Your Cheat Sheet: 5 Popular Interior Design Styles Explained

Beyond bricks and mortar, your home is a blend of aesthetics and functionality that makes your everyday living easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of minimalism, the charm of a country cottage, or the chic allure of modernism, your choices of furniture, colours, textures, and accents all come together to create a harmonious space. While there are many interior design styles out there, today we will talk about the five most popular styles and how you can achieve the perfect look.

Minimalist

This particular interior design style has garnered a rather large following over the last few years. It is both ascetic and aesthetically pleasing in the sense that following this decor style requires you to downsize your belongings so that your space has little to no clutter. The principle of downsizing also originates from a deeper notion of each item in your home serving a purpose, whether it’s comfort or beauty. It is the epitome of “less is more”, embracing simplicity and functionality. Opt for a neutral colour palette with white, grey, and beige tones. Select furniture with clean lines and minimal or simple designs while favouring quality over quantity. Maintain open and uncluttered surfaces, and invest in smart storage options so all items in your home have a home.

Japandi

A blend of Japanese and Scandinavian design, this design style merges two cultural aesthetics that share a centralized theme of nature and simplicity. It combines the clean lines and simplicity of Japanese design with the warmth and comfort of Scandinavian aesthetics. Achieving this design style involves a balanced use of natural materials like wood and stone, a neutral colour palette with subtle contrasts, and a focus on functionality and craftsmanship. Opt for furniture with clean, uncomplicated designs and incorporate cozy textiles like wool and linen for added comfort. If you’re a fan of minimalist design but are looking for something a little softer, this style’s infusion of warmth and hygge might be a better match.

Industrial

The industrial style originated from industrial buildings and factories being converted into lofts and apartments. It aims at enhancing the raw aesthetic of the building to achieve a unique look. While elements like exposed brick walls, concrete floors, pipes, and structural beams can give an authentic look, they’re not necessary to achieve this style. Opt for a colour palette dominated by darker tones like grays, blacks, and earthy tones. Add large comfortable sofas, a big coffee table, a patterned rug, and an accent chair to make it look rugged and warm at the same time. For lighting, think of exposed bulbs with filaments or a large arched floor lamp in a chrome finish. To complement this style add retro, street, or urban artwork like buildings, bridges, or comic-strip style without a frame. Remember that this style is a balanced blend of rugged materials and warm elements!

Mediterranean

If you have a place that gets plenty of sunlight and you want to embrace the warmth, this is the perfect choice for you. Mediterranean design style takes inspiration from countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea such as Spain, Greece, and Italy. Achieving this look involves embracing warm, earthy tones like terracotta, ochre and azure blues. Incorporate natural materials like stone, wood, and clay tiles for flooring. Furniture often features ornate details and wrought iron accents. For walls, think of colourful mosaic tiles to add character and a splash of colour. Add Mediterranean plants like lavender, rosemary, and agave. By combining these elements, you can create a Mediterranean-inspired interior that exudes warmth, comfort, and a relaxed coastal ambiance.

Country Cottage

Although this started as a trend to capture the charm of a small rural town, it has since turned into something more than just a design fad. It appreciates and compliments a way of living based on comfort and personal expression. It involves embracing a mix of vintage and rustic elements. Incorporate soft, muted colour palettes with shades of white, cream, and pastels. Opt for furniture with a vintage aesthetic, timeless pieces made with solid wood, floral patterned couches, and classic upholstery. You can also hang artwork or family pictures with golden frames, and add vintage vases with colourful flowers to complete the look. If you have high ceilings, you can go the extra mile and add mid-century hanging lighting fixtures!

Whichever design style you choose for your home, be sure to have fun throughout this exciting and rewarding journey of making your space feel more like ‘you’! And you can always get in touch with our design experts to curate your dream space for you.