Are you looking for home décor ideas to update the décor in your home? Have you ever been confused on what all the interior home decorating styles are?
If you are remodeling or restoring your home, building a new home, or just moved into a new space. This article will help you discover your style to pick the best design choices. Before you begin decorating your home, the 1st thing you MUST DO is decide what your design style is.
Why is it important to identify your home décor style? Identifying your home décor style eliminates overwhelm, saves time, and gives you peace of mind and confidence when shopping for your home décor.
When you don’t know what style you love, you will feel overwhelmed by all the home décor ideas you find on Pinterest, or in your local stores and become very confused. You also will be indecisive on what to choose, relying on others to pick for you. It’s okay to listen to suggestions from friends and family but this is YOUR home. You have to make sure someone else is not calling all the shots. You have to decide what it is that YOU want.
Home decorating styles vary from person to person.
This is why it is very important that YOU identify the style that you love to make your home a place you never want to leave. After seeing all the different home décor styles, you may feel that you love more than one.
That is perfectly fine.
You can incorporate different styles together to get your perfect look.
For instance, you may love the modern and farmhouse look, well guess what there is a modern farmhouse design style you can easily create in your home.
While I was restoring my home due to it flooding from a Tropical Storm, I began researching different styles and what I loved.
I discovered I love contemporary, farmhouse, modern and rustic home designs.
For me, this was a perfect match. However, I would say that when I look at my house, I can see a blend of different styles that all mesh well together and shows the personality of our family.
You also may favor several styles and that is perfectly fine. Simply find a way to combine those styles and make it unique to you. I have researched 15 different home decorating styles below that you can choose from and begin the journey of creating a space you love.
DEFINING YOUR HOME DECORATING STYLES – 15 DIFFERENT STYLES TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY YOUR STYLE AND GET THE LOOK
Farmhouse Style
We all have to agree Chip and Joanna Gaines hit show Fixer Upper shed a bright light on Farmhouse style. So, what is the farmhouse style anyway? The Farmhouse style consists of natural elements that bring a warm, cozy, and relaxed feeling to a space. According to Joanna Gaines book Homebody, those who are drawn to the farmhouse style “appreciate items that are homemade and authentic.” To help achieve a great farmhouse look, you would want to consider adding the following to your home; exposed wood beams, barnwood, butcher block, apron sinks, shiplap, and vintage furniture, just to name a few. Other farmhouse decor ideas include; avoiding bright colors, painting your walls a neutral color such as beige, white and cream, using burlap – such as a burlap letter board, distressed woods, wire baskets, rustic wall sconces, and rustic wall art that you can hang in your kitchen, office, living room, bathroom or any other space in your home.
Modern Farmhouse Style
A new take on the traditional farmhouse look is called modern farmhouse. Modern farmhouse is simply using classical farmhouse elements mixed with modern features, marrying the old with the new. Think in terms of combining clean contemporary lines with the aesthetic of a country farm. To achieve this design style, instead of painting your walls, white, cream, or beige, like you would with a traditional farmhouse style, you could paint your walls gray. Other ways to get the modern farmhouse look would be by adding modern light fixtures, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. This super cute bread box found on Amazon would look great in a modern farmhouse kitchen and help save you so much counter space. Wood Bathroom decor boxes to hold toilet paper is also a great way to get the farmhouse look.
Contemporary Style
The contemporary style is all about round edges and clean lines, a casual atmosphere, and neutral color palettes such as whites, tans, blacks, and grays. Although, a neutral palette is consistent with a contemporary style, you can also add pops of color to your space using decorative throw pillow covers to your existing pillows that can be placed on your couch or bed. Contemporary design is ever changing and always evolving. It is frequently described as a home design style that encompasses several different styles. To achieve the contemporary style look for your home, you would include furniture with clean lines and rounded edges and minimal use of patterns that are typically reserved for items such as rugs similar to this one. Also, use of oversized artwork displayed on the walls, while also focusing on solid textured fabrics is a great way to get a contemporary look. Contemporary design is a style that shows what is “trendy” at the moment. But with this style continuously evolving, you can always change it up a bit if you are someone who loves to have your home reflect the current trends.
Modern Style
Modern Style and Contemporary Style often are confused as being the exact same thing. Although there are some similarities with these 2 styles, there are some distinct differences in both of these styles. These differences will help you identify which home décor style more so resonates with you. When you think of the modern style, think minimalism with clean lines in your furniture, cabinets, and lighting. Modern design focuses on wood earthly tones with minimal furniture pieces with only the bare essentials in a room. To achieve the modern style look, you would add minimal furniture pieces with clean lines. Each item would have a particular function to the space. Also, focusing on textures and textiles to warm up your space is key with modern home design. These beautiful white planters found on Amazon truly exhibit the modern style.
