When decorating any space in your home, you want the finished project to reflect your style and personality. There are many interior design styles with unique features, finishes and tastes that can inspire you. Terms like "contemporary," "industrial" or "Scandinavian" are just some of the popular styles used by decorators today. To help you decide which one best expresses you, we've compiled a list of the ten most popular design styles and explained the elements of each.

We recommend learning about the elements of each style and how they differ from each other. You can always combine separate elements from different styles to create a unique look that expresses you. Home decor magazines and social platforms like Pinterest are great sources of inspiration to get you started.

Contemporary

Contemporary design style is constantly evolving, but is generally characterized by clean lines and minimalist furniture. This style is ideal for those who want a modern look that is elegant and sophisticated.

Furniture in a modern home is stylish and practical with clean, defined structure and exposed legs. Fixtures feature metal elements that can be abstract in design with a preference for one or two showy elements. This style also incorporates stainless steel, wood and large, dramatic plants in simple containers.

Contemporary design favors neutral color palettes that incorporate shades of white, neutral colors like beige or gray, and dark colors for contrast. To achieve this look, use smooth surfaces, natural materials and open spaces accented with large abstract works, wood paneling and well-crafted pieces.

Traditional

The traditional design is inspired by the classic style of the past. This style often features carved woodwork, ornate details and rich fabrics. The furniture and decor are usually expensive and luxurious, making this style ideal for those who want a high-end look in their home.

Although inspired by more classic European design styles, traditional does not mean outdated. It brings comfort and intimacy that makes every space welcoming and warm. The furniture is elegant, heavy and upholstered, often using floral patterns and dark wood finishes such as maple, cherry or mahogany. Think claw foot sofas, gold and silver accessories, crown moldings, balans and columns.

Symmetry is a common theme in traditional style. Harmony, order and consistency are prominent in room design, organized around a central feature such as the fireplace. There's an element of predictability and comfort that make it a classic style that never goes out of style.

Industrial

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The industrial design style is characterized by exposed brick, pipes and concrete ceilings. Industrial elements can add a special feel to any room, making this style ideal for those who want a modern or contemporary look. This look is often achieved by incorporating vintage or recycled pieces into the space.

Reminiscent of old industrial factories and warehouses, this look favors style and utility, emphasizing open spaces, natural color palettes and a sense of raw atmosphere. This style is usually seen in warehouse conversions and lofts, but the industrial design elements can be applied to any area of ​​the home. Open-concept designs furnished with recycled and salvaged pieces, minimalist functional furniture, metal fixtures and large abstract artworks are the hallmarks of this look.

Plants, bold accent colors, and a mix of texture and materials can add a softer touch to this design. Cage lighting, bare Edison bulbs, and large metal dome pendant lights are great choices for lighting industrial design spaces, providing a modern version of factory lights.

Minimalistic

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Minimalist design is all about simplicity. This style often features neutral colors, clean lines and lots of open space. Furniture is usually minimalist, with few decorations or accessories. If you are looking for a sleek and modern look, then the minimalist design is perfect for you.

The minimalism movement inspired this design in the 1960s and 70s and focused on efficiency above all else. Minimalist interiors are devoid of clutter, devoid of decorative elements and eliminate distractions to maximize visual impact. With an emphasis on functionality and space, the furniture often incorporates hidden storage spaces and uses wood, marble, concrete and metal in the design.

This stripped back, basic aesthetic was designed to make spaces feel larger and less busy. Although the practical nature of this design may not suit everyone, many of the features can be incorporated into other styles that don't shy away from embellishment

Boho

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Bohemian design is all about creativity and self-expression. This style is often characterized by bright colors, eclectic furniture and lots of patterns and textures. Bohemian spaces are usually very welcoming and inviting, making them ideal for those who want to create a warm and inviting space.

Bohemian interiors are eclectic in design with lots of layering, jewel tones and vintage pieces. The emphasis here is on unique pieces and works of art. It's a fun and carefree style that incorporates plants, rugs, wicker furniture, macrame and flea market finds.

The Boho aesthetic is all about mismatched pieces, comfort and fun. Large floor cushions, hanging chairs, worn furniture, woven baskets, rattan and statement chandeliers bring this look to life. Ceramics, mismatched frames, wall hangings and handcrafts are commonly used to decorate these spaces.

Scandinavian

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The Scandinavian design style is inspired by the minimalism of the Scandinavian countries. This style is often characterized by light wood, light walls and lots of natural light. Furniture is usually simple and functional with clean lines and minimalistic accessories. This style is ideal for those who want to create a calm and peaceful space.

This design places great emphasis on maximizing natural and artificial lighting. Large and uncluttered windows play a key role in letting in as much light as possible. Multiple sources of artificial light are used to create bright and clean spaces.

This style favors white, cream, beige and taupe colors with simple furnishings to keep things airy and light. Scandinavian design creates warm and relaxing spaces that bring the outdoors indoors using natural fabrics, panels and materials. Furniture and accent pieces tend to be easy to find and affordable, making this style widely accessible to everyone.

1950s and 60s

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Mid-century modern design is inspired by the architecture and furniture of the 1950s and 60s. This style often features simple lines, wood accents, and pastel colors. The furniture is often eclectic and unique, making it a great choice for those looking to add some personality to their space.

The post-war German Bauhaus movement inspired this design style. As resources were scarce, designers turned to newly manufactured materials for inspiration. Traditional designs were stripped down to the basics and focused on functionality without frills. They used plastic, vinyl, plywood and wood veneer to create clean lines and simple shapes that could be mass produced and affordable.

Mid-century modern design looks are tapered legs on straight-backed rectangular sofas that have clean and sleek straight lines. Hairpin legs on tables and chairs with geographic shapes and sculptural touches. This design favors bright reds, oranges, yellows, earthy browns and greens, which are a great choice for people who love color in their space.

Glam/Hollywood

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Glamorous design style is all about luxury and opulence. This style is often characterized by shiny fabrics, shimmering details and lots of sparkling elements. The furniture is usually very elegant and expensive, making this style ideal for those who want to create a space that exudes sophistication.

In glam, more is more. Influenced by 1930s Hollywood luxury, this style is the opposite of minimalism. There is a lot of sparkle and layering of luxurious fabrics. Faux fur, velvet and velvet with dramatic and bold accents such as gold, chrome and mirrors are staples of glam design.

The glam is over the top, from flashy chandeliers to lacquered furniture and metallic finishes. Unlike other styles, here decoration takes center stage, while furniture is scaled and tailored to support the function of the space. The main aim of this style is to maximize the touches, and the bolder the better.

Art Deco

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The Art Deco design style is inspired by the glamor of the 1920s and 1930s. This style often features rich details, shiny fabrics and geometric shapes. The furniture and decorations are usually very expensive and luxurious, making this style ideal for those who want to create a space that exudes sophistication.

The cubism movement inspired Art Deco and there is a strong emphasis on angular patterns mixed with graceful curves. This style incorporates circles, squares and mosaics with velvet, brass, gold, natural stones and jewels to create dramatic spaces. Bold and saturated colors like emerald, ruby ​​and sapphire work well in this aesthetic.

This style is never boring, but consider incorporating certain aspects of this design and mixing them with other styles if it seems a little too much. A combination of black and white elements can add a dramatic contrast favored by this style, while also making it more compatible with others.

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