• Shop Amara
  • Interviews
  • Inspiration
  • News
  • Review
  • How To
  • Subscribe
  • Shop Amara
  • Interviews
  • Inspiration
  • News
  • Review
  • How To
  • Subscribe

Interior Design Styles: The Definitive Guide

07/19/2018
  • shares
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter

Looking to revamp your interior style this year? Not sure where to start? Whether you’re putting the finishing touches to your kitchen, or embarking on an entire first floor renovation, honing in on an interior style can help focus your decor efforts. From Scandi-chic lighting to cool and contemporary furniture, follow our definitive guide to the top interior design styles and get your creative juices flowing. The LuxPad has sourced expert advice from a range of interior professionals to help you stay on track, as well as key pieces that define each interior design style. Don’t miss the links to other brilliant articles at the end of the post for even more interior design style inspiration.

Scandinavian

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Key Features

Inspired by the snow, mountains and fjords of the Nordic countries, Scandi interiors are proving enduringly popular across the globe. This timeless interior style works beautifully in living areas, bedrooms and bathrooms. Layer wools, fabrics and fur onto a glass or wooden framework for an effortlessly cool Nordic interior. Think pared back coziness, clean lines and plenty of texture. It’s time to embrace the Danish concept of hygge – our love affair with Scandi style is set to stay.

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Expert Advice

“We all love the ‘Scandi’ look and for us its about keeping things simple and investing in quality. A great wide board douglas fir floor for example with white walls looks amazing, the pinky wood adds texture and interest. Keep shapes simple and graphic with strong form. Here, (above left) we have kept the palette really natural and just used mint and green to add interest and stop things looking to stark.” Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead, Interior Designers

Get the Scandinavian Look

Product Image
Umbra
Woodrow Storage Stool - White/Natural
Product Image
Marimekko
Rasymatto Duvet Cover - White/Black
Product Image
Nkuku
Indigo Drop Side Plate
Product Image
HAY
Crinkle Bedspread

Eclectic

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Key Features

Eclectic interiors borrow ideas from a range of different periods, styles and trends. Break the rules, have a little fun and inject your personality into your decorating – that’s what the eclectic style is all about. Still, it is important to maintain a sense of balance within your decorating. The very best eclectic interiors are a cohesive blend of old, new, color, texture and pattern.

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Expert Advice

“Eclectic style doesn’t necessarily mean throwing everything you like into one room and calling it a day. Pay attention to how pieces relate to one another and how they relate to the room as a whole. You really should do this with any style but it becomes even more important when you have lots of disparate pieces in one space. You can’t have lots of items just fighting each other for attention – they need to work together, to have some commonalities, to ‘speak’ to each other in some way. Ensure they do this through scale or color or finish for the most successful mix.” Kimberly Duran, Interior Blogger

Get the Eclectic Look

Product Image
A by Amara
Bixbite Pillow - 45x45cm
Product Image
Pendleton
Yuma Star Jacquard Blanket
Product Image
A by Amara
Gallery Tassel Pillow - 35x50cm
Product Image
Broste Copenhagen
Wire Lantern - Champagne

Industrial

Interior Design Styles

Image courtesy of Photographee.eu/stock.adobe.com

Key Features

From steel and stone to bricks and brass – industrial interior style is all about raw, exposed materials. Introduce metal fixtures or stripped back floorboards for a subtle but effective nod to the industrial trend. Statement lights are often a feature of industrial interiors and are particularly important for softening an otherwise cold space. Let your color palette be guided by the raw materials used for a truly authentic industrial look.

