The Quick Guide to Every Major Decorating Style

The joy of design lies in the countless possibilities that exist in every room. As people in different places and times have come to a consensus (more or less) about what is beautiful and what is not, today there are many design styles, one of which is suitable for every home, for all lives and for everyone eye. But there are some pieces that continue to stand out, whether it’s because they’re easy to update to stay modern or because they’re so timeless that they never seem completely outdated. But for a quick introduction to key design motifs, here are the top 10 design styles.

01 Modern Farmhouse Style

Many people didn’t expect farmhouse style to top the list, and that’s why it’s here. Farmhouse style is modern, rustic, and a little vintage, and is the perfect combination of timeless and easy to update. Its core features, exposed wood beams, brick fireplaces and rough-hewn surfaces have a compelling appeal that will never fade. In fact, it’s these elements that allow farmhouse style to seamlessly blend with modern aesthetics. This room has all the elements of a classic farmhouse, giving the famous style an earthy touch. All you need to give the space a modern feel is a Moroccan geometric rug and a modern floor lamp. The patterned brick fireplace interior is another beautiful touch that adds a modern feel to this rustic space.

02 Mid-century Modern Style

Even as we approach the end of the first two decades of the 21st century, mid-century modern style continues to be one of the most popular ways to decorate a room. Developed, as the name suggests, in the mid-1900s, the style represented a minimalist departure from the ostentatious luxury that characterized the previous Art Deco period. Created by luminaries such as Ray and Charles Eames, mid-century modern is more than just a design style, as it also includes a number of unique furniture styles associated with the style, including the iconic Eames Lounge.

This beautiful dining room features mid-century designs on the tables, chairs and even the console in the back corner. Streamlined details, warm wood tones and sophisticated aesthetics characterize this style and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

03 French Country Style

A more traditional approach to interior design, French Country continues to captivate homeowners with its elegance and style. Another rustic style, this time coming from the French hill country. This style is characterized by decorative elements, especially in lighting: traditional and ready-made patterns incorporate asymmetry in the form of mismatched furniture and rough textures. Some of these elements come to life in this room, from the traditional rug pattern to the mismatched furniture and decorations above the fireplace.

04 Industrial Style

Industrial design is characterized by rough surfaces such as brick and iron, stone or concrete floors, and open floor plans. The fun thing about industrial design is finding the challenging side of these raw spaces. Here it appears as a subtle textural combination of stone floors, brick walls and exposed timber supports. At the bar, a sleek stone top with straight edges is accompanied by classic bar stools with curved metal legs and a wooden top. As a finishing touch, a large bouquet of flowers on the dining table softens the space just enough without feeling too moody.

05 Mediterranean Style

Mediterranean style is ideal for those who like to decorate without ostentation or who prefer a casual, minimalist style while still maintaining a bit of exuberance. In terms of color, it’s important to remember that Mediterranean style is essentially a beach style, so you can expect to use a lot of blues and browns as the main influences are sun, sea and sand. However, the combination of warm and cool colors creates a relaxing balance, giving these spaces a comfortable, resort-like feel.

In this bedroom, these colors set the tone. Natural materials such as a jute rug with a handcrafted feel and vibrant patterns on the bedspread and headboard complement the style. However, the biggest mistake to avoid when applying this style is the assumption that the Mediterranean includes only Southern Europe, when in fact the Mediterranean touches Africa from Morocco to Egypt, as well as several points in the Middle East, so the range of cultural influences on there’s a huge amount to draw from, helping to give your space a sophisticated, earthy feel.

06 Art Deco Style

For those who love the Jazz Age, the Roaring 20s, or the books of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Art Deco may be the style for you. Short for Arts Decoratifs, this style was created as a reaction to the boom in prosperity that the United States experienced in the early 20th century. It survived the Great Depression before giving way to mid-century modern style.

At its peak, Art Deco was a marvel. This includes not only interior design, but also architecture, painting and sculpture. But Art Deco was not just about looking back. This entryway is a prime example of the Art Deco style: bold geometric patterns cover almost every surface of the room, highlighted by intricate lighting elements, creativity and lots of metals, especially gold. Although it was ultimately condemned as too ostentatious (understandable after the severe decline caused by a series of world wars), it remains one of the most iconic moments in history.

07 Modern Japanese Design

Many elements typical of traditional Japanese design have also become symbols of modern American design. These include a trend towards minimalism, a love of streamlined furniture and the inclusion of natural elements, from stonework to standing plants. This room embodies the sense of minimalism and quiet calm that are hallmarks of Japanese decor.

08 U.S. Beach Style

Like the Mediterranean style, this style’s main influence is the beach. Thus, blue shades of the sky and waves can be found next to different neutral tones of different types of sand. The difference between American beach style lies in the cultural touches that make up the details of the room. As seen in this room, ornate tile motifs and handcrafted Mediterranean-style furniture are replaced with Thomas Chippendale chairs and colorful pillows (though the blue Greek key pillow is technically a Mediterranean pattern).

09 Vintage Style

Vintage style is exactly what it sounds like – an eclectic mix of vintage and antique pieces that creates a comfortable and homey atmosphere. This dining room is a perfect example of a classic, nostalgic space with uneven seating around the table, antique chandeliers and old-fashioned artwork hanging on the walls.

10 Global Style

Global styles can be a little tricky. Where it is often confused with boho style or simply an eclectic style where many different items are collected in a room, creating a truly global room requires compatibility. Collaborate more thoughtfully with culture to create rooms that tell stories. Because a global space can include so many things, it’s difficult to distill style down to a few key elements. To avoid cultural appropriation, when using elements from other cultures, the context and significance of the works must be considered, and care must be taken when selecting items to ensure ethical provenance and affordable prices.

However, this living room perfectly combines some of the most popular items. First is the combination of color and pattern, as seen in rugs and cushions. The emphasis on textiles is also a common element in the global space. But the most important aspect is always the mixing of cultures, because this is what creates a truly global space. In this space, a Moroccan sofa sits next to an ottoman filled with Hmong and Suzani Chinese pattern pillows. The whole thing is completed by a wall with frames engraved with Cube and Ndop patterns.