TRADITIONAL INTERIOR STYLE

Traditional interior designers are those that are heavily

influenced and inspired by the old European décor that
gained popularity, particularly during the 18 th and the
19th century. They are big on heavy furniture and fittings
that are still very stylish and elegant.

This type of interior designing is perfect for those who

love decorations and styles that a have rich history
behind them for instance, classic art pieces, antique
elements, and symmetrical objects.
 Elements of this design include:
• Reflects classic European decor,
• Elaborate moldings and wood paneling,
• Built-in cabinetry
• Elegant furnishings and antique pieces,
• Pairings of furniture and accessories,
• Neutral palette with vibrant colors for furniture and accent
pieces,
• Expensive textiles like silk, velvet, cashmere or comfy
fabrics like cotton or linen, and
• Intricate tile and wood floor patterns
 MODERN STYLE
• for interiors is more popular in the media than in real
life.  I think people appreciate the look of it and it’s
definitely cool, but when it comes to living in the
more austere design, people opt for warmer home
decor styles such as rustic, cottage or traditional.
• Nevertheless, builders and architects are
incorporating modern elements to many homes
which is kind of cool; but moderating it with
materials, angles and lines that add warmth.
 Key attributes of modern interior design
style include:
• Absence of ornament,
• Intentional asymmetry,
• No clutter or chaos,
• Neutrals with primary colors and bold color contrasts,
• Geometric-patterned or plain area rugs,
• Furniture pieces have clean lines and basic shapes, made
of materials like metal, chrome, or glass and are
streamlined with polished, smooth and sleek surfaces,
• Art, rather than accessories, and
• Open floor plans
 CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
• Contemporary design style is often confused
with modern design style… usually references
to modern are in fact contemporary design.
• Contemporary design is current design which
includes open spaces, plenty of light, straight
lines, plenty of glass, settel and wood and in
some cases unusual layouts.
 Key attributes of modern interior design
style include:
• pen spaces or open floor plans,
• Unusual layouts,
• Use of natural light,
• Neutral colors,
• Metal accent pieces,
• Textured and natural fabric,
• Very light or very dark wood tones, and
• Lighting design used as an artistic statement.
TRANSITIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN

Transitional interior design style is an elusive

style that spans multiple styles tying traditional
or long-standing styles together with modern or
contemporary design elements.  It’s extremely
popular right now among designers.  In fact, it’s
very easy to confuse contemporary with
transitional and in fact for both types it’s often
easy to argue a particular interior design is one
or the other.
 Key attributes of modern interior design
style include:
• Curved furnishings with straight-lined
lacquered finishes,
• Limited use of accessories,
• Use of impactful art as focal points,
• Neutral color palette, and
• Textural elements such as wood, glass,
lacquer, rattan, fabric, steel and metal.
 MID CENTURY
These interior designers take you back to the
1900s with some of the most iconic interior
styles and designs. Mid-century modern interior
designers offer you a unique blend of
minimalism and a kind of an ancient retro look.
The main theme followed by these designers is
“fussy-free” which is usually accompanied by
crisp, simple lines, rusty metals, a lot of wood,
subtle silhouettes and hues of blues and greens.
 THE SHABBY CHIC
• The Shabby Chic interior designers draw quite a
significant chunk of their inspiration from the vintage
designs and styles; however, they are more focused
towards creating feminine, soft and delicate designs.
• Most of the furnishings used by these designers
appear to be distressed and aged and contain a very
antique kind of a finish. The aim of this type of
interior designing is often to blend together features
of contemporary and modern styles with a scruff and
ragged finish.
 MAIN SHABBY-CHIC
Main shabby-chic design attributes:
• Decor has a soft, feminine feel,
• Vintage fabrics and items,
• Distressed and painted furnishings,
• Whitewashed and pickling floors,
• Pale palettes, and
• Floral prints.
 INDUSTRIAL INTERIOR DESIGN
• Industrial design became popular in the 1990’s as many
North American city centers started enjoying a refurbishment
by converting old manufacturing facilities and warehouses
into condos and multi-unit residential buildings. 
• Instead of covering up or removing all the remnants of the
space such as brick walls, exposed pipes and electrical wires
and putting in interior walls, developers created large, open
units preserving the old floors, walls and keeping much of
the pipes and wiring and beams exposed resulting in what is
known as industrial home decor.
 The key elements of industrial interior
design include:
• Raw and unfinished look,
• A mix of grays, neutrals and rustic colors,
• Utilitarian objects,
• Large sectionals,
• Antique or light fixtures with metal finishes,
• Use of vintage and old factory and laboratory pieces,
• Wood and metal surfaces, and
• Concrete flooring.
 ECLECTIC INTERIOR
DESIGN
Eclectic design is a showcasing of contrasting elements including
colors, furnishings and materials.  It can easily be overdone to
look terrible, but when done well, the contrasting aspects can be
tied together to create a cohesive and attractive design.

