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Whether you’re planning on a complete makeover or just a few tweaks, it can be tricky to know where to start with home decorating.
Interior design is bigger than ever, and there are dozens of styles to choose from. So, if you’re struggling to figure out your ideal aesthetic, you might like to familiarise yourself with some of the most popular styles.
To help, we’ve compiled a list of 18 home decorating ideas – from sleek, urban designs to cosy, classic looks.
1. Minimalist
The idea of a minimalist design might evoke images of cold, stark rooms that are devoid of warmth or personality – but this isn’t true.
Minimalism is about simple, streamlined design, neutral colours, and embracing fuss-free functionality rather than excess. Furniture is elegant and comfortable, and accessories and adornments often serve a dual purpose, rather than just looking pretty.
These designs steer clear of busy patterns, flamboyant designs, and loud fabrics – and when stripped back of distractions and clutter, rooms look lighter, brighter, and more open.
Having lots of space is also a key part of minimalistic design, so concealed storage, hushed colours, and plenty of natural light are important, too.
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2. Contemporary
The contemporary style can be tricky to describe because it doesn’t refer to a specific style but to designs that are currently trending.
What was contemporary in 2000 won’t be contemporary today. While other modern interior design styles (like urban or industrial) will always remain the same, contemporary designs are more fluid.
Generally, contemporary designs mix old and new styles. Compared to modern or mid-century designs, contemporary ones are more flexible. They borrow elements from other styles while still having freedom and flexibility, and aren’t constrained to a certain look.
3. Bohemian
Timeless, colourful, and free-spirited, the Bohemian interior design style is endlessly popular. It represents a carefree, heady style that’s full of unique trinkets, antique furnishings, eclectic art, and bold patterns.
There isn’t a set order for the boho style – rather, it’s a mix of bright colours, lush fabrics, and vintage furniture that somehow work perfectly together.
The boho style is often a celebration of different cultures and countries, and can be favoured by people who enjoy travelling. Imagine the treasures you might find in an exotic flea market – beaded fabrics, jewel-tone cushions, Moroccan lamps, ornate mirrors, and eclectic statues.
Despite the relaxed, higgledy-piggledy style, the boho look still manages to be glamorous and sophisticated.
4. Traditional
If you’re drawn to timeless, classic designs, the traditional style might be for you. This design is inspired by the 18th and 19th centuries, and while historic European decor is a primary theme, it has some modern twists, too.
It’s easy to use a traditional design as a base, and then inject plenty of personal touches to make it more unique.
Backdrops and colour palettes are usually simple yet rich, while the furniture is more elaborate. Think claw-footed tables, winged-backed chairs, and lavish Persian rugs. Traditional styles also tend to include furniture from Neoclassical, French Country, and Colonial styles – and antiques and art are often used to add warmth, personality, and intimacy.
5. Transitional
If you like elements of both traditional and contemporary styles, transitional could be the perfect aesthetic for you.
Transitional designs fuse traditional and contemporary influences – and while this may sound strange because the two looks are very distinct, it can bring about a beautiful sense of balance. Modern styles can sometimes feel a bit impersonal or cold, so juxtaposing this with the warmth of a traditional look can add cosiness and depth.
Colours are usually neutral – often taupe, tan, and vanilla – while brighter, more vibrant ones tend to be used as statement pieces. Clean lines, simple architecture, minimalist ornamentation, and texture are all hallmarks of the transitional style.
6. Rustic
Rustic interior design is all about balancing classic simplicity with natural elements inspired by the outdoors.
It features plenty of wood, exposed stone and brick, leather, iron, and natural fibres. Warmth is usually added with soft textiles – like cosy sofas, plush armchairs, and woolly rugs and blankets. Furniture is often dark, sturdy, and classic. Weathered looks are also popular with rustic furniture.
These designs combine the best of classic contemporary with warmth and cosiness, so unsurprisingly, this look is as popular in cities as it is in country homes. Ambient lighting is important, too, whether from an open fireplace or a statement lamp.
7. French country
In many ways, the French Country look is a blend of transitional, farmhouse, and shabby chic designs – but with a cool, sophisticated twist.
