There are many popular interior design styles to choose from when decorating your home. The beauty of owning your own home is you can really choose what decorating style suits you best! If you are curious about what interior design themes are commonly found in American homes, this article will reveal the styles that have stood the test of time!
Top Interior Design Styles
Each of these interior design styles has become a mainstay in American home design.
Mid-Century Modern
The mid-century modern decor style is marked by simplicity, functionality, and natural elements. Common features of the mid-century modern style include clean lines, organic shapes, credenzas, minimalistic decor, and a focus on function over form. This interior design style first gained popularity in the 1950s and has made a comeback in recent years. If you are looking for a sleek and modern design style, mid-century modern is a great option!
Traditional
Traditional interior design is characterized by its use of classic furniture and decor. It is typically used to design homes in the oldest part of the country such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York. Traditional-style homes will have a more formal appearance, with symmetry and order being key elements. Traditional decorating makes use of colors that are usually muted, and fabrics have a tendency to be heavy.
Contemporary
Contemporary interior design is often confused with modern interior design. Contemporary interior design can actually be quite different, as it includes elements of both traditional and modern design styles. In general, contemporary interior design is more fluid and flexible than other styles, borrowing elements from both traditional and modern design.
Minimalist
The minimalist interior design style is all about simplicity and functionality. This style is perfect for those who want a clean and uncluttered look in their home. Minimalist decor often features neutral colors, clean lines, and a lack of clutter. Minimalist decor elements include basic white dressers, simple cream sofas, black lighting fixtures, and neutral rugs.
Bohemian
The bohemian interior design style is all about being worldly and different. The boho style is perfect for those who want to express their individuality through their home decor. Bohemian decor includes bright colors, eclectic furniture, and a mix of patterns. Bohemian furniture often includes vintage pieces and antique accents. If you are looking for a design style that is truly unique, bohemian interior design is a great option for you!
Shabby Chic
The Shabby Chic interior design style is all about creating a cozy and comfortable space with a focus on vintage elements. common features of the shabby chic style include distressed furniture, faded fabrics, antique accents, and floral patterns. If you are looking for a design style that is cozy and inviting, shabby chic is a great option!
Farmhouse
The Farmhouse interior design style is all about comfort and simplicity. It is often used in homes in the southern United States such as in Texas and Oklahoma. The farmhouse style is perfect for those who want a cozy and welcoming look in their home. Modern farmhouse decor often features rustic furniture, natural materials, and a focus on comfort.
Farmhouse style furniture is often made of rustic materials like wood and metal. The furniture is usually simple in design, with a focus on function over form. The traditional Farmhouse style decor often includes a mix of patterns, with plaids and florals being common choices.
Coastal
The coastal interior design style is all about relaxed seaside living. The coastal decorating style is perfect for those who want to create a vacation-like atmosphere in their home. Beach homes, summer houses, and vacation apartments near the shore are perfect for the coastal decor style. Coastal decor typically features light colors, natural materials, and a focus on relaxation. Blue sofas, rattan dining chairs, and whitewashed furniture are all great elements for coastal homes.
There are several types of coastal interior design styles to choose from depending on where your coastal home is located:
- tropical
- nautical
- coastal grandmother
- California casual
- lake house
- Mediterranean
Industrial
The industrial interior design style is all about raw materials and unfinished simplicity. It’s often found in lofted apartments and city homes. This style is perfect for those who want an edgy and urban look in their home. Industrial decor often features exposed brick, metal ceiling beams, concrete, and mixed metals.
Eclectic
The eclectic interior design style is all about mixing and matching different elements. This style is perfect for those who want a unique and individualized look in their home. The eclectic decor features a mix of colors, patterns, and textures.
Rustic
The rustic interior design style is all about comfort and simplicity. This style is perfect for those who want a cozy and welcoming look in their home. Rustic decor usually features natural materials, warm colors, and a focus on comfort. Rustic furniture might have a live edge to keep things natural. Rustic decor is often used in cabin homes and mountain retreats.
Vintage
The vintage interior design style is all about nostalgia and comfort. This style is perfect for those who want a cozy and inviting look in their home. Vintage decor often uses antique furniture, floral patterns, and a focus on comfort.
