Do You Know Your Interior Design Style? (2024)

From modernism to maximalism (and everything in between).

By Hadley Keller and Angela Belt
Do You Know Your Interior Design Style? (1)

Interior design is all about the lingo. You get immersed in it anytime you shop for a new sofa, research window treatments, consider a renovation, or even buy a throw pillow. Interior design styles are the ABCs of your design vocabulary, the building blocks you need to master to think and speak confidently about everything design related. You can't really talk design trends unless you understand the classic styles they're riffing on. So whether you’re new to interior design or have been decorating and DIYing for years, it's smart to revisit the fundamentals.

Different interior design styles help us describe spaces that have a certain cohesive look or approach. Design styles can evolve during a specific time period or from an affinity for the same textures, colors, and finishes. For example, you might know the pared-down, angular midcentury modern design style as a product of the postwar period or recognize bold colors and patterns as features of a maximalist design style.

Understanding interior design styles helps you discover what you like and develop spaces that express your personality. If you begin to understand you like a traditional design style, for instance, you can use that knowledge to help you choose everything from paint colors to furniture and, yes, throw pillows.

And more important, once you sharpen your knowledge of interior design styles, you can have fun with it. In the words of award-winning interior designer Nate Berkus, “The best design projects were the ones where people broke all the rules.” Because after all, the most impactful design style is your own.

1

Midcentury Modern

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Though it has recently become a catchall term for anything 20th-century, midcentury modernism refers to modern design from the middle of the 20th century (generally the mid-1940s to early 1970s). Though Frank Lloyd Wright created his own signature style of organic modernism, several classic midcentury modern details are apparent in this restored prefab house of his design: warm wood paneling, brown bathroom tiles, and chrome plumbing. Japanese influence—as seen by the folding screen atop the bed—was also prominent in American midcentury modernism.

2

Traditional

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Designer Corey Damen Jenkins has a knack for making traditional style look fresh (he even wrote a book titled Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms). In this dining room, paneled mahogany walls are lit by 19th-century sconces, and an antique table is surrounded by Louis XVI chairs.

3

Neo-Industrial

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Not to be confused with Industrial Design, which refers to work made for industrial purposes, Neo-Industrial, or Industrial-style interior design borrows elements of industrial architecture—like the concrete walls, steel details, and spartan windows in this home by Kathleen McCormick—for use in residential interiors.

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4

Transitional

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Spaces that bridge the gap between modern and traditional—like this kitchen by Toledo Geller—are dubbed transitional. Here, the designers pair classic elements like herringbone floors and Shaker-style cabinets with modern lines on the hood and a fresh, white take on the iconic Thonet chair.

5

Maximalist

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Mixed prints, bright colors, high-contrast, and lots of personality? This Tudor revival by Kati Curtis is a maximalist's dream.

6

Modern Maximalist

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Studio B's Betsy Wentz, meanwhile, proves there's also a modern way to do maximalism. In her own Pennsylvania home, the designer incorporated bold color and patterned textiles with the clean lines and horizontal silhouettes associated with modernism.

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7

Farmhouse

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With an eye toward functional simplicity and elements of Shaker and Colonial design, farmhouse style "suggests a more humble, vernacular interpretation of American historical styles from the 18th and 19th centuries, whether they be Colonial, Greek Revival, or Victorian," explains architect Gil Schafer, who designed this kitchen.

8

Minimalist

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Since minimalism often means doing more with less, you'll often notice the importance of light and contrast in minimalist spaces, like this one by Robson Rak.

9

Organic Minimalist

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For a home on the water in Jamaica, Ishka Designs substituted more graphic contrast for organic elements like wood grain to complement the location without outshining the view. The result is a combination of organic modern and organic minimalism.

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10

Eclectic

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A close relative of maximalism, eclectic design features elements of various styles, periods, and places brought together for a unique space. In Ariene Bethea's Charlotte home, for example, African textiles, Asian and American art, and contemporary furniture blend for a personal oasis.

11

1970s Revival

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For her decoration of Emily Schuman's Los Angeles home, designer Katie Hodges looked to stylistic influences from the 1970s, updating them with a minimal backdrop for a fresh take. Essential elements include the brown color scheme, oversized bouclé armchair, and Caprani floor lamp, a 1970s design by Mads Caprani that's gained newfound popularity in the Instagram era.

12

English Country Style

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Ever since Nancy Lancaster took the reins at Colefax & Fowler, Americans have been obsessed with the English country house look. The style combines several elements of traditional British country houses, like floral wallpaper, rough-hewn wood, copper pots, and brick floors, and updates them for modern use, as Shavonda Gardner did in her kitchen here.

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13

Art Deco

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With roots tracing back to 1920s Europe, Art Deco prioritizes geometric forms and intricate decoration paired with luxe materials like lacquer, mirrored glass, and marble. Modern interpretations, like this hall by Nick Olsen, reinterpret those motifs in contemporary colors.

14

Rustic

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With rough-hewn wood siding, exposed beams, textural fabrics, and minimal decoration, this Montana home by Kylee Shintaffer is a case study in rustic design.

