One of the things I love about interior design is how each individual expresses their taste in their own home. While many of us identify with a certain design style, often times we incorporate aspects of many different types of design in our homes. Sometimes we get hung up on which direction to pursue and I find that establishing a design style helps to start the process. Each of these unique design trends has certain characteristics but these can change over time and we adapt along the way using our own interpretations of these looks.

Coastal

Coastal design encompasses the breeziness of the beach. You will find a lot of neutral tones with pops of soft greens, blues and yellows. Coastal design incorporates a lot of texture using natural elements and wood tones. If you are looking to use pattern in this style, stripes are always a winner. Overall, these spaces tend to have a lot of natural light and should feel soothing and relaxing.

Traditional

Traditional design comes to us from Eighteenth and Nineteenth century European decor. There are many warm colors, deep wood tones, and complex patterns used in these homes. You will find rich fabrics like velvets, silks and brocades on chairs and sofas with wingbacks, tufting and piping. In this style, there is depth in the layers of each room and lots of dimension overall.

Transitional

This is one of the most popular design styles because it is a mix of old and new (traditional and modern). This style is timeless because it is simple yet sophisticated. Here you will find mostly neutral colors with soft pops of color. Transitional homes have the cleaner lines of modern aesthetic without loosing all of the traditional details. In my opinion, this is a great happy-median design style.

Contemporary

Contemporary style homes have a simple yet subtle sophistication. These homes have clean, straight lines and a quiet drama. Less is more here. You will see minimal and serene architectural elements paired with bold scale and sleek furnishings. In contemporary homes there are no unnecessary details.

Scandinavian

Scandinavian design originated in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. This is one of my personal favorite design styles because there are clean, simple lines and these homes incorporate functionality without sacrificing beauty. There is more texture and pattern in this trend than contemporary design. Wide plank wood floors in lighter tones are used in these spaces along with neutral colors and pops of black. Scandinavian homes are cozy with warm, inviting textiles, simple accents and live greenery.

Eclectic

Eclectic design is so much fun because it embraces a variety of periods of design history. These unique spaces are brought together with color, texture, shape and finish. When you have a juxtaposition of textures and contrasting colors, harmony is key. In this design style you can play with lots of different patterns and colors. You will find lots of unique artwork in eclectically designed rooms. There are no rules when it comes to this style but don’t get too busy with your design or your space will become haphazard and you won’t be able to appreciate the design.

Industrial

If you are going for an industrial design style, think of a warehouse or an old factory. Many of these spaces have bare bricks, metals, and raw woods paired with salvaged materials. The whole idea here is to have stripped back architectural details. This style contains mostly neutral colors and you will find lots of leather, distressed wood and exposed ceilings. Industrial spaces are normally wide open with lots of large windows and statement light fixtures.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern has roots in Germany but came to America through Bauhaus style. In this style, form follows function and functionality is key. You will find minimalistic design, free of clutter, with sleek lines and organic forms. Mid-Century Modern homes have limited ornamentation with lots of wood tones paired with metals and glass. There are a variety of fun colors in this style and normally you will see some retro artwork. One of the giveaways of this style is the tapered peg legs on the furniture.

Modern Farmhouse

This design trend became popular when Joanna Gaines appeared on HGTV’s Fixer Upper. This style is a balance of rural and refined. Modern Farmhouse works for people who enjoy casual living, neutral color schemes, and lots of texture. This design style isn’t as rustic as traditional farmhouse design because there are clean lines, open concept kitchens and live greenery. Here you will find exposed wood, shiplap, distressed decor pieces and repurposed materials.

Rustic

Rustic design contains raw, natural wood and unfinished elements. This style aims to bring the outdoors in through rugged, natural beauty and aged richness. Rustic homes tend to have vaulted ceilings with beams, stone or brick elements, and darker tones and finishes. These spaces are warm and inviting and have that ‘lodge’ feel. There are subtle hues in this style with a lot of texture and handmade, reclaimed pieces.