Scandinavian
Scandinavian interior design is all about simplicity, functionality, and beauty. This design style is perfect for those who want a stylish, yet comfortable home. The main focus is on clean lines and neutral colors, with a few pops of color throughout. Scandinavian design is also very minimalistic, so you won’t find a lot of clutter in a home decorated in this style.
If you’re interested in Scandinavian decorating, there are a few pointers to get you started. Stick to a basic color palette. Whites, blacks, and grays are perfect for this Nordic style. Add in very few pops of color. This can be done with throw pillows, blankets, rugs, or artwork. Keep the decor minimal. This means no clutter and only adding pieces that are both stylish and functional. Incorporate natural materials. Wood, stone, and plants are all perfect for Scandinavian interior design.
Country
Characterized by natural materials, country home decor features a cozy, inviting feel. Common elements include gingham fabrics, floral patterns, wood furniture, and muted colors. This style is often associated with traditional values and a simpler way of life.
French Country
The French country decorating style is popular for many reasons. Although it’s associated with an aristocratic European style of home decor, the truth is it can be dressed up or down. French country decor relies heavily on classic furniture pieces, antique decor, and natural materials.
This interior design style can be tough to achieve since it requires a lot of expensive vintage pieces from France as well as a French country home. Nevertheless, you can source French country furniture replicas here in the States if you look hard. French Country interior design is all about creating a warm and welcoming space with a few key pieces often passed down through the family.
Some of the most important elements of French Country interior design include:
- Classic furniture pieces: French country furniture relies heavily on classic, antique pieces. This can include anything from antique Louis chairs, Cabriole sofas, rattan bistro chairs, and bistro tables to more modern pieces that are inspired by French design.
- Antique decor: Another key element of French Country interior design is the antique decor passed down through generations of French families. This can include anything from old paintings and sculptures to vintage clocks and candelabras.
- Natural materials: French Country interior design also relies heavily on natural materials. This includes using wood, stone, and other organic materials in your décor.
Glamorous
Glamorous interior design is all about creating a luxurious and sophisticated space. Glam decor relies heavily on metallics, shimmering fabrics, and statement pieces. The glam style is often associated with Hollywood glamour and the rich and famous.
Some of the most important elements of glamorous interior design include:
- Metallics: Metallics are one of the most important elements of glamorous interior design. This can include anything from gold and silver to more modern metals like copper and brass.
- Shimmering fabrics: Another key element of glamorous interior design is shimmering fabrics. This can include anything from sequined dresses to shimmering curtains.
- Statement pieces: Statement pieces are also important in glamorous interior design. This can include anything from chandeliers and mirrors to art and sculptures.
Modern
Modern interior design is all about creating a clean and contemporary space. It relies heavily on minimalism, neutral colors, and geometric shapes. This style is often associated with the mid-20th century modernist movement. It is popular in homes across the United States.
Some of the most important elements of modern interior design include:
- Minimalism: Minimalism is one of the most important elements of modern interior design. This means using as few furniture and décor pieces as possible to create a clean and uncluttered space.
- Neutral colors: Another key element of modern interior design is the use of neutral colors. This can include anything from white and black to more muted shades like gray and beige.
- Geometric shapes: Geometric shapes are also important in modern interior design. This can include anything from simple lines and shapes to more complex patterns and designs.
English Country
English country decor is one of the most popular interior design styles in England and even in the US. This home style is cozy and inviting, and it often features natural materials like wood and stone. If you want to create an English country look in your home, start by adding some rustic English furniture like roll arm sofas and traditional English accessories. Then, add some floral fabrics and patterns to give the space a cozy, cottage feel. Don’t forget to add plenty of greenery to create a truly English country look.
Feminine
Feminine interior design is all about creating a space that is soft, pretty, and inviting. It relies heavily on pastel colors, floral patterns, and delicate furniture. This style is often associated with the Victorian era, when homes were decorated with a lot of frills and lace.
Some of the most important elements of feminine interior design include shades of pink and blue, muted shades like lavender and mint, and plenty of girly floral patterns!
Which interior design style is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
