10 Most Popular Types of Interior Design Styles

If you have been researching how to design your home’s interior, you probably have come across different interior design styles such as “contemporary,” “modern”, “industrial”, “art deco”, and several others. Have you ever wondered what these terminologies actually mean? For starters, these terms refer to different interior design styles, with each design having its unique characteristics, flavor, finish, and experience, and interior styles. This article seeks to decode the meaning of some of these interior design styles and to explain why they are as popular as they are.

While the interior design profession has existed for just over 100 years, the process of interior design has existed for as long as humans have been constructing homes and decorating them based on their needs and materials available to them.

Today, we are going to talk about some top interior design styles that have managed to stand the test of time and are used by people even today.

1. Modern Interior Design Style

from the onset, it is important to note that “modern” and “contemporary” are two different interior styles. 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. Black and white dominate the color palette, with some faded shades blue, red, among other prime colors.

the Modern Design style is from a specific period – the dawn of the 20th century. This style is rooted in German and Scandinavian design styles and architecture. It is all about logic and practicality and the paintings and sculptures are chosen accordingly. The focus of the designer is on functionality and NOT on the form.

the living spaces are designed in a minimalist manner with open floor plans. It focuses on block colors and primary hues with modern art in contrasting colors. The furniture used is functional and simple with clean lines. Natural lights play an essential role in a modern home while accent lighting is used to highlight specific elements, architectural features, sculptures, etc.

The core idea of the modern style is to create simple and clutter-free homes with no unnecessary adornments. Since form follows function, everything used in a modern home fulfills a practical purpose.

This style trended in the early 20th century and happened to make a comeback a century later. Most décor materials in this style border on simplicity, especially the furnishings. Nothing is overly loud or daring.

2. Contemporary Interior Design Style

contemporary interior design is a type of interior design style which refers to trends that are ruling now- at this very moment. An interior design style that was “contemporary” in the 2010s is not necessarily contemporary now, but a design that was “modern” back then still remains to be “modern”- always was, always will! In other words, modern design doesn’t change with time.

The contemporary interior design style is something that can be adjusted to every room in the house. Be that, bedroom, living room or even kitchen. A contemporary kitchen is a mix of new and old that makes it perfect for all members of the family to sit around and chat.

the Contemporary Interior Design style is more like the modern way of living – inspired by all the design styles in the past including minimalism, modernism, Art Deco, and even the historical design eras mentioned above. However, this does not imply that the contemporary style is ruffled and vague. Instead, it has clean lines and smooth surfaces offering an orderly appearance of the space.

Contemporary homes usually have open floor plans and use a lot of natural light. The materials used are eco-friendly or recycled with a lot of focus on energy conservation. The colors used are usually neutral with a dash of vibrancy using a brightly-colored sofa or painting, etc. Most of the furniture used in a contemporary styled home is from the present.

The crux of the contemporary design style is that it blends various styles without too much emphasis on any and creates a home that speaks volumes about the people who live in it – a home with a unique and fresh personality.

3. Art Moderne Interior Design Style

art Moderne originated from the United States in the early 1930s and trended until the late 1940s. Those days, this interior design style was all about bigger, bolder, and brassier. Furniture was designed with a swelling curve and other décor items were either pared or stripped down. Designers also refer to this interior design style as the American Modern or Modernist.

4. Mid-Century Interior Design Style

the mid-century interior design style was popular in the wake of the Second World War. Just like was the trend with almost every aspect of life those days, this interior design style emphasized on vivid use of color; from the walls to the wall arts, to the artifacts. Everything was colorful in this era.

This is an interior design style from the 40s to the 60s. As was symbolic of the times, after the end of World War II, minimalism and utility were the core themes of homes. A home designed with the Mid-Century Modern Style has a retro feel with a fresh twist. Timelessness and comfort are at the epicenter, making it one of the most preferred interior design styles. Typically, this design creates homes that are expressions of the homeowner.

Sculptures, graphical shapes, and highly saturated colors that are symbolic of the 50s and 60s find their way in this interior design style too.

