your guide to the most popular interior design styles and how to combine styles

The world of interior design styles is ever-changing, with new styles and trends emerging constantly. This guide aims to help you discover your preferred style and provide tips on how to incorporate it into your home. Whether you gravitate towards a specific style or find yourself drawn to various elements from different styles, this guide will provide you with all the information you need. Moreover, it will show you how to blend different styles harmoniously to create a cohesive look.

What goes in this guide:

• transitional
• japandi
• traditional
• contemporary
• modern organic
• mid-century modern
• scandinavian
• tudor
• coastal

Welcome, my dear interior design enthusiasts, to the year 2023, where we have compiled a list of the most popular and enduring interior design styles that will stand the test of time. This guide will help you to recognize your unique style, providing you with the confidence to incorporate them into your own home!

Here’s the secret: you’re able to combine various design styles seamlessly, creating a space that brings you endless joy. So let’s dive in and uncover your perfect home!

how to combine interior design styles

• identify your styles
• create a color Palette
• integrate your styles equally
• give objects a focal point
• balance visual weight

interior design styles

With these interior design styles gaining widespread popularity, it can be challenging to distinguish between them and avoid mixing them up. I am here to guide you through the characteristics and features of each style, allowing you to identify and understand them better. By doing so, you can gain clarity on your personal style preferences and create a space that truly reflects your taste. So let’s unravel the mystery of these styles and find your perfect match!

• transitional
• japandi
• traditional
• contemporary
• modern organic
• mid-century modern
• scandinavian
• tudor
• coastal

transitional

This design approach is all about breaking free from the traditional rules and embracing artistic experimentation. Think oil on canvas artworks paired with a combination of both formal and informal furniture pieces. While modern design may be sleek, this approach aims to bring in more texture and depth to the space. You can expect a mix of antique and vintage lighting fixtures in this style, which is often seen in historic houses that retain their unique character. With an emphasis on colors, patterns, textures, antiques, and modern heirlooms, the space is welcoming and reflective of your way of living. To add some extra elegance, touches of marble and curves are incorporated.

Pro-tip: taking a modern piece and combining it with a traditional fabric or color achieves that perfect balance.

japandi

The fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design principles creates a clean and minimalist aesthetic that emphasizes wood and light colors. In this approach, simplicity and functionality take center stage, with less furniture being more. This minimalist approach creates an open floor plan, allowing for a tranquil atmosphere. Natural materials such as wood, stone, bamboo, and linen are commonly used to add warmth and texture to the space, creating a connection to nature. To enhance this connection, it’s essential to keep your windows unobstructed and allow ample natural light to flow in. Adding screens and paper lanterns will give your space an authentic touch, bringing the best of both worlds together.

traditional

The grand and elegant style of Georgian and Victorian architecture is a timeless classic that will never go out of fashion. With a playful and confident use of color, antiques, and investment pieces, this style exudes sophistication. Charming window nooks and classic fabric choices add to the timeless appeal, creating a space that evolves over time. This style often incorporates lots of patterns and textures to add depth and interest. Since the interior is typically not an open floor plan, each room has its own unique character. Whether it’s a bold wallpaper or a statement rug, this style is all about adding charm to every corner of the space.

contemporary

This design style is all about embracing the mild climate and panoramic views to create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. With a focus on creating a calming and serene environment, the space exudes warmth and sophistication. The color scheme is simple, yet luxurious, with solid colors that are neutral and muted, accented by pops of color. Low-profile furniture allows the artwork and sculptural elements to take center stage. The key to achieving elegance in this style is through architectural details, such as wood paneling, which should be emphasized and kept minimal. While patterns are not off-limits, they should be very muted and neutral to avoid detracting from the architectural elements.

modern organic

This style is a beautiful blend of modern and bohemian elements. It features clean lines, neutral colors, and a warm, earthy feel with beige and yellow undertones. The textures are very organic, with wrinkly linen and natural shapes, along with plenty of plants to bring the outside in. The space transitions seamlessly from inside to outside, with statement pieces that draw the eye, while modern elements remain prominent. Limewashed walls and layered textures, such as a jute rug, create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Wood and fabrics are used to add warmth to the space and create a relaxing, comfortable vibe. This style is all about combining the best of both worlds to create a space that feels both modern and cozy, with plenty of earthy textures and natural elements to ground the design.

mid-century modern

This style takes inspiration from the 50s and focuses on clean lines, sleek seating, and wood paneling. There’s a strong emphasis on the outdoor connection, with the flexibility to seamlessly blend the inside and outside spaces. The overall vibe is very casual and simple, with exposed beams and brick often celebrated as part of the structure. The furniture is angular and iconic, with plenty of luxurious wood tones that are dark and rich. You’ll often see exposed wooden legs on chairs and sofas. In terms of color, mid-century modern style favors greens, oranges, and yellows, which gives the space an optimistic feeling. Graphic and geometric patterns are common, along with bold prints for added drama through art and fabrics. This style is all about keeping things sleek and simple while adding in pops of color and pattern to make a statement.

scandinavian

This style is all about simplicity and practicality with soft curves. Good lighting is key to create a welcoming and bright space, so make sure to leave those windows uncovered. Furniture has a minimal and sleek design, similar to mid-century modern pieces, with plenty of wooden legs, but the fabrics used are usually neutral. The walls are painted in clean white, grey, beige, or wood, with minimal use of patterns and colors. Geometric shapes and textures like linen and sheepskin can add a cozy touch. Bringing in plants and textiles can create a sense of warmth and comfort, which can help balance the stark and clean architectural space.

tudor

This style embraces the architectural intricacies outside and reflects a modern and sensitive vibe inside. It celebrates heritage with an eclectic mix of imperfectly perfect decor that complements modern-day living. The rustic beams and wooden features are paired with traditional-style furniture and patterned upholstery. The decor is not overly ornate but still retains its character. The color scheme is soft and neutral with warm tones that evoke a cozy and inviting ambiance, often with a lot of cream. Pastel shades are preferred over saturated colors, and heavy and intricate patterns are featured in the curtains.

coastal

This style aims to create a home that exudes a vacation vibe with bright whites and soothing blue tones. The architectural elements that are incorporated are distressed wooden beams that add character to the space. The furniture is casual and relaxed, featuring white slipcover sofas, cotton or linen pillows, light-colored finishes, and wooden accents. The color palette is mostly neutral with touches of blue. Stripes and jute rugs add a nautical feel while accessories bring in textures. The materials used are easy to clean and the overall ambiance is light and warm with natural textures and materials.

summary

After identifying the design style that appeals to you, it’s time to create your preferred color palette. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, limit yourself to a maximum of five colors. You can add interest and texture later on. Keeping it minimal can help you avoid cluttering your space with too many colors that clash. Make sure to integrate and balance the two styles equally. Create focal points that represent your style and give character to your space. Finally, balance the visual weight of your furniture to create a harmonious and cohesive look.

Disclosure: I May Receive Affiliate Compensation For Some Of The Links Below At No Cost To You If You Decide To Purchase A Paid Plan. You Can Read Our Affiliate Disclosure In Our Privacy Policy. This Site Is Not Intending To Provide Financial Advice. This Is For Entertainment Only.