Image courtesy of Photographee.eu/stock.adobe.com

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of
Photographee.eu/stock.adobe.com

Expert Advice

“Industrial interiors aren’t precious in the slightest, which means you’ll never feel the need to tiptoe around or be too careful in your home. But remember – this is your home and not a factory. Layer in textiles, art and rugs for a lived-in look that’s inviting to you and your guests. I love to pair a vintage Turkish rug with industrial style lighting & furniture – the contrast makes it interesting!” Natalie Marchbanks, Interior Blogger

Get the Industrial Look

Product Image
Ferm Living
Concrete Pot - Small
Product Image
Seletti
Keytlery Flatware Set - 24 Piece
Product Image
HAY
Black Tray Table

Vintage

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Key Features

Far from old-fashioned, vintage interior styling can be incredibly versatile. Whether you’re after a look that is charming and pretty or retro and edgy, adding some key vintage pieces can help you bring the room together. The best vintage interiors avoid looking overly twee by keeping clutter to a minimum. A vintage cabinet or storage unit is a fabulous way to update your interior in a stylish but practical way. Open shelves allow you to get creative with your styling, and can proudly showcase any books, trinkets or vintage accessories.

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Expert Advice

“The best way to create an inviting home is to mix new furniture with vintage pieces, this is the most effective way to soften the look of new furniture. The perfect way to incorporate a vintage style is to look at the room’s initial color palette and add something extra. It’s best not to use similar materials and finishes but be bold and have something totally different and unique. A vintage piece should never blend in the room but should be a stand-out feature of the room that has the wow factor.” Maurizio Pellizoni, Interior Designer

Get the Vintage Look

Product Image
A by Amara
Luis Stoneware Dinner Plate
Product Image
A by Amara
Escot Applique Pillow
Product Image
Voluspa
Macarons Giant Ice Cream Cone Table Candle - Violet & Honey - 737g

Minimalist

interior design styles

Image courtesy of ArchiVIZ/stock.adobe.com

Key Features

The minimalist trend started in the early twentieth century and continues to pervade many aspects of modern life, interior design included. Initially influenced by the simplicity of Japanese design, minimalism works on the principle that less is more. Minimalist interiors are stripped down to their essential elements and empty space is left to make the design statement. Use color sparingly in minimalist rooms, the idea is not to distract or detract from its simplicity. Black, white and primary colors are often regarded as best for a minimalist space.

Image courtesy of Amara

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Expert Advice

“Minimalist styling is not about creating a cold, hard, empty white box of a home. It is about using simple and natural forms, and taking away layers without losing the aesthetic appeal of the space. The focus is on shape, color and texture, with a minimum of furniture and accessories.” Nicola Holden, Interior Designer

Get the Minimalist Look

Product Image
A by Amara
Grain Towel
Product Image
A by Amara
Velvet Pillow - Beige
Product Image
A by Amara
Egyptian Cotton Duvet Cover - White
Product Image
A by Amara
Broadway Shiny Black Flatware Set

Mid-Century Modern

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Key Features

In the 1950s and ’60s, a post-war America was looking to break traditional design conventions and propel its design industries into the modern era. As a result, the mid-century modern style was born. Characterised by clean, simple lines, pops of blues and greens, and plenty of wood and rusty metals, mid-century modern is a design style with definite staying power. Looking for ways to incorporate the style into your home? Sarah Akwisombe’s top tip is to head to the charity shops. ‘Once you get out of London or bigger cities you’ll find they don’t always appreciate the mid-century modern style that much, so you can find some great lamps, teak furniture and even sofas and armchairs if you look well’, Sarah explains. 

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Image courtesy of Amara

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Expert Advice

“Mid-century modern consistently makes a style statement that’s big on character, contours and colour so sits extremely well within the vibrant, eclectic designs I employ when creating an eco upcycled room; if I’m looking for instant impact, furniture and accessories from the ’50s and ’60s are an obvious choice: who could fail to be stunned by the beauty of a Merrow Associates chromed steel and rosewood sideboard or a statement display of different size and shape, same color retro glass vases” Chris Billinghurst, Eco Chic Interior Decorator

 

Coastal

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Key Features

Traditionally, coastal interiors have centered around the cliché of seaside accessories, nautical motifs and distressed woodwork. Today, the best coastal interiors adopt a more contemporary approach. Subtle nods to seaside living work beautifully without overdoing it. Think natural materials, plenty of glass and breezy white draperies that combine to create a spacious coastal haven. The coastal look is relaxed and unassuming and, when done right, works just as well in a city apartment as it does in a beach-front property.

