As an interior designer, I work with many different design styles. All my clients are different and have a range of styles that I work with in order to design to their needs and likes. That is important as a designer: I cannot force my style on my clients as that is not what they want nor will make them happy. As a designer, I am important in the design of the space which directly effects the emotions and behaviors of my clients. Therefore, I must design to their desires, not mine. To do this, I make sure to understand what their design style is and how to incorporate it into the design. Below, I have a few of these design styles explained. Keep reading to see the styles I come across the most!
Traditional
For my first style, I am going back to the basics with a traditional style. This is a style that is classic and will truly never be "out." I see this style used in many homes and it can range from a more comfortable aesthetic to a more elegant style depending on what is used in the space and how. A traditional style uses a lot of curved furniture pieces, such as sofas with large rounded arms to the use of floral elements and oriental rugs. There is an emphasis on symmetry in traditional style, as it maintains a beautiful balance that is easy to see and prompts the user to feel more comfortable. In this style, crown molding and wainscoting is seen frequently. The color scheme tends to lean towards the neutral side however, pops of colors can be used to add a little variation and some visual interest in the room. This is a good style to incorporate some antique furniture in, as it will welcome it into its classic aesthetic. Something I want to point out is that traditional style does not have to mean "old." I hear a lot of my clients say that they like a traditional style and then jump to the fact that they are "old." Which, of course, is not true! If anything, it means that those who like a more traditional style are just falling into their roots. It is comfortable to them and pleasing and therefore, the perfect style for their home.
Transitional
I love this style because it is the best of both worlds! A transitional style is a blend of traditional and contemporary styles that work seamlessly together to create a classic and sophisticated space. This style leaves a little more room to include an array of pieces as it allows for the use of more traditional pieces and adding a modern twist to them. For example, instead of using a large paneled arm sofa, one with a smaller roll or even a sloped arm is a wonderful way to still have the traditional, classic look but also to have a modern flair. Or, have a very classic sofa but use bright pillows and modern artwork to change the look. Transitional is a timeless design because it utilizes classic styles and mixes them with what is seen as the current trend (i.e. contemporary). A transitional style truly is a wonderful way to mix and match traditional and contemporary styles to create a beautiful blend that is perfect for any home. It is a style that will also age wonderfully, so it will always be in style.
Midcentury Modern
Midcentury modern is a style that I am hearing from clients more and more. This style is sleek and is more minimalistic, using warm wood tones and muted tones with some vibrant colors. Midcentury modern is a reinvention of styles from the mid-1900s. It focuses on a mixture of natural and manmade materials, as well as it includes both organic and geometric shapes. One of the elements I love about this style is the idea of celebrating nature and bringing it indoors. We see a lot of natural tones in this style, which is a welcome sight in a world emerging from the pandemic and recovering what was lost during those years. It also includes an openness to the outside, but using window treatments that do not block the exterior, but frame it and emphasize the natural world outside. Midcentury modern focuses on form and function, and is less ornate. The beauty is in the simplicity of the pieces, which have straight, sleek lines to emphasize the openness of the space. Open spaces and the flow around these spaces is highlighted with the simple yet functional elements inside.
Scandinavian
This style immediately brings Ikea to mind! Scandinavian style is similar to midcentury modern, and is seen as the European equivalent. This style features minimalism, clean lines, pops of color mixed with neutral tone and soft textures. Scandinavian style includes functional furniture, without sacrificing beauty. Bright, open spaces are celebrated. With this, Scandinavian style also tends to use a lot of white/off white color schemes, as this style was born from a region that gets very little sunlight. Therefore, the light colors are used to capture the small amount of natural light and reflect it back into the interior. Neutral and monochrome color schemes help maintain the unfussy/uncluttered aesthetic that is showcased in Scandinavian design. In addition, this style uses designs that are multifunctional and flexible. The elements in this design style can be used in a variety of ways and moved from room to room. Having more than one use for the furniture and decorative elements gives it the ability to be used in a fresh, new way, giving it a longer useful life for the owner. The style is serene and inviting, while still being practical.
Farmhouse/Modern Farmhouse
This next style is a jump from Scandinavian style. Farmhouse and modern farmhouse styles have gained popularity, especially with the influence of designers like Joanna Gaines. This design style mixes a more relaxed, farmhouse feel with some modern touches. It incorporates smooth lines, shiny accents and neutral color schemes with the more rustic influence of the farmhouse style. It is a balance of traditional and contemporary with a more rural flair. This style uses a lot of textures and layering of neutrals. It also includes matte black accents to provide a strong contrast in the space. This can be seen as hardware, door frames, window mullions, etc. The farmhouse and modern farmhouse styles are cozy, warm, inviting and have a very family-friendly aesthetic (even with lots of white and light neutrals!). This design style is a fun style to work with, and work well in a lot of different homes.
Industrial
Inspired by the building type it is named after, industrial design utilizes a lot of industrial elements that are found in industrial buildings. These include exposed pipes, metal, concrete, brick, etc. This style is more laid-back and showcases natural materials and the raw details of those "unfinished" elements the style is known for. A darker yet neutral color palette is used to offset the abundance of natural light that enters in these types of designs, as they tend to use large windows to mimic that of industrial buildings trying to utilize the natural light for work. The style is minimalistic in its approach, but unlike midcentury modern, does not focus on simple line and form. There is more of a heaviness to it, which makes it warmer and cozier than the industrial buildings it is named after. This design style does allow for variation with the furniture and accents as well. Utilizing furniture with natural elements such as leather and mixing it with a metal table can create that wonderful equilibrium between welcomes warmth and provides a comfortable environment without taking away from the raw beauty of the industrial surround. This style is very fun to work with and I love being inspired by the unfinished materials it is known for. When done well, these unfinished materials look as complete as if the space was dry walled with a ceiling, instead of the exposed exterior wall, pipes and interior rafters.
Eclectic
An eclectic design style is truly a melting pot of styles. It blends different styles and motifs together to create a unique aesthetic that is truly an original. This is the style I tend to lead to in my personal space because I love using different elements and bringing them together into one, cohesive look. Eclectic design uses a combination of patterns, prints and textures and also uses a varied color palette. There is not one specific answer or item to use: the options are endless! This design style leans away from minimalism, and has a tendency to incorporate more decorative pieces. Not everything in the space has to have a function. Eclectic styles allow you to mix and match different periods of design to create one that is uniquely you. This is also a risky style, as if not done properly, becomes a hodgepodge of items. It is still important to use the basic elements and design principles, which can be challenging when there are so many different options to be used in eclectic design. Keeping the principles of balance, emphasis, alignment, hierarchy, proportion, movement, unity, repetition, negative/positive space, contrast and variety will help maintain a sense of design in eclectic style, instead of a conglomeration of things thrown together in one space.
These design styles are not the only ones, but they are common ones that I hear frequently. I like to work in all of these styles and more and love finding ways to bring my clients personality and energy into the style too. That makes it even more personal to them and their home, and helps provide a little extra oomph. There are many design styles in the world and new ones are always coming about. I am always excited to keep up with the styles as they change and come about and I cannot wait to see how they have changed by next year.
Colleen
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