Interior design is far from static. You can incorporate multiple styles in your home to make it unique, or you can rigidly stick to one that catches your eye from floor to ceiling. The choice is yours.
However, if you don’t understand the various elements that interior designers use for their palettes constitute different interior design styles, you can’t combine them. What you usually wind up with is a disjointed design that lacks direction.
You don’t necessarily need to stick to these design elements from start to finish. You can mix and match them to fit your new or remodeled kitchen. But if you don’t understand what factors make each style unique, you can’t create the art you envision.
This article discusses ten of the most common interior design principles. The point of this article is not prescriptive. It is merely to inform you of some potential design elements that can liven your living space.
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Modern
The Modernism movement of the 1920s paved the way for this interior design style that shouldn’t be confused with the adjective “modern.” Modernism is also different from contemporary interior design.
Modernism mainly utilizes wood, metal, glass, and steel with a monochromatic or neutral color palette. Its simple furniture typically incorporates glassy cabinets, and it is most notable for its clean lines, simple adornments, and lack of clutter. It exemplifies the phrase, “form follows function.”
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Traditional
The traditional interior design integrates classic European style. However, it doesn’t simply recycle outdated norms. It brings comfort and familiarity while incorporating elegance and luxury- an enticing combination.
Traditional interior design often uses wood for its construction materials. Its furniture uses floral patterns and rich wood styles such as mahogany, maple, and cherry with silk and velvet upholstering to make a lasting impression.
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Contemporary
Contemporary style differs from modern furniture style in that it’s not a static trend but one that constantly evolves with time. This style typically uses simplicity as its focal point and combines clean lines to create a functional, sophisticated style.
Contemporary interior design also favors design elements that eliminate clutter and cultivate a sleek, fresh design.
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Industrial
The industrial interior design attempts to mimic the outside industrial world, heavily utilizing metal and brick to bring a raw, exposed aesthetic to your home’s interior. However, industrial interior design isn’t only for people living in lofts. It can transform any space into an industrial safe haven with the right color palette and materials for furnishings that bring rustic qualities.
Its most distinguishing features are its open concept layout, high ceilings, exposed materials, and functional mix of old and new negative space.
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Transitional
The transitional interior design mixes both contemporary and original styles to offer the best of both worlds. Its sleek lines, moderate adornments, and recognizable focus walls give the transitional bring life to its neutral colors such as brown, taupe, tan, cream, and gray.
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Rustic
The rustic interior design is all about incorporating naturally occurring elements into your interior design. Cottages and townhomes often use this country-esque design style. However, it’s gaining popularity in urban areas as well. Rustic style incorporates natural elements such as branches, logs, and reclaimed wood to give your indoor environment a naturalistic feel.
The most distinguishable features in the rustic style are its wooden beams, stone fireplaces, accent walls, and warm colors. Colors such as brown, green, gray and beige, pair with rough edges to create worn finishes. If you crave simpler decorative textures, the rustic style should do the trick.
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Bohemian
The bohemian interior design style is for those who crave a little carefree attitude in their living environment. It offers plenty of opportunities for the decorator to express themselves with their decorations and color palette.
With colorful, layered textures and patterns, vintage items, and beautiful tapestries, the Bohemian style is perfect for those pushing the envelope. Its second-hand/vintage furniture style ensures that you can save money while incorporating this interior design style.
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Minimalist
The minimalist interior design style says it all: less is more. Less furniture. Less clutter. Fewer accessories. A more attractive environment. The minimalist style incorporates glass, wood, marble, concrete, and metal with streamlined shapes, ad simple, functional colors. Its clean lines, uncluttered feeling, and lack of orientation give it a serene atmosphere that lets in loads of light.
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Hollywood Regency
Back when Hollywood was burgeoning as one of the most recognizable areas globally, the Hollywood regency was taking hold along with the glamour and glitz of Hollywood itself. If you’re into minimalist elements, this isn’t the interior design style for you.
The Hollywood Regency is for anyone looking to make a statement with their interior design. They aren’t afraid to take risks, and they embrace opulence and a touch of the ostentatious. Its furniture ranges from plush velvet to lacquered silk and satin upholstery.
The color palette for Hollywood Regency is regal and all but excessive. The building materials for the Hollywood Regency are also excessive- glass, giant mirrors, and lacquered everything makes this interior design style one of a kind. But it can get ridiculous quickly if you don’t restrain yourself.
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Scandinavian
Whereas the Hollywood Regency thumbs its nose at the minimalist aesthetic, the Scandinavian interior design emphasizes the natural beauty minimalism provides. Using elements such as natural and artificial lighting,
Scandinavian design is well-rooted to minimalist designs and combines simplicity with clean lines. Its natural colors, such as white, black, gray, and brown, combined with functional, simple accessories and clutter-free minimalist furniture styles.
Conclusion
Interior designers need extensive familiarity with a wide range of interior design styles. However, even if you plan on remodeling your kitchen, you need some familiarity with the various styles.
The interior designs included in this article are by no means the complete list. They are the tip of the iceberg. However, having a firm understanding of multiple styles allows you to mix and match these styles to your preference so that you can cultivate the interior design of your dreams.
