Your home is an expression of yourself. The interior design of your home should match your personality, style and character.
There are a variety of different styles you can use within your home.
Being able to readily identify each style can also help you define your own personal style and seek out more of what you gravitate toward.
It can also give you permission to mix and match depending on your intuition and sensibilities, and throw those labels to the wind if that's what your personal style demands.
Minimalism the true "less is more" design philosophy delivers a big impact with bright, clean spaces that keep clutter at a minimum and often have a hyper-restrained color palette of muted neutrals or pure black and white.
Think simplicity, refinement, and a deft hand at sumptuous comfort and functionality.
The key here is to keep rooms spare and well-edited with printless fabrications and décor extras that must serve a dual purpose.
One of the most thoroughly modern interior design styles to consider, people often tend to confuse minimalism with a stark coldness and uncomfortable severity – which is hardly the case at all.
In fact, there's even a warmer take on minimal interior design (warm minimalism) that's full of no-fuss, clean elegance.
When thinking minimal interior design styles trends, think of a modern art gallery or museum as a reference with their pulled together approach to filling a space with the barest of essentials that still feature a lively sense of drama either organic or abstract.
The minimalist concept is one that's popular here in Australia. It takes notions of modern design and simplifies them further.
Colour palettes are neutral and airy; furnishings are simple and streamlined, and nothing is excessive or flamboyant in accessories or décor.
Minimalism is ultimately defined by a sense of functionality and ultra-clean lines.
Contemporary homes feature clean lines, a deliberate use of texture and a modern look that doesn't feel trendy or risk quickly going out of style.
Many people imagine contemporary interiors as being sleek and cool, but there are actually many types of contemporary spaces.
Contemporary rooms usually contain an element of surprise, and those who like their homes to make artistic statements often lean toward a contemporary aesthetic.
Contemporary design is constantly changing.
Unlike other styles which are more or less set in stone what's of the moment today may change in a few years' time.
Today, the look is defined by curved lines, neutral colours and minimalism, but it may look slightly different in the future.
Though people often tend to confuse modern interior design styles with contemporary interior design, there is a difference between the two that makes them unique in and of themselves.
Contemporary style is completely of the moment while modern interior design styles can almost mean anything forward-thinking from the 50's to the early aughts.
Contemporary interior design styles trends also have more freedom as modern is usually fixed around squared, graphic lines and a particular take on modernity.
Contemporary is different from modern because it describes design based on the here and now.
Contemporary on the other hand, is more fluid and can represent a sense of currency with less adherence to one particular style.
Scandinavian Increasingly popular,
Scandinavian interior design styles emphasize a clean and serene simplicity that's universal in appeal. Fully functional and minimal to a degree.
Scandinavian décor highlights organic shapes with subtle interest, tonal textural plays, and a relaxed appeal in all-white spaces with gray undertones. Hints of color are brought in via art and a single textile such as a small throw or rug.
Scandinavian interior design is all about a balanced and carefully edited mix of elements.
Scandanavian design pays homage to the simplicity of life demonstrated in Nordic countries.
Scandinavian furniture design often feels like a work of art, although it is simple and understated. There's functionality in the furniture along with some interesting lines, many of which have a sculptural influence.
Common characteristics include all-white colour palettes and the incorporation of natural elements like form-pressed wood, bright plastics, and enameled aluminum, steel and wide plank flooring.
If there are pops of colour it often comes from the use of art, natural fibre throws or furs, or a single piece of furniture.
Spacious, natural lighting, less accessories and functional furniture characterizes Scandinavian designs.
One of the key features of Scandinavian style is the concept of hygge, a Danish term which loosely means cosiness. It's the idea of treasuring the simple things in life and creating a sense of warmth within the home.
Scandinavian style has a particular flair for affordable, functional furniture, made using natural materials and traditional craftsmanship, and it is at the heart of Scandi style.
If you're after a simple but cosy house interior style, consider Scandinavian.
Industrial style as the name implies, draws inspiration from a warehouse or an urban loft.
Industrial as the name evokes an urban vibe with warehouse and factory elements thrown in the mix, it should come as no surprise that industrial interior design practices lend a clean, somewhat masculine and minimal spirit to any room.
Think a neutral color scheme, reclaimed machinery, moody hues, raw woods and unfinished metals, and ultimately, statement-making throwbacks with a slightly steampunk feel.
This is one aesthetic that calls for plenty of breathing room to take in the often oversized machinery inspired elements.
However, you can inject small doses of the design movement when looking at industrial interior design styles living room by incorporating raw metal decorative extras say on a bookshelf here, or a in small nook there.
There's a sense of unfinished rawness in many of the elements, and it's not uncommon to see exposed brick, ductwork and wood.
An iconic home with an industrial design theme would be a renovated loft from a former industrial building.
Think high ceilings, old timber and dangling metal light fixtures with sparse functional furniture. There may possibly be one or two pieces of abstract art or photography to add a dash of colour to an otherwise neutral colour scheme derived from the primary materials of wood and metals.
An urban look with an edge, industrial is characterised by raw textures, exposed elements and metal fixtures and finishes. Think of classic warehouse apartments in New York with stripped timber floorboards or concrete floors, exposed brick walls and utilitarian materials.
A rustic finish is a key feature of the industrial decorating style, with reclaimed wood, layers of chipped paint and salvaged pieces of furniture.
A key feature of most industrial-inspired and warehouse homes is a minimal and often very neutral base colour palette, with colour added in the form of accents like artwork, tapware, textiles, rugs and crockery.
Try sticking to a base palette of different shades of greys, from light to gunmetal, black and white accents warmed up with wood and warm tones from brick and leather. You can then layer in colour in other ways.
Modern is a broad design term that typically refers to a home with clean, crisp lines, a simple colour palette and the use of materials that can include metal, glass and steel.
Modern design employs a sense of simplicity in every element, including furniture.
A word that's commonly used to describe modern style is sleek, and there is not a lot of clutter or accessories involved with a modern style.
Coastal style also dubbed Hamptons style, hails from the iconic U.S. beachside area.
Common features include light, airy colour palettes with cool neutral shades paired with blues and greens.
Furnishings are often white or beige. The room can contain elements of wood and accessories are often inspired by the sea.
Blue and white striped patterns for pillows, large windows, white plush sofas, and painted white wood are also common fixtures of the classic Coastal/Hampton style.
The intention is to create a relaxed and comfortable environment that is inspired by the beach and ocean.
A hugely popular interior decorating style in Australia, classic Hamptons style embraces a fresh, airy palette and natural textures.
The decorating style is inspired by the architecture and decorating of holiday homes and buildings in the luxury seaside communities along the eastern beaches of upstate New York's neighbouring Long Island.
White and blue are key colours in Hamptons-style interiors, together with key elements such as well-positioned windows to optimise cross-ventilation, plantation shutters, nautical-style décor, timber floorboards and timber moulding along hallways and staircases.
In the kitchen, white kitchen cabinetry dominates, with open shelving or glass paned doors. Marble or light-coloured engineered stone is the main choice for benchtops.
These 6 designs should give you a start when designing the interior of your home. Be guided by what appeals to you, your tastes, your character and personality and you can't go wrong.
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