So this week I researched and put together an easy to read outline of the top 9 interior design styles as listed by Pinterest.
Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration for any project that you are working on and it never lets me down.
So many talented people sharing their ideas and projects just so people like you and I can DIY our way into a beautiful home.
So here is the list in no certain order.
The exciting thing about all these styles is you get to make it your own!
Combine a few styles together to get a look that’s completely you.
So let’s dive in and find out just what each of these styles is all about!
And hey if you want to skip around just click above on the one you are interested in the most and you can jump to that section.
Have fun and congrats on starting this new adventure!
1. Traditional Interior Design Style Explained
Elements of Traditional Style:
- Often referred to as timeless and classic
- Uses antique or reproduction furniture
- Has a more luxurious look
- mixing textures of wallpaper and heavy drapes with trim
- colors are rich and warm – reds, golds,
- Rugs are patterned with rich colors
- Celebrates the past
- use of symmetry
- elegant and comfortable
- A mix of patterns – Plaid, stripes, toile, etc.
- Looks as if it has evolved over time.
- Furniture is ornamental with lots of leather.
- Accessories are ornate and placed in vignettes
Add Traditional style to your home
If you love a historic look that has been handed down through your family, then traditional could be your interior design style.
If this description makes you smile and think of what you would like your home to look like add a few of the items below to help give your home a traditional look.
Traditional Rugs
Oriental rugs often lead the charge when looking for the rug that fits the classic elegance of stately traditional furniture. Looking for more in-depth information on area rugs? Check out my Ultimate Area Rug Shopping Guide.
Traditional Lamps
Traditional lamps are very ornamental and often have silk shades to give a look of opulence. Use lamps in your room instead of overhead light to give your rooms a warm cozy feel.
Traditional Fabric
Classic design and elegance with rich colors are the hallmarks of traditional fabric. The great thing about it is you don’t have to pick! Mixing fabrics are a must so go with plaids, stripes, toiles, or paisleys. You decide! Just stay within the same color palette.
Traditional Artwork
Traditional style exudes elegance and luxury so when it comes to art you are looking for things with an ornate design. Gold frames with reproduction art or antiques that have been handed down through the generations and you are right in line with this style.
2. Rustic Interior Design Style Explained
Elements of Rustic Style
- wood beams
- wood paneled walls
- reclaimed wood
- repurposed antiques
- stone
- fireplaces
- built-ins
- hand-made furniture
- Rugged natural beauty
- nature-inspired textures and materials
- simple earthy colors – orange, dark green, gold and brown
- organic, warm and charming
Add Rustic Style to Your Home
One of the cool things about rustic style is that you can add a bit of it to almost any other interior design style and it will look great!
Rustic style adds warmth and gives your home a natural feel. If you love natural materials.
Rustic style could be a great fit for you!
Rustic Rugs
With many people using rustic style to decorate their homes today, there are tons of products out there to choose from. Rugs made of sisal, jute or wool look great paired with rustic cabin furniture. I love the Navajo designs paired with leather sofas and rustic handmade wooden pieces.
Rustic Lamps
Rustic style lamps will be made of natural materials such as hammered metals, wood, even antlers like the ones in the picture above. Most people think of lodge decor when the think of Rustic decor.
Rustic Fabrics
Rustic fabrics should look and feel like they have been roughened up by the elements. Jute and animal hides or Navajo fabrics have that natural feel you need for rustic style.
Rustic Style Artwork
Again when you are looking for artwork to go in your rustic style home go with nature scenes. Trees, bears, deer, horses, and the mountains. Any combination of nature will work.
3. Mid-Century Interior Design Style Explained
Elements of Mid-Century Style
- uncluttered clean lines
- gentle organic curves
- timeless quality
- classic understated looks
- a mixture of wood, metal, glass, vinyl, plywood, and lucite materials are used
- wide range of colors
- Geometric forms
- minimal ornamentation
- functional
Add Mid-Century Style to your home
After trying almost every style out there, I’ve incorporated Mid-Century modern into my current home.
I absolutely love the clean lines this furniture has.
Remember you don’t have to do these interior design styles all or nothing.
You can mix in a little bit of a couple of them to get the style that is completely you.
That does take time to master but that’s what I’m here for!
If you too love clean lines Mid-Century might be for you.
Mid-Century Rugs
When looking for a Mid-Century inspired rug look for geometric shapes in colors such as teal, orange, browns, or grey. There will often be lots of texture mixed with color to give it interest. A great Mid-Century rug can often be the statement focal piece of your room.
Mid-Century Lamps
Sleek metals and warm woods are often blended together to design a mid-century style lamp. Look for fun geometric shapes which are a signature of Mid-Century.
