Common Design Styles Part One
Finding a design style is important when you’re trying to figure out the best furniture pieces and décor for your home Having a specific style in mind is what helps you create a cohesive design and avoid unnecessary purchases. It’s an important first step to any design process.
Due to the vast amount of styles in existence, I have broken them into two parts. In part one we’re going to discuss the nine most common design styles you can find, and key characteristics to help you identify them. The less common styles will be discussed in part two! Use this as a guide to help you identify your current style in your home as well as any style you want to switch to in the future.
Mid-Century Modern
This is the most common design trend right now in 2022 and has been for a couple of years. It’s bringing back flairs of the 40s to 60s with a modern twist.
Key Characteristics:
Clean lines, organic curves & tapered legs
Linen, velvet, leather, wool fabrics
Black, white, retro & jewel toned colors along with honey colored woods & glass
Geometric forms & bold patterns
Understated furniture with clean lines & minimal footprint
High functionality of spaces & furniture
Contemporary
This style is a representation of the here and now. It’s focused on the current trends of interior design. It’s currently focused on simplicity, openness & incorporating plenty of natural elements to your space.
Key Characteristics:
Currently influenced by Minimalism & Modernism
Monochromatic or bold colors
Soft lines & comfortable textures
Natural elements like wood, cork & stone
Trendy furnishings & décor
Modern
Although it’s similar to Contemporary, it has some distinct differences. It’s a mix between the start of the mid-century modern and industrial styles. It’s focused on form and function, simplicity, and openness.
Key Characteristics:
Geometric & organic shapes
Neutral colors like black, cream, grey, tans & only pops of color
Marble, metal & plastic sleek furniture that is simple
Leather, cotton, linen fabrics
Cooper & chrome metals are commonly used
Japandi
A combination of Japan and Scandinavian styles which is storming the design world currently with its focus on function, simplicity, minimalism, and comfort.
Key Characteristics:
Natural color palette
Empty spaces (the concept of ma)
A celebration of imperfections (wabi-Sabi)
Light toned woods & native plants, all things natural
Focus on symmetry & balance in each space
Transitional
This is a mix between modern and traditional styles. It’s a balance of classic & modern, luxury & comfort, masculine & feminine pieces.
Key Characteristics:
Clean and crisp modern angles
Balance between modern and traditional pieces, nothing too stark
Neutral colors, subtle accents or monochromatic color schemes
Unique mix of materials is widely used
Larger and intentional pieces of art is best
Traditional
A celebration of the styles of the past which focuses on intricate details, plush furnishings and warmth all around. It often has a timeless feel to it with its strong influence of elegance and comfort.
Key Characteristics:
Dark colored woods, crystal & porcelain are common materials found
Rich warm tones with gold accents
Feminine curves & ornately carved antique furnishings
Gingham, stripes, floral & chintz patterns are commonly seen together
Fabrics of velvet, tweed, leather, chenille
Symmetry & Classic art is highlighted along with ornate shapes
Coastal
A style meant to create a tranquil space reflective of the ocean with a cool color palette and soft lines.
Key Characteristics:
Cool color palette with pops of blue & turquoise
Plenty of natural light
Elements of driftwood, jute, wicker & knotted rope
Colorful fabrics to brighten the space
Wood floors and natural fiber rugs
Fabrics is often chambray, linen, grass cloth & gauze
Modern Farmhouse
Coined by Chip & Joanna Gaines, this style focuses on combining the old with the new. Heavy focus on antique or second-hand furnishings with modern elements mixed in to create a beautiful balance.
Key Characteristics:
Warm and natural color palettes with black or white accents
Warm and medium wood tones
Greenery in every room
Embrace the antiques and second-hand items you have or find
Black & brass metals
Minimalism
A design trend where less is more, monochrome is the way to go, and everything has a clean-cut look to it.
Key Characteristics:
Clean lines & curves
Monochromatic color palette
No clutter, minimal decorations
Focus on functionality & multipurpose usage
Focus on the empty spaces
I wanted to leave you with a quick tip when it comes to defining your own style: don’t feel trapped by one set style. There are two schools of thought when it comes to defining your special taste and while I plan to go into more detail about that soon, here’s the basics of them. Option 1 is to pick a two-word phrase, your first word is a feeling word; the emotion you want when you see the home and walk across the threshold. The second word is the actual design style. For example, I’m a huge fan of cozy minimalism. I want a simpler lifestyle with less to worry about, hence the minimalism. However, I’m not willing to give up the coziness that comes from the constantly used throw blankets, touches of seasonal décor and loads of books. Therefore, this is a perfect two-word design style for me.
The second possibility is to pick two unique design styles to combine, like modern farmhouse. You take characteristics of both styles and find a way to balance them cohesively. The key when looking for your design style is to study your Pinterest board, favorite HGTV shows and magazines to see what style predominately speaks to you and makes you smile. Start by defining those elements you love in each photo and what style they are.
Once you have a better understanding of the styles out there and how to create your unique design phrase, you can move forward with the design process in your own home. Which one of these spoke to you the most? Didn’t see anything you like? Come back for part 2.
If you’re looking for someone to help you through the process of finding your style, creating a detailed floor plan and list of shoppable items, then head over to the Contact Me section in the side bar and reach out today to schedule a Discovery Call with me to see if I’m your perfect fit as an Interior Stylist and Organizer. I want to help take that stress out of your day and create a beautifully functional and sustainable home where you feel confident & comfortable.