Colours are often muted and light, while fabrics can be bold and patterned. Popular furnishings include antique cabinets, minimalist coffee tables, and Louis VI chairs, reupholstered with modern, jazzy prints.
While main wall colours are usually neutral, this is by no means a necessity, and bolder colours tend to come in the form of accents – whether that’s vibrant curtains or feature walls. Think warm colours like sunbaked ochre, sage green, soft pinks, light blues, and deep, earthy reds.
With its mix of antique furnishings, eclectic art, and natural decor, French country offers a homey, well-balanced look.
8. Shabby chic
Shabby chic is one of the most misunderstood interior design styles. It was popularised in the 1980s, reinterpreting traditional British aesthetics into softer, lighter designs.
It blends the cosy history of an old English cottage with the vibrance of sunny California and the vintage feel of European eclecticism.
Yet, along the way, shabby chic design became associated with ‘granny decor’. However, this belief certainly isn’t accurate. Shabby chic perfectly marries the weathered look of historic designs with modern comforts, while still looking delightfully snug and lived-in.
Distressed painted wood, patterned cushions, vintage-inspired furniture, and airy light fixtures are all hallmarks of shabby chic. The result is a look that’s romantic, welcoming, and soft.
9. Scandinavian
Scandinavian design has become one of the most popular modern aesthetics, and it’s a look that unites minimalism, utility, and simplicity with a cool, soothing style. There’s also a focus on affordability, and the bare layouts and clean arrangements contrast minimalistic and mid-century styles.
Yet, despite the simple, functional style, the Scandi look also offers plenty of warm, personal touches. While colour palettes are composed of cool, neutral tones (like greys, blues, blacks, and whites), rooms will include plenty of throws, rugs, and colourful artwork.
Furniture is often rounded, too, which makes what could be a severe space look more relaxed.
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10. Mid-century modern
Mid-century modern is another one of the most popular interior design styles of all time.
This aesthetic gained popularity after WWII, when minimalism and utility were at the heart of interior design. However, this newer twist on the classic mid-century design has a fresh, modern touch that’s kept it widely used to this day.
When this design first became popular, people were realising that as well as being functional, homes should also be social spaces – and the focus became emphasising the common, shared areas.
Clean lines, warm colours (like oranges, yellows, greens, and browns), simple shapes and silhouettes, and muted fabrics are all hallmarks of this classic, classy design.
11. Industrial
The name might evoke images of warehouses and factories, but, in reality, industrial interiors are all about celebrating utility and functionality, without compromising style.
Originally considered more of a masculine style, the industrial look can be tailored to personal preference – and there are many ways you can add warmth and cosiness to this sometimes stark look.
Industrial designs are often open-plan and commonly feature unfinished brick walls and exposed concrete beams, columns, and pipes. Colours are usually neutral and moody (like greys and browns), with iron and steel accessories completing the look.
Roughness and weathered furniture are embraced, and vintage industrial designs often become key focal points.
12. Art Deco
If you’re drawn to opulent, ornate, and elegant designs, Art Deco might be the look for you.
This style originated in the 1920s when the excitement and opportunity of post-war life were celebrated through a new, lavish aesthetic. While Art Deco is bold and glamorous, it’s also about balance, order and symmetry.
Clean lines, angular patterns, and sleek geometry are at the heart of this look, and warmth is added through a distinctive layering of light. Glass and mirrors, shiny chrome and brass fittings, lacquered wood, and jewel colours are usually found in abundance. Essentially, this style is all about substance and fineness.
13. Modern farmhouse
The modern farmhouse style is another one of the most popular interior design trends – and it’s ideal if you like warmth, practicality, and comfort.
While this style tends to have a minimalistic interior, the ability to relax and unwind is important, so there are always plenty of cosy nooks to curl up in, with artistic elements and personal heirlooms to admire.
What’s great about this style is that there’s no need to have matching furniture or a theme that runs through the entire home. This design often incorporates many other styles (from Scandinavian to rustic), so each room can be distinct.
Merging the nostalgia of cosy farmhouses with cool minimalism, this design is about feeling at home while embracing natural elements.