15

Modern Farmhouse

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Modern Farmhouse style interprets its traditional cousin but simplifies shapes and often incorporates midcentury and industrial elements, like in this kitchen by Alyssa Rosenheck. A more minimal color palette is also common.

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16

Shabby Chic

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It's all about unpretentious coziness and lots of texture when it comes to Shabby Chic style. Here, Leanne Ford blends rustic and organic elements with imperfections (wrinkled linens and chipped paint) that make the space more inviting.

17

Contemporary

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With sleek, often minimal elements, bespoke furniture, and high-tech details, Contemporary interiors (like this bedroom by Catherine Kwong) are more streamlined than modernist ones and more textural than minimal ones.

18

Regency

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Tall-backed chairs, crystal chandeliers, and ornate gilded mirrors in this dining room by Sasha Bikoff are all callbacks to the Regency style.

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19

Coastal

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Inspired by sandy beaches and blue waves, Coastal style incorporates bright colors, organic (often whitewashed) textures, and summery materials like wicker and rattan, as seen in this beach home by Jess Weeth.

20

Grandmillennial

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First coined by House Beautiful in 2019, Grandmillennial is a term used to describe a young design lover passionate about revisiting old-school classics, like chintz, trellis, wicker, chinoiserie, allover pattern, and trellis, all seen in this room by Amy Berry.

Do You Know Your Interior Design Style? (2024)

FAQs

How to find your own interior design style? ›

Finding your design style can be as simple as slowly building out your space with items you've invested in and collected through the years. Don't set out to decorate your space in a day; let it evolve and come to life over time. As we grow, our design style can and should evolve.

How do I know interior design is for me? ›

The necessity to be Artistic and Creative

Anyone who wants to pursue a career in Interior design will typically have an innate sense of style and the ability to create beautiful designs. They need the imagination to select furnishings and fabrics, and design interior spaces that fit their clients' needs and lifestyles.

What is the interior design style? ›

A modern interior design style is defined by clean and simple color schemes, welcoming feel, clean individual elements, as well as heavy use of glass and steel and much-needed siding replacements that date back in historical times.

What is interior design according to you? ›

Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces, that are aesthetically pleasing, within a building. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with decorative elements, sometimes complemented by advice and practical assistance.

Can you do interior design by yourself? ›

Yes, Interior design comes from the heart and your passion for the craft. But it also requires you to find potential clients, understand the client's goals towards their house, and formulate appropriate design plans for the interior spaces.

Can I be an interior designer if I don t know how to draw? ›

One of the most common questions asked by students starting on the Interior Design Diploma or short-course is 'Do I have to be able to draw? '. The simple answer is no, but it helps to have some level of ability and confidence in your sketches. Sketching is an essential part of the interior design process.

What is the difference between interior design and interior style? ›

Interior styling is mainly focused on aesthetics and creating visually appealing spaces, while interior design is focused on both aesthetics and functionality, as well as compliance with building codes and accessibility standards.

What is the highest degree in interior design? ›

Doctorate Degree in Interior Design

Doctoral programs in interior design provide the highest form of education available. Individuals who pursue these programs typically want to work in research, postsecondary teaching, or advanced business roles.

What is the 60 30 10 decorating rule? ›

This decorating rule suggests that you should cover your room with 60% of a dominant color, 30% of a secondary color, and 10% of an accent shade. It is all about maintaining the perfect balance of tones. Pick colors that mingle well with each other to create a subtle combo.

What are the 7 concepts of interior design? ›

This is particularly true regarding the seven principles of interior design: balance, unity, rhythm, emphasis, contrast, scale and proportion, and details. These standards have been created to help accomplish harmonious interiors that convey character.

What is the most popular interior design style? ›

Rustic Interior Design Style

There are many popular interior styles to highlight, and the Rustic is one of the most popular and is found in homes worldwide.

What do interior designers look for? ›

Interior designers typically do the following: Search for and bid on new projects. Determine the client's goals and requirements for the project. Consider how the space will be used and how people will move through the space.

What inspires me interior design? ›

Art and fashion, two realms known for their vibrant expressions of creativity and personal style, provide a boundless source of inspiration for interior design. Art pieces, in their diverse forms, can guide the choice of colours, textures, and forms in space.

How many types of interior design are there? ›

Traditional interior designing Style. Modern style of interior design. Industrial interior design style. Minimalist interior design style.

When should you start looking for interior designer? ›

We recommend at least 10 months before you're ready to move in. This gives you plenty of time to wait for architects, engineers, interior designers and contractors to complete their job. At the same time, you'll be able to understand your personal needs, preferences and desires when it comes to interior design.

Is interior design for everyone? ›

Who can be an interior designer? It's something innate. There's an understanding of proportions and aesthetics that's more developed in some people than others. It's important to train and have a curious attitude so that you always keep learning.

Do interior designers have good work-life balance? ›

While some firms encourage a balanced schedule, the nature of client-driven work can lead to irregular hours. Successful designers typically master time management and set clear boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance, but flexibility is a key aspect of the profession.

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