The core idea of the mid-century modern interior design is to create homes like the ones featured in the television series Mad Men – a seamless flow between the outside and inside of the home, design elements from three decades of the 20th century (the 40s to the 60s), and a fresh take on the mid-century design style.

It was during this time that people realized that on top of making a home functional, there was a need for enough spaces for social activities within the home. That is why the style leaves tons of shared, common areas all-around a house. Go for this interior design style if your focus is on strengthening interpersonal bonds- if you are a highly social person.

5. Minimalist Interior Design Style

this minimalist interior design style originated in Australia and is still very popular there. The style emphasizes minimalism in all aspects of interior design, from simple furnishing to neutral color palettes, to functional but not flamboyant accessories. Everything is streamlined, simple, and necessary. No excesses.

6. Scandinavian Interior Design Style

the Scandinavian interior design style also embodies simplistic yet highly functional spaces. It is also warm and leaves space for personal invitations. What makes it different from minimalist designs is that the style emphasizes affordability and not just necessity. Most décor items are bare ornaments, rounded furniture, organic and clean detailing, as well as dominantly black and white color palettes. It is also characterized by bare layouts and arrangements. You could call it a blend of minimalism and mid-century styles.

7. Shabby Chic Style

the Shabby Chic Style is characterized by laid-back vibes, airy lighting fixtures, antique-touch furniture, and a vintage-inspired charm. It is inspired by modern designs, but it has some elements of contemporary design.

8. Eclectic Interior Design Style

eclecticism is all about picking ideas and inspiration from a broad and diverse range of sources. The Eclectic Interior Design style creates homes that are rich and layered with ideas picked from design eras and styles spanning centuries. This style brings contrasting style elements, colors, and textures together for a unique feel. This is chosen by people who prefer a bold décor and like expressing themselves creatively. There are hundreds of options to choose from and the output will depend on how the styles are merged.

For example, if you want to create a bohemian style feel to your living room, then you need to know the minute details of the design style and have access to the boho elements and furnishings that can help create that feel. The background colors used are usually neutral to allow the designer to highlight the accessories and furniture. Rooms designed with eclectic style have multiple focal points and work on balancing colors and textures to not overwhelm the eye.

The core idea of the eclectic style is to use all the styles from history and create something fresh, unique, and mesmerizing. It is all about creativity and the ability to use the mind freely and innovatively.

9. Industrial Interior Design Style

industrial Design is a union of style and utility. As the name suggests, an industrial-style home exposes building materials that are otherwise concealed like bare brick walls, pipes, and recycled materials. The designer tries to create a stylish space with a clear focus on function and utility all while trying to combine modern elements with an organic feel and ancient charm. In industrial-style homes, you can find elements picked from factories, industries, and warehouses.

These homes usually have open floor plans and the furniture is arranged to break the space. It is one of the easiest interior design styles to implement since it banks on a neutral color palette and materials along with some industrial elements. The designer does not have to bank on any cosmetic tricks to make the house look good since the raw industrial elements make a strong statement.

The core idea of industrial interior design is to use elements from factories and industries with other design styles to create a décor that is tailored to the homeowner.

10. Farmhouse Interior Design Style

a farmhouse is rustic and allows us to unite with nature since it uses a lot of organic and natural materials and furniture designed accordingly. The Farmhouse Interior Design style uses these elements and creates a farmhouse-like vibe in a city home surrounded by concrete. One of the most highlighting aspects of farmhouse interior design is the fact that each room is driven by a particular element. So, you can have a particular element ruling the living room and a different element ruling the bedroom, etc.

This design style has a minimalistic interior and allows the homeowner to rewind and relax while keeping functionality and elegance in mind. Another essential element of a farmhouse design is the lack of matching furniture or décor as it strictly goes against the rustic style of a farmhouse. Wood being the primary material used in this design style, the modern farmhouse is pretense-free, utilitarian, eclectic, and sophisticated – all at the same time.

The core idea of the farmhouse-style interiors is to use the chic elements from the countryside, modern industrial elements, heirlooms, and artistic elements to piece together a unique, luxurious and relaxing home.