What’s your Interior Design Style?
Wether you want to hire a designer or you decide to go it alone, the first thing you must determine is what your design style is. Why? Because, it you miss this important step you could make some costly mistakes by buying items that do not work together. Knowing your style will help you shop for furnishings and accessories, but also will determine how you renovate and choose materials even colors and patterns.
I’ve personally determined that my style is Traditional/Transitional/Coastal. I love antiques and try to incorporate them in most spaces and also love colors, however, I love neutrals and using black and white and usually include some modern elements in my spaces, however, I also love blue and white, seagrass, and rattan. I know, it’s a lot. The truth is…everyone has their own specific style and very rarely does anyone match it 100%.
If you are hiring a designer to create your space, it is important to keep in mind their design style. Every designer has their own personal style, and typically this is what they do best! This doesn’t mean that a designer cannot pull off any style, we are educated in all styles. It just means that they have an eye specifically for their own preferred style. They know how to put it together usually pretty effortlessy and they get it right. When hiring a designer, look at their social media and website. There you can very quickly determine if your styles match. If you like their photos and the work they’ve done, then they’re probably a good match.
Here, I’ve narrowed it down to the main design styles and included some links to design style quizzes which are fun to take too. Once you’ve determined what your style is, you also have to take into account what your home’s style is. What I mean by this is, where do you live? What age is your home? What kind of floor plan do you have? What are your interests and hobbies?
If you live in a coastal home, you cannot decorate in a rustic mountain style. It just doesn’t make sense. Conversely, if you live on a farm you cannot decorate in an ultra-modern style, but you can do a modern farmhouse. See? It can get complicated.
Coastal Modern Farmhouse
I live in Colorado, but not in the mountains. Colorado interior design encompasses many styles, most notably Rustic (if in the mountains), Modern Farmhouse (also every part of the US sees some of this), Craftsman, and Urban Rustic. I live in a newer build, cookie cutter, in the suburbs. If I could live anywhere, it would be the beach. Yep, this makes it tough. I cannot decorate my home with seashells, although I’ve tried. (eeek!) This is why I desperately need a beach house!!! What I can do is incorporate some coastal elements here and there. A lot of the wall art I have includes birds. Coastal areas have beautiful birds like large cranes, but guess what? So does Colorado. I also focus on textures like linens, basketweaves, and seagrass. Those materials can be used no matter where you live. Another thing I love to do is incorporate live plants and flowers indoors which can give a cold mountain setting some warmth and nature in the wintertime.
Mountain Modern
Traditional
Traditional can include lots of elements. Traditional is typically what you will find most common in history when you think of interiors. Antiques are often used and wood tones are used throughout in darker stains. Floral patterns and formal window treatments are common. You see oil paintings and chandeliers and classic style furniture. Traditional is common in most geographical areas, does not focus on trends, and will forever look beautiful and timeless.
Sometimes, we have a subcategory. Introducing…Grandmillenial. It is traditional with a granny chic, colorful, heavily patterned vibe. It’s a newer style that I love. Scalloped edges, chinoiserie, antiques, animal prints, and color. Did I mention color?
2. Transitional
Transitional is traditional meets modern. Transitional still includes some traditional elements like darker wood tones but incorporates modern ones by going with more neutral color palettes and blacks and whites. Iron and glass are typically brought in and you’ll see more square furniture rather than curved edges.
3. Modern Farmhouse
This one has taken some heat lately. It is still a very popular style brought to the spotlight by Fixer Upper on HGTV a few years back. People were drawn to the grays and whites with a clean look while still having some country character. Listen, this style is wildly popular and I don’t see it going out anytime soon. Bring on the black and white, shiplap, and rustic beams. Ok, I’m a little tired of shiplap, but I do like some nice paneling. The thing about this style that is out is the overly used farm details when you don’t live on a farm. For instance, galvanized metal buckets and signs that say “fresh eggs”. If you have this stuff, get rid of it now! If you want a modern farmhouse, keep it modern. Black and white with rustic character. For the love of God, no words, please.
4. Coastal
Rattan, blue and white, seagrass, driftwood. Love. Mostly because of the textures, which you can incorporate into any style. Just don’t use seashells, anchors, whales, and fish everywhere. Keep it classy, no themes and you’re good. If you live anywhere on the coast, it’s a no brainer…your style is coastal.
5. French Country
Country meets European. There is some element of shabby chic, which became popular about 20 yrs ago. It’s rustic, but in a very dainty, feminine way. Lots of curvature in furniture and detail, florals, antiques and feminine, light prints.
6. Scandinavian/Hygge
This style is the next one to gain popularity after Modern Farmhouse. There are many furnishings stores that carry this sort of style recently. It is defined by curves, neutral and earthy tones, simple and natural decor. It has a very comfortable and liveable feel.
7. Boho
Boho is defined by an eclectic mix of nature, color, and pattern. It’s kind of the hippie style of the 2020s. It’s comfortable and curated and unique. Macrame, beads, pillows, plants, bright colors, and comfort are all things boho.