Eclectic designs provide a great canvas for designers to work

their magic on and come up with something outstanding. From
the looks of it, one might think of these designs as haphazard or
chaotic, however, there is a very fine line between aesthetically
pleasant eclectic designs and those that are merely created
without any measured motifs or themes.
 Main design attributes:
• Varied palette with a few grounding neutrals,
• Different pieces in the room are tied together
with paint, fabric or a more refined or
roughed-up finish, and
• Defined by contrasts and variety.
 BEACH/NAUTICAL STYLE
 the beach style should be reserved for houses on
the beach.  It’s kind of odd to have a nautical
themed home in the burbs.  This style includes
light colors with splashes of bright colors such as
navy blue and even bright colors, loads of
natural light (i.e. windows), nautical accessories
such as rope, dark wood and other items found
on boats and wicker or rattan furniture.
 Main design attributes:
• Light and breezy,
• Nautical-themed decor,
• All white backdrop; borrow colors from sand, surf
and shells;
• Décor crafted from natural fibers and organic
materials,
• Wickers tools, rattan furniture and beds with a
natural oak frame, and
• Window coverings
Nautical interior designs are best described as
positive, warm, and relaxing. The primary reason
is that they always make you feel like you are near
the ocean. Interior designers who follow the
nautical theme typically make use of elements like
sea creatures, ships, and anchors.

Their color palettes are also full of those that you

would see on the beach, which is why the nautical
style is also referred to as the “beach-inspired”
look.
 FARMHOUSE INTERIOR DESIGN
STYLE
Farmhouse is similar to country or rustic design
styles except that it’s typically lighter,
incorporates some shabby-chic, enjoys plenty of
natural wood and gives an aura of a cozy feel.
 Main style elements:
• All white look,
• Dominant fireplace,
• Large kitchen and dining place,
• Open shelves and cabinets,
• “Company” parlor and “family” sitting room,
• Cozy fabrics, natural materials and textiles,
• Vintage, reclaimed or heritage accessories,
• Vintage, shabby chic furniture with a rustic flair,
• Tongue-and-groove paneling, shiplap and butt boards,
• Even ceilings with exposed reclaimed beams,
• Barn doors,
• No to glass, and
• Wide plank floors.
 MEDITERRANEAN INTERIOR
DESIGN STYLE
• Arches
• Columns
• Ornate features including furniture
• Tile and brick
• Earth tones
• Large furniture
• interior balconies
• Tall ceilings (not always, but it’s no uncommon)
• Curves.
 CRAFTSMAN STYLE
Key interior style elements:
• Open floor plan: This is definitely a much desired design feature
today and so it makes sense the Craftsman is a very popular
design for contemporary homes.
• Plenty of built-in wood elements such as cabinetry, fireplace
mantles, bookcases, etc.
• Plenty of handcrafted woodwork including exposed ceiling
beams.
• Use of natural materials such as wood, stone, brick, glass and tile.
• Plenty of windows.
• Color scheme: earth tones and plenty of wood.
SCANDINAVIAN INTERIOR DESIGN
• Inspired by the simple lifestyles in the Nordic countries,
Scandinavian interior designers provide timeless interior
designs and styles that are greatly characteristic of the
fjords, snow, and mountains found in those countries.

