Whether you’re planning to give your home a complete makeover, or you just enjoy making a few tweaks here and there, it can be tricky to know where to start when it comes to decorating your home.
Interior design is bigger than ever and there are dozens of different styles to choose from – some of which are entirely unique.
So, if you’re struggling to figure out what your ideal aesthetic is, you might want to familiarise yourself with some of the most popular styles.
To help you out, 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 cosiness – but this isn’t true.
Minimalism is about simple, streamlined design and neutral colours, and embracing fuss-free functionality rather than excess. Furniture is elegant and comfortable, and accessories and adornments usually serve a dual purpose, rather than being there just to look pretty.
Minimalist 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 and so concealed storage, hushed colours, and plenty of natural light are important too.
2. Contemporary
The contemporary style can be rather difficult to describe because, by definition, it doesn’t refer to a certain style or look but the designs that are currently on trend.
What was a contemporary look 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 speaking, however, contemporary designs feature a mix of old and new styles. When compared to modern or mid-century designs, contemporary styles are more flexible. They borrow certain elements from other styles while still having lots of freedom and flexibility, and aren’t boxed into trying to achieve a very specific look or feel.
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 just a mix of bright colours, lush fabrics, and vintage furniture that somehow perfectly work together.
The boho style is often a celebration of different cultures and countries, and is often 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 takes inspiration from the 18th and 19th centuries, and while historic European decor has a strong influence, there are often modern twists too.
It’s easy to use a traditional design as your 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 timeless art are often used to add warmth, personality, and intimacy.
5. Transitional
If you like elements of both traditional and contemporary styles, then transitional could be the perfect interior aesthetic for you.
Transitional designs fuse traditional and contemporary designs – 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 look a bit impersonal or cold, and 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 colours tend to be used as statement pieces.
Clean lines, simple architecture, minimalistic ornamentation, and lots of texture are all hallmarks of the transitional style.
6. Rustic
Rustic interior design is all about balancing classic simplicity with natural elements and is inspired by the outdoors.
Materials are often raw and natural; featuring plenty of wood, exposed stone and brick, leather, iron, and natural fibres. Warmth is added by including soft textiles, like cosy sofas, plush armchairs, and woolly rugs and blankets. Furniture is usually dark, sturdy, and classic. Weathered looks are also popular when it comes to rustic furniture.
Rustic designs bring together the best of classic contemporary with warmth and cosiness, so it’s unsurprising that this look is just as popular in cities as it is in country homes. Ambient lighting is important too, whether it’s 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 which are 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 furnishing, 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 first became popular 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 somehow, along the way, it became associated with ‘granny decor’.
However, this belief certainly isn’t correct. 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 trademarks of shabby chic, and the end result is a look that’s romantic, welcoming, and soft.
9. Scandinavian
Scandinavian design has become one of the most popular modern aesthetics in recent years 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 contains plenty of warm, personal touches. While colour palettes are composed of cool, neutral colours (like greys, blues, blacks, and whites), textures are toned and restful, including plenty of throws and rugs, and colourful artwork.
Furniture is often rounded too, which makes what could be a severe space look more relaxed.
10. Mid-century modern
Mid-century modern is another one of the most popular and pervasive interior design styles of all time.
This aesthetic first gained popularity after the Second World War, during a time 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 hugely popular 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 was suddenly on 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 on style.
Originally considered more of a masculine style, the industrial look can be tailored to personal preferences – 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, 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 the Art Deco style is bold and glamorous, it’s also about balance, and there’s plenty of order and symmetry to be found in this design.
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 is a style that’s 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 cushy nooks and corners to curl up in – as well as 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 Scandi to rustic), so each room can have a distinct look.
Merging the nostalgia of cosy farmhouses with cool minimalism, this design is all about feeling at home while embracing natural elements as much as possible.
14. Eclectic
If you like a lot of different interior design styles and don’t want to pick just one, you might want to go for an eclectic design.
While this design is similar to Bohemian, it borrows more freely from a whole range of other styles. It’s a bold, creative, high-energy look, where anything goes – so if that sounds like you, you’ll probably have lots of fun playing around with different eclectic looks!
Contrasting colours, styles, and elements form the backbone of the eclectic look, with ideas being adapted to suit different spaces and purposes.
Fabrics, textures, and colours are crucial when it comes to 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 wanted to live by the ocean, you can create the illusion of seaside living by choosing a coastal interior design.
This themed style usually features light, airy spaces that are decorated in a way that evokes the sea and the 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.
Rather than focusing on coastal living, the Mediterranean style celebrates both indoor and outdoor living – featuring things 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 you can incorporate elements of this style in your own home. 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, then Hollywood Regency may be the interior design style for you.
This is a trend that’s all about celebrating 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 elements of this style to your own home.
Hollywood Regency is influenced primarily by the Art Deco style, 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 crystal. 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, then urban might be the ideal fit.
Uniting the best of industrial, modern, and contemporary designs, this style is the 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 make 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 unusual items.
Final thoughts…
From stark minimalism to opulent Art Deco and eclectic, Bohemian designs, the beauty of interior design is that there really is 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 style bedroom.
While doing up your whole home can be expensive, there are also many small, thrifty ways you can add style to your home.
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 Hollywood glamour, you could visit a second-hand shop to pick up some gilt mirrors or gold ornaments.
The good news is that whether it’s clothes or home decor, style is about experimentation and creativity – not necessarily money!
You might like to check out the interior design section of our website for more tips. 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 style tips for creating a stylish home? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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