Mid-Century Fabrics
When using Mid-Century fabric you can go with a sleek tweed style fabric or have fun with geometric shapes and space-inspired designs or mix the two together. The color palette is often a mix of orange, teal, browns, mustard, and grey.
Mid-Century Artwork
Mid-Century art is just as distinctive as the furniture, and like the furniture, the use of wood, metal, glass, and plastics is used in mid-Century art. You will also find the clean, sleek lines and sometimes kitschy art like long neck cats. There is a broad spectrum of art to choose from, so have fun with it.
4. Bohemian Interior Design Style Explained
Elements of Bohemian Style
- Relaxed
- Unusual
- Artsy
- Warm earthy colors and jewel tones
- a mix of patterns from around the world
- mix and match second hand furniture
- everything should be slightly worn
- Globally inspired
- One of kind unique pieces
- cozy
Add Bohemian Style to your home
Bohemian Style can be so fun to put together.
Blending pieces that you’ve collected from all over the world that tell a story makes your home unique.
I also love a touch of the Bohemian style in my home.
You will see wicker light fixtures and tribal-inspired artwork and rugs throughout my home.
It’s so fun to mix it up.
Bohemian Rugs
Actually about any rug will work for Bohemian style since it is such a mix of styles but when I think of boho I think of tribal designs or a beautiful bright colored oriental rug that makes the room bright and gives it a fun focal point.
Bohemian Lamps
Again we are looking for things that have a global influence like wicker, macrame, and beads. Mix in some wood and you have a bohemian lamp or light fixture.
Bohemian Fabrics
World influenced fabrics with mandalas in purples, oranges, and blues. Don’t worry about mixing fabrics the more the merrier. Try layering different fabrics and textures with curtains, duvet covers, throws, and tapestries on the walls to create a very eclectic look.
Bohemian Artwork
Finding furniture and art for your bohemian room is like going on a treasure hunt. Try out second-hand furniture stores to find one of a kind treasures. Here I’m showing a global-inspired basket on the wall but if you love macrame or weaving of any kind they will look great in this room. Also don’t forget plants – my favorite kind of art.
5. Coastal Interior Design Style Explained
Elements of Coastal Style
- think seaside retreat
- Light and airy
- neutrals with spots of color
- lots of texture to add interest
- vibrate colors like coral, yellow, and turquoise
- add plants like snake plant, palms, and succulents
- play with patterns
- Open layout
- let the landscape guide you
Add Coastal Style to your home
Who doesn’t love the beach or a beach themed house?
We bought a beach condo with our business partners a few years ago and had a blast remodeling and decorating it.
The key to this interior design style is to not go overboard with themes like fish and anchors.
Taking cues from nature use colors from the sea, sand, and sky.
Coral from a beautiful sunset and tan from the sand.
Bright turquoise from the sea.
These colors set the mood for a relaxing vacation vibe.
You can add in a few turtles or anchors just don’t go crazy!
Coastal Rugs
When you are at the beach, you will be dealing with sand, so opt for carpet free rooms and use natural fiber rugs such as sisal to cover high traffic areas.
Coastal Lamps
Stick with neutral-colored lampshades and have fun with the base. Seashells and fishermans rope like the lamp above lends a fun atmosphere and interest.
Mid-Century Fabrics
Lots of bright colors and patterns are the name of the game here. They look great against your neutral either background. Try to stick with a color palette here and not get carried away with too many cliche pieces like fish and shells everywhere.
Mid-Century Artwork
Carrying on with the theme you have with fabric etc. go with abstract minimal beach-themed art. That way you don’t go too far with outdated motifs like fish and shells.
6. Industrial Interior Design Style Explained
Elements of Industrial Style
- perfect blend of old and new
- blend of vintage and modern styles
- sleek
- any room can have a dose of industrial style
- metal accents
- incorporate wood and stone
- make sure the wood is distressed
- open concept layout
Add Industrial Style to your home
Industrial Style can have a very masculine look so I suggest using touches of it in a farmhouse or rustic style home.
But if you have an awesome loft with brick walls and high ceilings this could be the perfect style for you!
I like adding a piece of metal in my home which I consider Modern Farmhouse but you can add it to other styles as well.
Industrial Rugs
Finding a vintage rug in dark moody colors or mixing an oriental rug in dark colors with all the metal and wood makes for a very masculine look. Great in a big city loft!
Industrial Lamps
DIY your own lamps made of metal and wood or Take pieces of factory machinery repurposed into a lamp works great in this style. Also, use Edison bulbs in these lamps for added interest!
Industrial Fabrics
Leather plays a big part in industrial style. Its warm weathered texture is great against all the metal. Also, add in deep moody blues and greys for a totally masquline feel.
