6 popular interior design styles

Design is a procreative process of analysis, fusion, of trial and error, of trying out different possibilities and ideas in order to create the perfect blend of various design styles. If you are looking to design your new home and in search of inspiration then look no further! We are covering 6 interior design styles that will assist you in decorating your house.

You can use the style of your choice or you can combine different styles to create your own unique look. Knowing about the styles and how they differ from one another is a great place to start.

1. Modern

Modern style is a misleading term. It sounds like this design concept is based on the present, but, that’s not quite the case. Today’s modern style is based on the design movement of the 20^th century. Modern style embraces the philosophy of simplicity, it offers clean lines, neutral colour palettes and uncluttered furniture. It is the celebration of natural light and plain windows. It makes use of natural materials like wood, metals, leather and natural fibres. The use of reflective surfaces like steel, glass or chrome could be seen in modern design styles. In modern style every element has its purpose, if an element does not serve a practical purpose it might as well be excluded. It uses a rather monochromatic theme in its design.

2. Contemporary

It is very easy to confuse modern and contemporary design concepts. As we have learned so far that the modern style was born around the 20^th century, contemporary design was not born out of any era. Trending design is what contemporary style is. For example, contemporary style may use an element if its purpose is just to be decorative, whereas modern style hardly uses an element without function. Contemporary style may use curved lines but modern style puts emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines. For the on-going year, people who would like to go for a contemporary design style may use metallic paint colours, sustainable design; where less is more. Also making use of primary colours, graphics and shapes are all “in” for this Common Era.

3. Minimalist

In Bangladesh, the minimalist design concept is yet to make a mark, but here in Sheraspace office, we have successfully incorporated a minimalistic design. Minimalism takes the concept of modern design style and simplifies it even more. Minimalism celebrates the idea of space. There is no need for partitions in a room because why create divisions when you can let your furniture live and breathe freely in your home. Large windows are also a big part of the minimalistic design to fill a room with enough light. This is also because white is the most common colour in minimalist design; which is combined most of the time with grey or any colour scheme which creates a halftone. Table, sofa, chair, chandeliers and furniture are usually basic geometric shapes or different forms of basic geometric shapes.

4. Traditional

If you love Europe and would like your home to give off a European vibe whenever you enter it, then Traditional is your style. Traditional style derives from the 18^th and 19^th century Europe, including its furniture. The most interesting aspect of this style is the silhouettes created by the furniture in the house. Claw footed table, curved furniture and sofa and winged back chairs are all of which illustrate the traditional looks. Graceful lines, sturdily crafted furniture, carved mouldings and detailed woodwork are all assets of traditional style.

Another important and common aspect of traditional design is symmetry. Creating a symmetry around a specific furniture piece, which is the focal point of the room, is a basic design concept of traditional design style. Neutral colour is also usually used in traditional design to visually ground the furniture around it so that it pops out. Traditional style has layers and depth to its design and yet it’s quite simple in nature compared to a Bohemian design style which we will talk about next.

5. Bohemian

If rules are not for you and all you want is to follow what your heart desires, then Bohemian design style is what you are looking for. It blends different styles and cultures to create a unique look of its own. Neutral, warm or earthly tone is the perfect place to start designing for your bohemian interior. You can soak these neutral tones with a splash of colour to create a harmonious engagement. Having patterns is essential to this style of design. Add patterns to your cushions, throws and rugs, but keep in mind a good colour theme is also necessary. Being closer to the floor will give you an authentic bohemian feel; having low lying sofas, having rugs topped with cushions as seating will create a sense of comfort and add dimensions to your design.

The thing about Bohemian is that it does not necessarily make use of expensive fabrics, furniture or antiques. You can get your stuff from the local flea market and decorate your house with it and it will give your home a unique design. Botanicals are also a perfect fit for Bohemian style. Anything can go anywhere in bohemian design style as long as you love it.

6. Mediterranean

Coming back to European influences on design we have got Mediterranean – the last interior design style we talk about here in this piece. This style comes from the countries north of the Mediterranean Sea, including Spain, Greece and Italy. Mediterranean style ranges from the functional style of modern design to heavily formal styles of minimalist. Mediterranean homes feel light and airy with a lot of sand colours and bright whites mixed with greens and blues which essentially brings the nature inside of your home. Blending the interior design with the exterior is an important aspect of Mediterranean Design Style. Accessorizing with elements of the beach is not unusual in this style, for example, sea-shells, jute, rope and sailboats. Having a lot of light and being bright is also an important part of having a Mediterranean vibe. So, let the lights pour in from the windows. The idea is to have a comfortable environment which gives off a coastal vibe.

A basic understanding of these popular interior design styles will help you set up your personal home or office. The knowledge of being able to differentiate between various designs will be handy in helping you take on a more creative approach and even work more smoothly with a professional interior designer.