The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Home’s Interior Design Style

If you’re the type of person who could browse Pinterest boards or IGTV for hours looking for interior design ideas, you’re certainly not alone. Because more and more people own their homes today and many of us are spending more time than ever before in our homes, the home decor and interior design markets are growing at an incredible rate.

Since interest in home decor and design is at an all-time high, it makes perfect sense that there’s an abundance of style options to choose from. It can be a bit overwhelming trying to decide how to design your home, especially if you find — like most people — that you’re drawn to elements from different styles. In order to define your personal design aesthetic, it helps to understand the different interior design styles.

Determining your home’s design style

The first rule of interior design is to not take any of the rules too seriously. This is your home and the most important thing is for you to feel comfortable in it and, well, at home. You may very well find that more than one style resonates with you, which is technically a design style in itself — eclectic. Home interiors should be direct reflections of the people who live in them, so it’s perfectly okay to use elements from different styles. We are all a little different, after all.

There are several ways to help you figure out which design styles best suit you and your home. As you browse social media or flip through magazines, take note of what sorts of things you’re consistently drawn to. Go for a drive and pay attention to the types of homes you like best. Take stock of the things you already have in your home, from the fixtures and the furniture to the art on the walls and the clothes in your closet. Which items do you absolutely love, and which do you wish you could replace?

Taking all of these things into consideration, what patterns do you notice? Does your taste lean modern and trendy or more timeless and traditional? Do you favor bright colors and patterns, or are solids and neutrals more your style? If you have some clearly-defined preferences, it may be very simple for you to decide on your home’s interior design style. And if your taste seems to be all over the place, remember that you can create your own eclectic design aesthetic, borrowing individual elements from several different styles.

Traditional

As its name implies, traditional design is one of the oldest and most well-known styles in the world. It’s inspired by Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries and focuses on classic lines, dark wood or leather furniture that’s both comfortable and functional, muted color palettes, and luxe textiles. Fabrics commonly found in traditionally-decorated homes include silk, velvet, and linen, often in floral, striped, or damask prints.

Modern

There is a great deal of confusion between modern and contemporary design styles, mostly because the literal definition of both words is so similar. Many people use the two terms interchangeably, but in fact modern and contemporary design are distinctly different.

Modern, or “mod,” design refers to a specific era, approximately the 1900s through the 1970s. The trademarks of modern style include crisp lines, minimal ornamentation, and bold accent pieces in otherwise neutral color schemes. Furniture in modern homes typically has clean edges and is accented with simple glass or chrome, like this Natuzzi leather armchair.

Mid-century Modern

Making things even more confusing when it comes to modern design is the fact that there are a number of eras within the modern era. Arguably the most popular is mid-century design, which refers to styles from the 1950s and ’60s. Despite the fact that we continue to move further and further away from this time period, mid-century modern style enjoys unwavering popularity.

The focus of mid-century modern style is breaking from tradition. It’s common to see a mix of rich wood and leather furniture along with pieces in funky shapes and colors, like the iconic egg chair in chartreuse or orange.

Contemporary

Contemporary design is fluid and ever-changing, defined by the here and now. As we mentioned, contemporary is commonly confused with modern design. One thing that distinguishes them is that modern style is defined by a specific time period that has already passed, while contemporary design centers around the present.

Since by definition the present is constantly evolving, so too is contemporary design. It draws on several time periods and design elements, so it can be difficult to clearly define, but there are some constants within contemporary homes. Living spaces are generally kept uncluttered, glass and metals are frequently used, and furniture often has exposed legs, all contributing to an open, airy feel.

Transitional

This is one of the most popular interior design styles throughout the world, and for good reason — transitional design is a happy medium, meaning it draws on both traditional and contemporary. Transitional style offers an understated elegance, blending the signature muted color palettes and dark wood furniture of traditional decor with more contemporary textiles. Think a classically-shaped leather sofa accented with colorful throw pillows and an area rug.

Farmhouse/Rustic

If there’s a single design style that’s taken the world by storm in recent years, it’s modern farmhouse, also commonly referred to as rustic. Brimming with character, the farmhouse style incorporates lots of natural elements, such as wood, leather, and linen. This style focuses on clean lines and uncomplicated designs with understated focal points, like barn doors, industrial light fixtures, contrasting textiles, and oversized leather sectionals.

Scandinavian

This minimalist design style is easy to recognize. Scandinavian design focuses on crisp, clean lines, low profile furniture, and warm, ashy colors. The Danish concept of hygge is at the core of Scandinavian design, which emphasizes comfort and warmth without being too complicated. To this point, Scandinavian homes are typically open and airy. They have warmly-colored, organic furniture, but choose it sparingly so as to make use of the home’s negative space.

It can certainly be daunting trying to decide on an interior design style for your home, but you don’t have to do it on your own. At our Clearwater furniture store, our team of leather experts is passionate about what we do. We’re committed to delivering quality service, luxury, and value, and it’s an honor to help you bring your interior design visions to reality. Contact us today or stop by one of our five convenient Florida locations.