• Their designs are a true representation of pared-back

coziness, a myriad of textures and some clean, refined
lines. They are a beautiful work of art, but always so
simple and subtle. Scandinavian designs are big on space,
fewer accessories, natural light flowing in, and minimal
furniture that serves some purpose.
 Important design elements:
• Predominantly white,
• Bright colors combine with the main white color,
• Large mirrors,
• Principles of symmetry,
• Furniture pieces are functional and stylish but not too
trendy and contemporary,
• Use of light colored wood and warm colors, and
• Light wood flooring dressed up with rugs in subtle
color.
 RUSTIC STYLE
• Rustic interiors are truly raw, often with unfinished elements that
are typically made of stone or wood. Interior designers who
follow the rustic theme derive most of their ideas, styles, and
designs from natural inspiration and also tend to include
accessories that mostly come from outdoors.
• Most of the accessories they use consist of elaborate
architectural details and dramatic features like reclaimed wooden
floors and perhaps, ceilings that are decked with wood beams.
• The main focus of rustic interior designers is on raw, natural, and
unrefined elements that are bold and blatantly real. These
designs also have quite an earthy and organic touch to them.
Important rustic design elements:
• Exposed ceiling beams,
• Use of reclaimed wood,
• Exposed stone wall,
• Wooden flooring,
• Cowhides, sheepskins and simple neutral-colored
natural fabrics,
• Distressed and handcrafted items,
• Wood-burning fireplace, and
• Prominent staircases.
TROPICAL INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE
Important tropical design elements:
• Open plan layout,
• Safari-themed, jungle or beach vibes,
• Passive cooling,
• High ceilings,
• Light and breezy,
• Ceiling fans,
• Monochromatic and light, reflective color scheme,
• Predominant green nuances,
• Accessories and furniture made of tropical woods or natural materials,
• Fabrics and textiles with palm leaves or animal motif,
• Plenty of indoor plants,
• Figures and statues of animals, and
• Wooden flooring with a red carpet.
The following sets out some key design elements
of the Victorian style:
• Asymmetrical designs;
• Vibrant colors
• Decorative trim;
• Textured wall surfaces with complex patterns from
wall-to-ceiling wallpapers to luxurious fabrics;
• Elaborate and massive furniture;
• Extravagant accessories; and
• Bay windows, sometimes with stained glass panels,
walk-out versions or built-in bench.
 MINIMALIST
• As the name evidently implies, minimalist interior designers are
truly simple, low-key, and unfussy. They thrive on the principle
that goes like; “less is more” so they take some of the best and
simplest modern designs and simplify them even further
• While not technically an established design style, we list it
because it’s a style people look for.  There are styles that are
minimalist such as modern and midcentury design styles.
• Minimal interior styles and designs consist of ultra-clean lines
and streamlined furnishings that have nothing flamboyant or
glitzy about them. They also pick on air and neutral color
palettes that provide a great sense of warmth and coolness to the
eyes.
 Vintage interior style
• focuses on minimal clutter and puts forth a very
clean, crisp, and classy display of furniture,
decorative accents, and designs. These interiors
also often include old frames and photographs
that are usually black and white in order to give
the entire space a very old yet stylish look. You
may also see a variety of open shelves in most
vintage designs which allow one to show off
their classic vintage accessories and items.
 BOHEMIAN
Bohemian interior designers are known for their use of those interior pieces
that seem to possess nomadic and ethnic vibes. They also love playing with
vibrant colors and rich patterns that appear to be bold and loud.
• An interesting yet key characteristic of these designers is that they
purposefully make things look messy so you will often find them mixing
around different colors and a variety of elements like pillows, throws, rugs,
etc.
• The Bohemian-style interior is also a true representation of the avant-garde
lifestyle that is known for its adventurous and carefree spirit. So, these
designers also try to display these features in their styles and designs.
 HOLLYWOOD GLAM
• Undoubtedly, the Hollywood Glam interiors designers are
by far the most modern and stylish of all. Their key
characteristic is that they are super luxurious and over-the-
top in their interior designs. They love to create big and
bold statements with the help of dramatic and opulent
design styles.
• Most of their styles and designs consist of Victorian
inspirations with antique furnishings, plush and velvety
elements, and magnificent decorative accents. The color
palettes used here are usually very bold with beautiful
blends of turquoise, reds and purples.