Your home is your personal canvas for self-expression, reflecting your own story and style. But where to begin?
In this easy guide you'll learn the four super categories of interior design home decorating styles, what identifies them and where you fit in.
Armed with tips and design ideas, we'll have fun finding your personal decorating thumbprint!
The Easy 4: Home Decorating Styles
First, we need to establish the timeline of Interior Design.
Obviously, we were decorating our caves with art back in the day.
Interior Design, however, as an established reference, began in the 1870’s.
Back then our style was mostly Traditional; we wanted to emulate the Royal Family digs, and carry the traditions we knew so well to our new homes, and new countries. More on this!
So the first up in our easy guide to interior design home decorating styles is:
Traditional Style: Timeless Elegance
Traditional style exudes timeless elegance with classic design elements like rich woods, intricate detailing, and warm color palettes.
Symmetry creates balance, and substantial furniture with luxurious fabrics like silk and velvet adds opulence. Perfect for those who appreciate formal comfort in living spaces.
Some Subcategories
English Country
Embrace English cottages’ cozy, charming aesthetic: think floral patterns, warm colors, and antique furnishings.
French Provincial
Experience the elegance of the French countryside with ornate details, pastel hues, and a mix of rustic and refined elements.
Victorian
Create opulence with intricate detailing, dark woods, layers of textiles, and striking patterns.
Colonial
Appreciate this early American design: weave together craftsmanship, an earthy color palette, practical furnishings
Eclectic Style: Personal Expression at its Best
By the 1920s and 30’s things started changing. Moving pictures inspired a more artistic thumbprint. We came to Art Deco. Hollywood Regency. This is the original glam. This is actually under the umbrella of Eclectic Design in interior design home decorating.
It’s a mix-and-match approach that draws inspiration from various styles, eras, and cultures.
This style encourages you to showcase your unique personality. It’s about breaking free from conventional design norms and letting your creativity run wild.
If you’re someone who loves to curate a space that feels uniquely “you,” then the Eclectic style is the perfect match.
Some subcategories:
Bohemian
Create a free-spirited, artistic expression with a mix of colors, patterns, and textures from different cultures and eras.
Art Deco
Embrace bold geometric patterns, luxe materials, and a sense of glamour inspired by the Roaring Twenties.
Global Fusion
Combine handmade elements and artisanal pieces from different world cultures for a rich, diverse aesthetic.
Vintage Revival
Celebrate nostalgia with a mix of retro furnishings, unique finds, and special thrifted treasures from days past.
Want more? Dive into Eclectic Decor
Modern/Contemporary: Interior Design, Streamlined
In the 1950’s as our population grew (ok boomer) our interior design home decorating style took their own paths with many trailblazers. But one design road many embraced at this time was Modern. We were done with gold inlay and fancy aesthetics. We wanted clean, purposeful, natural.
Modern design, also referred to as Contemporary is a less-is-more aesthetic that makes use of natural materials like wood, glass, metal, and concrete.
Functionality, uncluttered spaces, and subdued color schemes are the main focuses.
Furniture is streamlined and sleek. The Modern/Contemporary style may be your best option if you are drawn to a more purposeful, clutter-free style, with natural materials and a unadorned appearance.
Some Subcategories
Mid-Century Modern
Inspired by the 1950s and 1960s, embrace simple lines, organic shapes, and a combination of natural and man-made materials.
2. Industrial
For a clean, urban aesthetic, incorporate unfinished, raw materials like exposed steel, concrete, and brick.
3. Scandinavian
Use light, neutral colors and natural materials to achieve simplicity, functionality, and a sense of connection to nature.
4. Minimalist
Focus on simple shapes, spacious layouts, and a “less is more” philosophy regarding furniture and decor.
Can’t get enough? There’s more: Discover Modern Decor Styles
Transitional Style: A Blend of Design’s Best
We like a little something about each style, and blend our favorites in a balanced cohesive way; that's Transistional. I think a lot of us fall in this category, and it brings us up to date in our timeline.
We explore different interior design home decorating styles we gravitate towards, gather and arrange them, regardless of timelines or design rules. We are in a very creative, fun era of Interior Design!
The goal is to create a warm atmosphere that is at once traditional and modern with little pops of interest. If you appreciate a versatile and balanced approach to decorating, the Transitional style might be the one for you.
Some Transitional Subcategories:
1.Coastal Transitional
Combine relaxed, coastal aesthetics with classic elements for a light, airy, and timeless atmosphere.
2. Rustic Transitional
Blend warm, natural materials with clean, refined lines for a comfortable yet sophisticated look.
3.Contemporary Classic
Marry contemporary design with classic elements, creating a timeless yet up-to-date style.
We can niche interior design home decorating down to super subcategories, but going back to the beginning is a good place to start in order to identify your path and style.
If you want to have fun with styles and “try things out” without the expense or a mess in your house, try a realistic design home app/game: They are free to download, so play around! Pick one HERE!
Your home is a reflection of how you want to feel.
Decorating in your particular style is the biggest step towards making it truly yours. Remember that there are no strict rules in decorating—the goal is to create a space that brings you joy. To discover more about your style, try this style quiz: https://www.arieandco.com/find-style-quiz/
Regardless of your design style, stick to a color palette for to flow and cohesion
Check out our free design style color palettes for reference!
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