Interior Design Styles

When it comes to interior design styles, give yourself the permission to think outside the box. There are so many wonderful ways to define who you are by creating a magnificent living space. Allow yourself to be creative. Be stylish.

Most people tend to play it safe and think that good design is primarily about matching up colors and tones. Be creative with your home interior design styles, find ways to be individual and do not be afraid to give up the good for the great. Interior Designipedia is solution orientated for each of your design projects and is constantly growing and being updated.

Be inspired by places that you've been, styles that you've seen in either magazines or on t.v. and then try them out in your home with confidence.

As with any specific style, you run the risk of your home looking over themed instead of tasteful and interesting. Take elements of your preferred style and develop your design so that you avoid over doing it. Too much of a good thing can be quite literally 'too much'.

-the HOW TO section will help guide you.

Begin with taking a good look around your home, take it all in and decide what it is that you would really love to change and then set about building your redesign. Put your energy into looking at all sorts of interior design styles and then make mood boards. A mood board is a great way to help you work out your ideas, interior design styles and concepts.

-click here for lots of info on how to make your mood boards: MOOD BOARD

It is not often that I will specifically 'theme' a design project but each client is different and has a unique design brief. Have a look at the lego apartment in the image below. 20,000 pieces were used!

If a client loves art deco interior design then I would usually find art deco objects already in their home and those objects would be my starting point of inspiration. Having some knowledge of interior design styles will help you progress.

Perhaps your preferred interior design styles are more eclectic and would go for a look that may have a mix of Italian interior design, vintage and minimalistic design. My answer to that is good... great, BUT do it well and create a slick, functional home that looks amazing.

You can do it and it is important to remember that you are worth it so apply inspiration and motivation into your project. You may design your home around contemporary interior design but decide that you would like your living room in the concept of vintage interior design. This would create an old meets new space so just prepare well in order to have your ideas look awesome.

I often create great spaces mashing interiors design styles together and you can do it too. Collect your influences and ideas together and have fun designing your home. Make each of your selections work well so that you enjoy living in your creations.

Below is a list of interior design styles which I have put together for you.

Understanding what each concept represents should help you make some of your all important design decisions.

I have simplified the information so you can use it for quick reference however a click on the highlighted area for each style will take you to a new page so that you can learn more about that particular style and how to achieve that concept within your own home.

CONCEPTS:

AMERICAN: There are 4 distinct 'American' interior design styles.

1. American Colonial Style focuses on function and practicality and is still popular today.

click here: colonial

2. Southwestern Style often in incorporates a bold color palette and light colored wood.

click here: southwestern

3. Shaker Style is simplistic and furniture is made from quality wood.

click here: shaker

4. Patriotic Style themes include the American flag, American icons and American retro.

click here: patriotic

ARTS AND CRAFTS: the arts and crafts style flourished between 1860 to 1910. This movement was made up of a group of designers and writers from England, UK. They produced high quality, well made, handcrafted goods which were costly.

ART NOUVEAU: from 1880 to around 1910 art nouveau was in full swing and it is said to be the first 20th Century modern style as it was the first style to look to nature and the surrounding world instead of backwards in history. Many people confuse art nouveau with art deco interior design however they are very different styles.

ART DECO: Art deco interior design represents a period between 1908 through till 1935. This style particularly began in Paris and worked its way through Europe and then globally.

ARABIAN: Arabian interior design is a magnificent blend of color, pattern and personality. It encompasses the rich, vibrancy of tones found in the desert with complex designs.

1. Modern Arabia

2. Bedouin Arabia

ASIAN: Asian interior design reflects materials and finishes from the East. This design style is typical of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and China.

BRITISH: there is many styles to celebrate British interior design however, I am going to focus on two of them, Cool Britannia and Shabby Chic.

Cool Britannia is British interior design, styled around patriotism and in the 1990's the phrase 'shabby chic' was coined to describe the modern laid-back style. 'Shabby' refers to older, lived in or secondhand objects that have a distressed look about them, but not overly damaged. 'Chic' applies to objects which are old but definitely worth keeping.

