12 Popular Decorating Styles Guide

Whether you’re buying furniture or sharing your ideas with a designer, it helps a lot to know which style resonates with you. Read on for the details you need to know about the 12 popular styles, including the logos for each look, the main differences, and (if you can’t choose just one) tips on which styles are particularly good to go with.

Transitional Style

What it is: The transitional style combines the classic, tried and tested appeal of a traditional look with a clean silhouette and understated tones in a modern twist. By avoiding the extremes of both – such as the traditional style or the delicate rolling and decoration of cutting-edge contemporary pieces – the transitional style takes an elegant line between the two while carving out its own unique niche.

Where it comes from: With the rise of modern styles, transitional styles developed as a welcome alternative – an elegant combination of new aesthetics and traditional comforts.

Good to know: the wide appeal of the transitional style means that it can be the perfect compromise for couples with different design tastes.

Features of the transitional style:

• Exquisite furnishings
• Tranquil tones
• Update Classic
• The fewer accessories, the better
• Luxurious materials such as marble, quartz, and plush carpets

This style is suitable for: coastal, farmhouse

Traditional Style

What: Traditional décor embodies a sense of history more than any other style, with heirloom-quality antiques, rich woods, plush rugs, and beautiful patterns. While the traditional style does lean towards formal, symmetrical arrangements and delicate materials, the ultimate goal is a feeling of comfort, warmth, and welcomingness.

Origins: The roots of the traditional style can be traced back to 18th and 19th century Europe, although a general respect for the past is more central to the style than a focus on any particular region of the world.

It’s worth mentioning: at first glance, it may be difficult to distinguish between traditional and transitional spaces (and it doesn’t help that the words are so similar), but when you know what to look for, it’s easier. In short, the traditional style firmly adheres to classic designs rooted in history, while the transitional style draws on both traditional and modern looks.

Features of the traditional style:

• Antiques and new pieces with a timeless feel
• Exquisite color palette
• Classic comforts such as a crackling fire in the fireplace and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves
• Luxurious materials such as marble and rich wood
• Intricate architectural details

This style is suitable for pairing: rustic, coastal, Mediterranean

Contemporary

What it is: In short, contemporary style is current, new – that’s what designers are creating today. Of course, novelty is not the only defining feature of this popular look. If you think of a series of decorations, the most decorated are traditional, and the modern style is firmly on the opposite end. This style embraces negative space, strong shapes, and clean lines, while leaving room for interpretation and experimentation.

Where it comes from: From the middle of the last century, the modern style has been evolving and evolving since the 20s of the 70th century, and it will continue to change as designers are influenced by the here and now.

Good to know: contemporary spaces are usually minimal and white, but not always; They can also be vibrant, playful, and full of colour and pattern, as evidenced by the rainbow selection of chairs on display in this space at the Centre for Habitat in London.

Features of the modern style:

• The latest trends and designs
• Sculptural furniture
• Open space
• Cutting-edge technology
• Minimal decoration

This style goes well with: rustic, coastal

Modern

What it is: Modern architecture and furniture emphasize form and structure rather than surface decoration – think large areas of glass; smooth surfaces such as concrete, steel, stone, and wood; and chrome and black leather accents.

Origins: The modern style has its origins in the modernist movement of the early and mid-20th century, especially the modernist art and the Bauhaus, an influential art and design school in Germany active in the early 20th century.

It is worth noting that modern, medieval and contemporary styles have some important features in common: they all emphasize clean lines and minimal decoration. You can think of the modern style as an umbrella for the medieval style. In contrast, contemporary style isn’t confined to any particular period – it’s just everything that’s happening at the moment of current design.

Features of the modern style:

• Sturdy, sculptural shapes
• Plenty of negative space
• A refreshing, clean color palette
• Minimal decoration
• Furniture with a stylish silhouette

This style goes well with: Scandinavian, industrial, medieval, farmhouse

Medieval Style

What: The medieval style emphasizes strong shapes, clean lines, iconic design, and graphic art that pays homage to the past while remaining relevant to today’s world.

Origins: The medieval style originated in the mid-20th century, from the mid-1940s to around 1970, but that doesn’t mean that today’s medieval modern style has to feel like an period piece.

It is worth mentioning: classics designed by mid-century greats such as Eero Saarinen, George Nelson, Charles Eames and Ray Eames and Hans Wegner are still in production today. Incorporating some iconic pieces – such as the Eames molded fiberglass chairs and Nelson bubble lamps showcased in this space by Lewis / Schoeplein Architects – is sure to elevate your mid-century modern space.

Signs of the medieval style:

• Clean, uncluttered space
• natural wood
• iconic furniture
• designed by medieval designers, graphic patterns
• organic shapes

This style is suitable for: modern, industrial, Scandinavian

Farmhouse

What: The farmhouse style pays homage to the simplicity of local country architecture, while incorporating modern comforts. Industrious furniture and natural textiles are very functional, creating an easy (and functional) look to live in, no matter where your interpretation of the look falls from rural to modern.

Source: Each region has its own unique farmhouse style, but the common denominator is a practical approach to design that focuses on function over form. It’s good to know: when we talk about farmhouse style today, we’re really talking about modern farmhouse style – trying to recreate an accurate historical farmhouse would be a completely different task. Whether the pieces you choose are old or new, the main idea is that they have the same practical, simple aesthetic.