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of Amara

Expert Advice

“Coastal styling is all about keeping things light and breezy. Set the mood with a palette drawn from sand, shells, sea and sky, layering crisp white rooms with cream, khaki and barely-there blues. If your space is lacking in natural light, consider hanging a mirror opposite a window.” Nicola Holden, Interior Designer

Get the Coastal Look

Product Image
AERIN
Sea Urchin Ceramic Salt & Pepper Shakers
Product Image
Marinette Saint Tropez
Bonifacio Throw
Product Image
Normann Copenhagen
Line Pillow - 45x55cm
Product Image
Marinette Saint Tropez
Fish Serving Dish

Contemporary

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Key Features

The contemporary interior style is current, modern, and constantly evolving. The fluidity of contemporary interior design is particularly exciting – what is considered a contemporary interior now will likely change over the course of the twenty-first century. Today, contemporary interiors feature clean, unadorned spaces. Furniture tends to show exposed legs to create a feeling of space. Metals and glass are popular contemporary materials and intricate details are kept to a minimum. 

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Interior design styles

Image courtesy of A by Amara

Image courtesy of Amara

Expert Advice

“Contemporary decorating, at its best, is all about clean-lined comfort. Those who love this style understand that a home can be both practical and beautiful. That said, contemporary spaces can feel stark and impersonal if you’re not careful. Balance square corners and right angles with curved edges and maximize coziness with plush textures, like velvet & soft linen. I like to include at least one antique or vintage piece of furniture in an otherwise contemporary room to lend it a sense of history and timelessness.” Natalie Marchbanks, Interior Blogger

Get the Contemporary Look

Product Image
A by Amara
Natural Cowhide Rug
Product Image
A by Amara
Hiddenite Candle Holder
Product Image
A by Amara
Sheepskin Stool
Product Image
A by Amara
Addison Porcelain Dinner Plate

Which of the interior design styles are you looking forward to incorporating into your décor this year? Of course, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to interior styling and decorating, though these interior design tips may help. Blend vintage furniture with a modern colour palette or introduce industrial touches into your Scandi-style bedroom – the choice is yours!

Further Inspiration… 

Scandi

11 Decorating Tips to Steal from the Scandinavians

My Scandinavian Home

How to Hygge: Embracing the Cosy Scandi Concept

Eclectic

Understanding Eclectic Style

The Ins and Outs of Eclectic Interior Design

Industrial

Trend: The Industrial Look

Adding an Industrial Edge to your Living Room

How to Get the NYC Loft Look in the Home

Vintage

10 Ideas for Mixing Vintage with Modern

51 Vintage Interior Design Ideas You Need To See

Minimalist

Minimalism in Interior Design: 25 Examples Proving Less is More

Understanding Minimalist Interior Design

Mid-Century Modern

24 Mid-Century Modern Interior Decor Ideas

Why is the World Obsessed With Mid-Century Modern Design?

Coastal

Coastal Homes: 54 Ideas

Coastal Living Interior Trend Guide

Contemporary

Modern vs. Contemporary – What’s The Difference?

12 Contemporary Black and White Interior Designs

How to Incorporate Contemporary Design into the Home

  • shares
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
Share

Inspiration

Jane Pople
Jane has over five years of experience writing about interiors and the design industry. Favoring emerging designers and new talent, she loves interviewing people for The LuxPad. She has a penchant for Scandi & Industrial interior styles and loves leopard print.

Leave A Reply


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Recent Posts

    • 100 Years of Bauhaus: What it is and How It Shaped Today’s Design Industry
      02/20/2019
    • On-Trend Tableware Looks You Need from Royal Crown Derby
      02/19/2019
    • URBAN JUNGLE: Bring The Outside In With Indoor Plant Pots
      02/18/2019
    • Say it With Slogans: Get the Slogan Fashion Trend in the Home
      02/15/2019
    • 10 Top Period Property Renovation and Conversion Tips
      02/14/2019



© Amara - The LuxPad • Privacy Notice | The Home of Luxury Home Fashion - Amara Living Ltd

This site uses cookies to provide you with the best experience. By using Amara, you accept our use of cookies.

There are various ways in which we will process your data, which will be shared with some of our partners. Our privacy policy has more information, including instructions to opt out.

×