1. Cool Britannia interiors: For the lowdown and ins and outs on British interior design click here: COOL BRITANNIA

2. Shabby Chic interiors: for the fun, eclectic style click here: SHABBY CHIC

CONTEMPORARY: contemporary interior design became popular in America in the 50's and early 60's just as travel by aircraft became accessible. The look has either straight lines or beautifully curved. Literally this style relates to what is current, happening now and is reflected in today's design and in fashion design. Contemporary interior design works with most, if not all interior design styles.

FRENCH: typical French interior design is fairly classical. It can be both sophisticated and elegant or over opulent and dramatic.

GOTHIC: When I think about Gothic interior design, I am transported fully into another world, of another time. Life in the Middle Ages was very different to our modern world and therefore the blend of this period with some modern influences can be extremely interesting. 1150-c.1500 and revived again in the late 18th and early 19th century.

INDIAN: Indian interior design styles are warm and earthy. They have an exotic appeal and hold a magical look with the use of harmonized colors.

INDUSTRIAL: Industrial interior design is the combination of art and engineering to make life 'easier'. Lots of high tech gadgets!

ITALIAN: Italian interior design is modern and has a look of luxury about it. When I think of this style I think of all the great Italian designers like Scarpa, Sottsass or the much loved fashion designer Armani. Italy has produced and continues to produce world trendsetting designers so it is near impossible to go wrong choosing this style as your concept.

JAPANESE: Japanese interior design is simplistic and pretty streamlined in both layout and finishes. This style is the defining influence on all modern day minimalism.

MEDIEVAL: Medieval interior design comes from the period in European history 1000 - c.1550. This concept is basic and not too far away from Rustic interior design.

MINIMALISM: minimalistic interior design is certainly chic when put together well. The clean lines and open spaces allow you to enjoy simplicity at its very best.

MOROCCAN: the Moroccan look is rich in spice colors and is influenced by Spanish, French and Arabic interior design. Beautiful patterns fill the spaces along with textures and aromas.

NAUTICAL: the look of nautical interior design is very much that of the seaside and beach front. Think New Hampshire and you would be on the right track.

RETRO: retro interior design covers 3 decades; 50's, 60's and 70's. The look is varied, from plastic fantastic, disposable and low maintenance to psychedelia. The influences were the boom of advertising, flower power, pop music and pop art.

-1950's: retro 50's

-1960's: retro 60's

-1970's: retro 70's

RUSTIC: to achieve a rustic home interior design that looks great you can mix elements of it in with a contemporary interior design so your home does not become too much like a log cabin. This mix can be very striking and interesting. Rustic design emphasizes on natural, unrefined elements and objects.

SCANDINAVIAN: there are two interior design styles that are Scandinavian design. The first is modern and the other is country.

1. Scandinavian Modern began in 1930 and is present today. It is born from the basic principles of modernism fused with traditional materials and can have the look of contemporary interior design. IKEA is the worldwide phenomenon of this style.

Click here: modern

2. Scandinavian Country style originated in the 17th Century and lasted until the late 19th Century. The look is that of a farmhouse and the main material is light colored wood.

Click here: country

SPANISH: touches of Arabic design are mixed with bold, beautiful colors and shapes are found within Spanish interior design styles. Rustic walls of plaster or stucco finish look fantastic.

TUSCAN: the Tuscan style originates from Tuscany, Italy and embodies the calm, serene nature of the Italian countryside. It is simple, elegant and has a sense of luxury.

VICTORIAN: the Victorian era from 1837 to 1901 saw many great changes within homes since mass production meant that goods became more affordable. People began to take great pride in the look of their homes which they saw as a reflection of status. Plump cushions and excessive ornamentation lead the way for this style.

VINTAGE: Vintage interior design refers to the 1940's and early 50's. It is an era that most people remember either from their own childhood, or from the homes of grandparents. Therefore vintage is wonderfully nostalgic and feels comforting in a family home.

ZEN: zen interior design is based on zen principles of light, space and function and when applied to the home can give you a more relaxed and peaceful state of mind. The approach is minimalistic and uses the bare essentials within a home and each item has its own purpose. The best colors to build your look upon are earth tones that are warm and uplifting.