Features of the farmhouse style:

• Simple and functional furniture
• wall panels
• Sliding barn doors
• Natural and historical colors such as wheat gold, sage green and robin egg blue
• Imperfect and rusty finishes

This style is suitable for pairing: modern, rustic, industrial, transitional

Rustic Style

What: Inspired by woods, plains, rivers and lakes, the rustic style can be as simple and minimalist as a single cabin or as stunning as a ski lodge perched on a mountainside. The materials are primitive and pure, with exposed wooden beams, bricks, and stones; large and comfortable furniture; and warm and cozy textiles.

Its origins: Rustic style embracing the natural beauty of the outdoors and homes traditionally located in wilderness areas – cabins, stone cottages, and rustic ranch homes. It’s worth mentioning: while rustic style is inspired by the past, today’s interpretations can embody modernity with more streamlined furniture, depending on your design sensibilities.

Features of the pastoral style:

• Coarsely chiseled wood
• Natural tones
• Weathered materials such as loose-edge wood, heavy beams, leather, stone, brick, copper, and slate
• Sturdy furniture
• Comfortable and warm touch, including fireplace, upholstered armchairs and comfortable textiles

This style goes well with: farmhouse, traditional, modern, industrial

Industrial Style

What it is: This style is often found in urban lofts and remodeled industrial spaces, and can be created through the use of industrial finishes and décor, no matter where you live. There is no doubt that the industrial style is gritty, but the ultimate goal is to find beauty and creativity in raw materials and open spaces.

Source: The industrial style draws inspiration from factories and warehouses, where the furniture is functional and tough, and the materials are primitive.

It’s worth mentioning: industrial-style homes have so much metal and open space that they can be at risk of feeling cold. Make sure your space feels welcoming with decorations that add texture and warmth, such as white silk bulbs, potted plants, and candles.

Features of the industrial style:

• Recycled and found elements are used as decorations
• Simple anchor furniture
• Plenty of open space
• Bare raw materials such as concrete floors, brick walls, and steel support beams
• Neutral color palette

This style is suitable for: modern, rustic, farmhouse, medieval

Mediterranean style

What it is: Mediterranean-style spaces can be cool and breezy or rich and warm, reminiscent of sun-drenched land and sparkling waters. Key elements to look for include sleek, cool white stucco, dark wood beams, rich textiles, and intricate tiles.

Its origins: The style originated in countries in the Mediterranean region – including Spain, Greece, Italy, France, and Morocco, among others – and the style is as diverse as its birthplace.

It’s worth mentioning: while traditional Mediterranean spaces tend towards warm tones and heavy wrought iron details, today’s iterations often take a more relaxed approach, offsetting the abundance of tiles and natural wood with plenty of white space.

Features of the Mediterranean style:

• Colored tiles
• A rich, earthy color palette
• Sturdy, classic furniture
• Natural materials such as wood, brick and stone
• Decorative details such as wood carvings, painted ceramics and patterned textiles

This style is suitable for: traditional, coastal

Scandinavian Style

What it is: Scandinavian style is characterized by bright, bright spaces and furnishings with clean lines, bold patterns, and warmth and comfort.

Origins: The Scandinavian style originated in northern countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and Norway in the early to mid-20th century. As the modernist movement flourished in Western Europe, Scandinavia perfected its aesthetic: simplicity, minimalism, lightness, and a connection to nature.

It’s worth noting: unlike strictly modern spaces, Scandinavian-style interiors tend to include a more eclectic mix of vintage and modern pieces and a more playful attitude.

Signs of the Scandinavian style:

• Light-toned color palette
• A mixture of old and new
• Iconic furniture by Scandinavian designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner and Verner Panton
• Clean and tidy
• Natural materials and textures

This style is suitable for pairing: modern, mid-century style

Coastal Style

What’s it: Simply put, the coastal style is inspired by the beach. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation, but the essential elements are plenty of light, natural materials, a breezy space and a casual feel. Covered furniture, woven décor and the colors of the sea and sky create a relaxing atmosphere with a wide appeal.

Source: Coastal Style comes in a variety of versions, depending on the area of the coastline you are inspired by (or live in) nearby. The coastal style of navigation is particularly relevant to regions with a long seafaring history, such as New England, such as Nantucket and Cape Cod. Inspired by turquoise waters and lush flora? A laid-back tropical coastal style might suit you.

Good to know: you don’t need to live by the sea to create a coastal style! It’s all about embracing the vibe of coastal life and not necessarily living in a real beach house.

Features of the coastal style:

• whitewashed surface
• Bare wooden floors
• Natural materials such as seaweed, jute, wicker, rattan, flax and cotton
• Furniture designed for relaxation, such as sectional sofas, hanging chairs, and relaxed and lively furniture sets
• The colours are inspired by the coast

This style is suitable for pairing: traditional, transitional, modern, Mediterranean

Eclectic

What it is: Eclectic styles are carefully planned and carefully combined, blending pieces from multiple styles and eras to create a completely personalized look. Eclectic styles are not bound by rules and conventions, but are free to explore any area of the design world that appeals to you, from funky vintage pieces to cutting-edge contemporary designs and everything in between.

Where it comes from: Architects and designers have a long history of blending styles from the past to create something new, and today there are more materials to choose from than ever before.

It is worth mentioning that the juxtaposition of old and new, traditional and modern, makes the eclectic space truly come alive. Furniture is often mismatched rather than part of a set, with antique furniture mixed in with new furniture and interesting items.

Features of the eclectic style:

• Layered textiles
• A confident palette
• Selected collections
• A bold statement piece
• The juxtaposition of different styles