Understanding Interior Design Styles: A Comprehensive Guide for Interior Designers

An interior design style is all about the key elements that bring a space to life. Things like colour palettes, materials, furniture, and decor come together to create a unique look that feels both harmonious and thoughtfully put together.

Each design style has its own distinctive traits. For example, minimalist design is defined by clean lines and simplicity, while traditional designs often feature more ornate details and symmetry.

Design styles are shaped by the cultural, historical, and geographical contexts of their time. For example, Scandinavian design draws inspiration from the Nordic region's natural landscapes, while Art Deco embodies the bold glamour and opulence of the early 20th century.

Understanding the history and origins of these styles isn’t just fascinating—it’s the secret to adapting them beautifully for modern spaces. Whether you're creating something timeless or on-trend, it all starts with knowing the story behind the style.

Great books for you to look at: 

“The Interior Design Handbook" by Frida Ramstedt
“Elements of Style: Designing a Home & a Life" by Erin Gates
“Interior Design Since 1900" by Anne Massey
“Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating" by Lauren Liess
"Decorate: 1,000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home" by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick

Contemporary design is ever-evolving, continuously reflecting the latest trends and styles. It is characterised by clean lines, fluid forms, and a thoughtful mix of materials, creating spaces that feel fresh and effortlessly modern.

Key influences on this style include art and design movements, sustainability, and innovation, all of which shape the current design landscape with a strong focus on eco-friendly choices and responsible design. Notable locations that embody this aesthetic include the Nobu Hotel in London and The Line Hotel in Los Angeles.

Prominent designers in this field include Kelly Wearstler and Patricia Urquiola. For further exploration, you might look at books such as Contemporary Interiors by Bianca Bellova, Minimalism and Beyond by Philip Jodidio, and Contemporary Design Review by Marcus Fairs. Visual examples of contemporary design often feature spaces like a modern lobby, which might include a large, open area with geometric squares and soft, flowing arches. These designs are intended to invite relaxation, with ample seating and a welcoming ambiance ideal for social spaces such as hotel lobbies. A large window allows natural light to flood the room, enhancing the airy, modern atmosphere.

Decor Tips: Mix textures, materials, and bold accent colours for a dynamic and on-trend look. Contemporary spaces embrace open-plan layouts and inventive design solutions. 

Traditional design is defined by symmetry, intricate details, rich textures, and classic furnishings, offering timeless elegance and sophistication. It often incorporates ornate mouldings, carved wood, and luxurious fabrics like silk and velvet, evoking the charm of European styles from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Visual representations of traditional design highlight its warm and inviting atmosphere. Imagine a restaurant featuring elegant tables and a small bar serving coffee, illuminated by large square windows that let in natural light. A chandelier-style fixture adds sophistication, while matching lights over the bar maintain symmetry. The herringbone wood flooring and a plush area rug enhance the space's classic charm, creating a cohesive and welcoming environment.

Influential designers such as Dorothy Draper and Mario Buatta have elevated traditional interiors with their focus on refinement and comfort. Iconic locations like The Ritz Paris and Blenheim Palace in England are exemplary of this style, showcasing grandeur, balance, and craftsmanship in their architecture and interiors.

Decor Tips: Layer rich textiles, patterns, and incorporate timeless furniture pieces like antique chairs and chandeliers.

Mid-century modern design is defined by its organic shapes, retro colour palettes, and functional yet stylish furniture that became iconic during the mid-20th century. Clean lines, simplicity, and the integration of natural materials with innovative elements like fiberglass define this timeless aesthetic.

A visual example of mid-century modern design is a bar area that balances sleek functionality with striking details. A smooth cement wall, adorned with circular patterns and small pops of colour, introduces a geometric charm. Modern, sci-fi-inspired chairs add boldness while complementing the clean lines of a wooden bar, backed by a contrasting wood-panelled wall. Subtle floor lighting enhances the warm wood tones, while dot patterns on the floor echo the wall’s design, creating visual harmony. Plants near the windows and on the bar bring a natural touch, softening the modern, stylish atmosphere

This design style draws inspiration from the innovative movements of the 1940s to 1960s, including the advent of new materials and the emphasis on functional beauty. Visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen shaped its legacy with designs that remain influential today. To experience mid-century modern design firsthand, visit Palm Springs, a hub of this aesthetic, or the Eames House in California, an iconic representation of its principles.