14. Eclectic
If you like many interior design styles and can’t choose just one, you might like an eclectic design.
While this is similar to Bohemian, it borrows more freely from several other styles. It’s bold, creative, and high-energy, where anything goes. If that sounds like you, you’ll probably have fun playing around with different eclectic looks.
Contrasting colours, styles, and elements form the backbone of the eclectic style, with ideas being adapted to suit different spaces and purposes.
Fabrics, textures, and colours are crucial when creating different layers and looks – and there are no rules! White Scandinavian wool carpets can sit alongside colourful African prints, and zany wallpaper can hang above whitewashed wooden floors.
15. Coastal
If you’ve always dreamed of living by the ocean, you can create the illusion of seaside life by choosing a coastal interior design.
This themed style often features light, airy spaces that are decorated in a way that evokes the sea and shoreline. Colours are usually ocean-inspired, featuring plenty of blues, greens, turquoises, and teals – shades that come to life when hit by sunlight.
Floors and accents are often white-washed or painted in light tones, which helps keep the overall look neutral and warm rather than cool.
Nautical design elements like seashells and ropes can be used, but this is by no means necessary or even expected. While nautical design can feel a bit gimmicky, coastal interior design looks fresh, natural, and relaxing – making every day a day at the beach.
16. Mediterranean
Another variation of coastal interior design is Mediterranean, which is inspired by the sun-drenched landscapes of Greece, Spain, and Italy.
However, rather than focusing on coastal living, the Mediterranean style celebrates both indoor and outdoor living – featuring elements like interior sundecks, large windows, terracotta colours, and wood tones.
While we may not get the strong sunlight that Mediterranean countries enjoy, there are many ways to incorporate elements of this style into your home design. Rich wood tones are common features, as are reclaimed wood, linen, and wicker furniture.
Windows are often covered with sheer curtains, which encourages light to flood in, and colour palettes usually reflect the sky, sun, and sea.
17. Hollywood Regency
If you love glitz, glamour, and lavish styles, Hollywood Regency may be the interior design style for you.
This trend celebrates the romance and mystique of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and part of that is recreating the opulent houses of film stars of the time. However, you don’t have to be a millionaire movie star to bring this style to your home!
Hollywood Regency is influenced primarily by Art Deco, with elements of minimalism, modernism, bold geometric prints, and neoclassical motifs.
Luxurious materials like suede, marble, lacquer, and leather are popular – and glamour is injected with lots of mirrors and crystals. However, it’s also an eclectic style, drawing from many different designs, and is a fun, high-energy way to style your home.
18. Urban
If you like the cosmopolitan sensibilities of an industrial design but would rather your home look warm and cosy, urban design might be the ideal fit.
Uniting the best of industrial, modern, and contemporary designs, this style is a perfect harmony of gritty and boho. Unlike the more masculine aesthetics of industrialism, urban designs are balanced with feminine elegance.
Light colours, clean finishes, and Bohemian touches sit beside strong structural features and exposed industrial elements like brickwork or pipes. However, the addition of warm fabrics, comfy corners, and artistic indulgence makes it a far more versatile look.
Plus, because it gives you more of a blank canvas, it’s the ideal setting to showcase statement art pieces or any unusual items.
Final thoughts…
From stark minimalism to opulent Art Deco and eclectic, Bohemian designs, the beauty of interior design is that there’s a look for everyone.
There are no rules either, so while you may like the look of a coastal bathroom and an industrial kitchen, you might prefer to curl up in a modern farmhouse living room and relax in a shabby chic bedroom.
While renovating your entire home can be expensive, there are many small, thrifty ways you can give it some style. If you like the boho look, why not visit a flea market and pick up some colourful throws and cushions for your sofa, or a bright print to hang on your wall? If you like the Hollywood glamour style, try visiting a second-hand shop and buying some gilt mirrors or gold ornaments.
The good news is that style is about experimentation and creativity – not necessarily money!
If you’re looking for more tips, check out our interior design section. Here, we have articles like 10 affordable ways to improve your living space and 10 ways to bring more light into your home.
Do you have a favourite interior design style? Or maybe you have other tips for creating a stylish home? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.
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