Traditional Style
You guessed it traditional home decorating styles are based on tradition. This style is inspired by European decor dated back to the 18th and 19th century. This home décor style is all about having an orderly space with symmetrical matching furniture. Everything just goes together. With this design style, you will find neutral walls, elegant and ornate furniture, including dark woods and wingback chairs. Consistency and order are key to this style. This style also has a royal feel and look. To achieve the traditional style, you would purchase matching furniture sets with an emphasis on dark wood, being sure everything is symmetrical and matches. A traditional glass oval coffee table really displays the traditional style in your living room. Sprucing up your space with accessories is a great way to add even more traditional elements. Crown molding and wood paneling are also typically found in a traditional style home to give you a true traditional feel.
Beach House Style
Beach house style is as simple as it sounds. Decorating your house to reflect the beach. If you love the beach this decorating style is perfect for you. To achieve this look, think of whites, blues, corals, and beach elements that can be used in your home décor. Here are similar white curtains in the picture below to give for that beach house look. You can also create a beach feel by choosing wicker furniture and objects that pertain to the beach such as sand and seashells. Remember beach home decorating styles are synonymous with coastal décor while a nautical theme has a whole different kind of look. Although, you can definitely mix these two themes together if you choose.
Industrial Style
Typically, an urban loft or historic building comes to mind when you think of industrial style. However, there are ways to create the industrial style even if you don’t live in a loft space or building that has now been converted to a home. For those of you who don’t know what industrial style is, this style includes concrete floors, exposed ductwork, and raw materials that gives your space an unfinished look. Exposed brick is also a classic industrial style. To achieve an industrial look in your home you can use brick wallpaper, incorporate metal beams, and purchase industrial inspired furniture.
Transitional Style
Transitional style is a mixture of both traditional and contemporary styles, the old and the new merged together. A transitional style is one of the home décor styles that can stand the test of time. When choosing this style, you won’t have to change your home décor often as this style always has a fresh look. In compared to a contemporary style, a transitional style has less of a bold look. While a traditional style home may have only ornate furniture, a transitional style home may opt for contemporary furniture, but have traditional elements in the home such as crown molding. To achieve the transitional style look, start with a neutral palette, add colorful accessories, and have a blend of contemporary and traditional furnishings.
Rustic Style
No rustic style is not just limited to living in a log cabin. Rustic style is a style that incorporates natural, rough, aged, and raw wood and stone materials. With a rustic style it’s all about bringing natural elements indoors. Rustic décor can be found in farmhouse and Tuscan style homes. To bring a rustic look to your own home include warmer neutral tones of browns, beiges, whites and grays. Also, usage of heavier wood furniture, wooden beams, reclaimed wood, and large windows to bring the outdoors in. Rustic home decor such as these gorgeous wooden block letters that say Family, Home, and Love on Amazon can be beautifully exhibited in your home.
Boho Style
Boho style is a mixture of mismatched patterns and textures to create an eclectic look. The bohemian style is a style that is artistic and unconventional. This style can either have a neutral palette and incorporating natural green florals and flowers or have bright colors with different geometric patterns. To achieve the boho style in your home décor, first decide if you want a neutral color palette or a color palette with bright colors. Next shop for items that have bold textures, mismatched patterns, and natural elements. Placing a hammock style hanging chair in a bedroom like the picture below is a great way to add the boho style.
Hollywood Regency Style
Hollywood regency style is all about the glitz and glam that originated during the 1930s. This style is over the top with lots of lacquered finishes, luxurious textures and fabrics such as velvet drapes, and glossy shiny furniture and accessories. Although, similar to the art deco style, Hollywood regency has more of an eclectic ornate look. The best way to achieve the Hollywood regency style is to use glass and metallic accents that have a glam look. Also include in your home décor a mixture of bold textures, colors and patterns.
French Country Style
French country style is just as it sounds. This style is a mixture of country and elegance inspired by homes in Provence, France. To achieve the French country style look you would include neutral colors, natural materials, touches of gold, and elegant lighting. Also, florals, toile which is a bleached cotton fabric popular in France, and distressed wood and reclaimed wood beams, all give you French country style vibes. Classic toile pattern curtains like this are perfect for your living room or bedroom. Lastly, adding in elegant chandeliers are a must to truly bring in the splendor and elegance of France.
Scandinavian Style
Clean lines and minimalism are the perfect way to describe the Scandinavian style. If you are not familiar with this style think of the furniture store Ikea. If you love Ikea, you will definitely love this design style. White end tables truly show the Scandi style. Scandinavian color schemes are neutrals; bright whites, tans and blacks. Because this design style has an extreme focus on the outdoors, incorporating plants and uncovered natural wood floors are essential. Some key things to know to achieve this style are; uncluttered bright open spaces, modern furniture, and lots of white.
Mid-century Modern Style
For Mid-century modern style decorating styles, think sleek lines with organic shapes. This style has a more futuristic look using bold colors and geometric accessories. When wanting to achieve this style, you will create a minimalistic space, with furniture that has clean lines. The use of bold colors can be used in your accessories, furniture or both. Incorporating natural elements is also another important factor to get this look.
I hope this list of 15 home décor styles has helped you define your home decorating style. Remember, you may love more than one style and that is perfectly fine. Mix and matching design styles can be done. Learning your design style will help you identify what you love and what you want to incorporate in your own home and truly make it a space you enjoy.