Decor Tips: Look for statement furniture with a vintage feel, and experiment with bold colours and geometric patterns to bring this retro aesthetic to life.

Farmhouse chic combines rustic charm with a modern twist, creating spaces that are warm, cosy, and inviting. The style embraces natural materials, vintage-inspired decor, and a balance between rustic and contemporary elements, resulting in an aesthetic that feels both timeless and comfortable.

A visual example of farmhouse chic can be seen in a space where abundant wood and natural materials dominate. Two wooden tables and benches invite casual gatherings, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. The back wall features a wooden counter with a coffee machine and food items, adding both functionality and rustic charm. Wooden signs on the walls enhance the vintage appeal, while windows reminiscent of older designs, which need to be pushed up to open, further complete the farmhouse look. This combination captures the cosy, lived-in feel central to the farmhouse chic style.

This design style is inspired by rural living, particularly the American countryside, as well as vintage farmhouse aesthetics. Designers like Joanna Gaines have popularised farmhouse chic by blending old-world charm with modern sensibilities. To experience this aesthetic, visit places such as Magnolia Market in Waco or Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, where the rustic and inviting atmosphere is brought to life.

Farmhouse chic offers a timeless way to create a homely, welcoming space, using elements like distressed wood, cosy fabrics, and vintage items to complete the look

Decor Tips: Use distressed wood, cosy fabrics, and vintage items like lanterns or mason jars to create a welcoming space.

Art Deco is known for its bold patterns, geometric shapes, and metallic finishes, creating a sense of luxury and grandeur. The style is characterised by sleek lines, opulent materials, and a vibrant use of colour, blending glamour with industrial innovation to make a bold statement in any space.

Art Deco spaces feature a striking floor with square white tiles and smaller black tiles arranged in a diamond pattern, bringing geometric flair to the room. The rich orange and brown furniture complements the bold, luxurious aesthetic typical of Art Deco. The walls are painted in a warm gold colour, adorned with subtle, elegant designs that evoke the glamour of the 1920s and 1930s. In the background, the bar is illuminated with undertable lighting that casts a golden glow, enhancing the opulent atmosphere. Tall plants introduce a vibrant contrast, balancing the warm gold and brown tones, while adding a natural touch to the space.

Art Deco draws inspiration from the opulence of the 1920s and 1930s, seamlessly blending the glitz and glamour of the era with the advancements in industrial design. Designers such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jean-Michel Frank were instrumental in shaping the style, creating interiors that exude sophistication. To experience Art Deco, visit iconic locations such as The Carlyle Hotel in New York or Palais de Tokyo in Paris, both of which showcase the grandeur and elegance of this timeless style.

Decor Tips: Incorporate bold colours like emerald and gold, geometric patterns, and statement lighting.

Every client has a unique vision for their space, and understanding different design styles helps interior designers provide the best personalised solutions. Start by evaluating the client’s needs and preferences, considering their lifestyle, favourite colours, and how they utilise the space.

Mood boards are an invaluable tool for communicating design ideas to clients. They allow you to combine images, textures, and colour palettes to give clients a clearer representation of your vision.

Sometimes, a hybrid approach works best. Mixing elements from different styles allows designers to create custom solutions that reflect a client's tastes while still maintaining cohesion.

Incorporating Style Trends Into Your Projects

As styles evolve, interior designers must stay on top of current trends to meet client expectations. This includes incorporating sustainable materials, new technologies, and emerging design movements or designers into your projects.

Whether working on a large or small budget, understanding how to scale designs to different spaces is key. A minimalist approach can work in a small apartment, while industrial design might be better suited to large, open spaces.

Key References: Architectural Digest’s Clever, Dezeen Daily, The Modern House Journal, Apartamento, World of interior design.