Industrial Artwork
Using unique pieces of machinery for artwork against the backdrop of exposed bricks or shelving made of plumbing pipes and wooden shelves are great for industrial art.
7. Farmhouse Interior Design Style Explained
Elements of Farmhouse Style
- warm, cozy and full of charm
- mix old and new to keep from looking to kitschy
- use of wood for walls
- exposed beams
- Mix in wicker and rattan furniture
- Use slipcovers on upholstered furniture
- chalk paint a piece of vintage furniture to give it a weathered finish
- apron front sinks
- stay away from too many farm animal and sunflower motifs to keep kitchen looking authentic.
Add Farmhouse Style to your home
Farmhouse style has become huge with the fame of Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines.
Use a clean white background and filling it with nostalgic pieces and some black and white fabrics and farmhouse art and you’ve got the start of a farmhouse-style home.
And don’t think you need to be on a farm to pull this one-off.
This interior design style is super popular in the city as well.
Farmhouse Rugs
Really about any rug will go in a farmhouse style room. But I’m showing a buffalo check one here as it is widely known as a farmhouse pattern. Feel free to use oriental or another print.
Farmhouse Lamps
In farmhouse decor, we are going for a rustic mixture so make sure to mix metals like the above black metal lamp with a burlap lamp shade. Or DIY your own lamp by taking a rustic container and making it into a cool lamp.
Farmhouse Fabrics
One of my favorite farmhouse fabric combinations is buffalo check and ticking stripe. But you can mix a grain sack pillow with a plaid throw. It really goes back to what would have been used on a farm whether its an American farm or a french country one.
Farmhouse Artwork
Probably the most used farmhouse wall art would be weathered signs and graphics that look like they’ve come out of a country store. Mix these with country-inspired landscapes and botanicals to get a great looking accent wall.
Elements of Scandinavian Style
- minimal yet cozy and simplistic
- Use contrast like black furniture in a mostly white room
- a mixture of textures and soft hues
- clean lines that are simple and functional on the furniture
- tons of natural light fills the rooms
- add in mod furniture
- Black and white photography
- use of warm wood tones – sepias
- muted colors of taupe, ivory and sage
- mixed textures
Add Scandinavian Style to your home
Scandinavian style is bright, fresh, and clean.
Use lots of white and warm woods mixing in some pops of bright colors and mid-century furniture and it’s as simple as that.
Make sure to keep your decor items minimal and add plants to finish off your rooms.
Scandinavian Rugs
Since you are going for a cozy atmosphere. Opt for a high pile rug in a muted tone like taupe or ivory. You can use your furniture and pillows to bring in pops of color to your room
Scandinavian Lamps
You want to make sure you are using simple decor accents so choose a lamp that has clean lines and choose a warm wood that will create a cozy ambient space.
Scandinavian Fabrics
Scandinavian countries are usually cold and so it’s important to create cozy warm spaces. Using cozy materials such as pillows and throws will help you create this snuggly place you won’t want to leave.
Scandinavian Artwork
Since the Scandinavian design is very clean, simple and minimalistic, landscape art and black and white photography are widely used.
9. Modern Interior Design Style Explained
Elements of Modern StylSimple and no fuss
- neutral backdrop mixed with bold earthy colors for furniture and art
- patternless fabrics
- use of wood and earth-friendly elements like stone and leather
- furniture has straight lines
- open concept spaces
- no ornate elements
- exposed legs on furniture
- the decor is kept minimal
Add Modern Style to your home
For years I didn’t appreciate the design of a modern style room but since falling in love with more clean lines and minimal aesthetics I’ve come to really enjoy it.
Keep your decor simple and use plenty of earth tone colors combined with a neutral backdrop and you are well on your way to a beautiful Modern interior design style room!
Modern Rugs
Modern rugs are simple and are often in neutral or earthy colors like gray, turquoise, brown, rust, and greens. They are usually solid or very little pattern and get their interest from the texture they lend to the room.
Modern Lamps
There are very little decor items added to a Modern room Therefore the lamps and art are center stage. The use of bold color and sleek designs help give interest to an otherwise neutral backdrop.
Modern Fabrics
Instead of pattern, modern fabrics use texture to give depth and interest to a room. Bold colors on the lamps and art help liven up the rooms.
Modern Artwork
Art is usually the main focal point in a modern room. The use of bold colors and shapes make this art eye-catching.
So My Friend, which style or styles make your heart happy?
Congratulation on completing the first step of your journey!
Remember having a home that is well organized and well designed will make your home healthier and less stressful. To read more about that check out my post here.
Now that you have a full understanding of all the interior design styles out there your next step is to find out which style or mix of styles will work for you!
I’ve added a quiz to help guide you on this path so dive right in and I’ll be ready to help you with your next steps on the other side.
Have fun!
