Time-Dependent Styles
Traditional Style
- Carved patterns
- Use of solid wood
- Printed fabrics
- Use of engineered boards only for tops
- Started in the 18th century
Let’s begin with one of the oldest interior design styles which started around the 18th century called the traditional style. As the name suggests, this style of interior design comes from tradition as it is rooted in the past. This style is classic, elegant, and feels familiar to everyone around the globe. With carved patterns and bold printed fabrics, traditional interior style picks up on the grandeur aesthetics of the kings and the queens. Solid wood furniture with a darker finish is a key component along with the symmetrical architecture such as moldings, columns, and wooden panels. Accessories in this style tend to be ornate to match the warm color palette of the room.
Modern Style
- Sleek lines
- Use of metal
- Solid color fabrics
- Use of plywood and bent plywood
- Started in the late 19th century
With the revolution in technology, industrialization, and modern art and architecture in the 1920s, the modern interior style came into existence. Neutral is the keyword in this design style. The modern style consists of a lot of clean lines, an open space concept, and solid-colored fabrics. The furniture pieces are generally longer and lower and are mainly made up of plywood and natural materials like metal and unpainted wood. Popular finishes for modern furniture are leather, veneers, glass, chrome, and steel. To finish up the modern style interior look, the décor is kept minimal without unnecessary clutter.
Number of layers and objects
Maximalist Style
- Many accessories in a single room
- About aesthetics and coziness
- Patterns on patterns with multiple textures
- Generally bright colors
- Multiple layers bring the room together
Maximalist interior style is loud, chaotic and very colorful. This style is pretty out-there when it comes to the choice of fabrics and colors. Layering is the principle for maximal living, with eye-catching patterns on patterns with various textures. The color palette is definitely filled with bold colors such as emerald, violet, fuchsia, etc., and the fabrics are high-quality and plush, shiny velvet being the primary choice. Vintage accents, high-impact wall art, statement furniture pieces, and intense wallpapers are the things that make this style of interior. In short, maximalist interior is a melting pot of multiple styles of art and design.
Minimalist Style
- Minimal possible accessories in a room
- About functionality
- Minimal patterns with multiple materials providing basic textures
- Muted and earthy colors
- Room is generally not layered
Minimalist style, very similar to modern interior design, is characterized by simplicity, clean lines and monochrome. This style can be defined by the use of bare essentials and functional pieces to create an uncluttered space. The color palette is neutral with a lot of whites, grays, creams, and blacks, along with the use of simple textures or patterns. Everything from architecture to lighting to décor is, as the name suggests, minimal. Unlike, modern interior, minimal design style prioritizes efficiency and the “less is more” aesthetic.
Collections
Eclectic Style
- Mix of multiple design types
- Use of bright patterns and colors
- Generally one bright color is the hero of the room
- Multiple objects are collected and it shows the personality of the person in the room
Eclectic interior style is a selection of different designs, colors, patterns, and elements into one space. A marriage of décor from different time periods. This design style loves matching contrasting textures together, for example, marble, leather or wood styled with bricks or woven fabrics. The eclectic interior style has a focal point which could be an accent wall or a statement furniture piece, with some negative space in the room. A gallery wall with different styles of frames, fun colors, and dimensions goes perfectly in this design aesthetic. The eclectic interior design is, basically, many pieces from the journey of life brought together in a harmonious way.
Scandinivian Style
- Towards minimalism
- Softer hues and geometric patterns
- Generally white color is the hero in the room with pastels
- Sleek lines and natural furnishings give a warm appeal to the room
- Pillows and throws are layered along with floor rugs
This is a minimalist style that originated around the 1950s in five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. There is use of natural wood in light color and soft, natural fabric to make plush furniture. The difference between Scandinavian and Modern and Minimal styles is that although, all of them have a neutral color theme, Scandinavian has a contrast color such a black. Accent lights and eye-catching accessories and wall art are used to create a symphony. Form follows function in this style. There has been a resurgence of this style in the current times due to the popularity of the Danish concept of “Hygge”: finding pleasure in simple joys of life.
About the finishing
Industrial Style
- Exposed walls and ceilings with track or wired lighting and pipes showing
- Raw finish with sleek furniture
- Extensive use of mild steel, plywood and leather
- Minimal art on walls
- Is a basic version of modern
Exposed concrete ceilings and brick walls define industrial interiors started as a design movement around the early 20th century. Industrial designers wanted to create high-technology items for everyday use for the masses. The industrial designers saw a great opportunity in consumer goods after working with automotive and airplane manufacturers in the first world war. Precision manufacturing in those field helped them create iconic designs in furniture. It is a minimal type of design with a layering of unexpected textures such as bricks, concrete, metal (especially black color), and plastic (after the second world war). The pipelines and electricity lines are visible and are thus, easy to maintain. The ceilings are high, inspired by factories, with exposed beams.
Contemporary Style
- Finished walls in rich paint with false ceilings with glamorous lighting
- Furniture is soft and cushioned
- Use of solid wood, glass, upholstery
- Large-sized art on walls
A design which started in the 1970s but is here to stay is the contemporary interior design style. Taking inspiration from art deco, modern, futurism, etc., contemporary smooths and refines them in form definition. Priority is given to functionality as well along with design. Statement art is used on walls to express individual personality. The colors used are mostly earthy and neutrals with a spark of a bright shade to add a statement piece to the room. Contemporary interiors and designers are constantly evolving as well and have incorporated technology to stay relevant in the design game. Comfort and ergonomics along with finished textures are imperative qualities of this style.