Introduction: Modern Design is Changing

Interior design trends are shifting fast: in the past decade, we’ve moved away from neutral beiges, greys, and hotel-like spaces lacking personality. Today’s designs embrace personal character, breaking traditional “rules” by blending favorite retro themes, neo-maximalist decor, and eclectic art. Modern interiors now borrow from historical styles, combining vintage elements with contemporary standards to keep spaces fresh yet functional.

As we enter the 2020s, styles have grown fluid, encouraging unique, personal touches. This guide explores the defining design styles of recent decades, from timeless favorites to emerging trends, each offering a distinct way to make your home reflect who you are.

Styles Covered In This Guide
  • Traditional – Timeless elegance with classic furniture and refined details.
  • Transitional – A balanced blend of classic and modern, bridging old and new elements.
  • French Country – Rustic charm featuring soft colors and antique touches.
  • Colonial Revival – American heritage-inspired, with symmetry and historical elements.
  • Modern Minimalist – Clean lines and simplicity, focused on functionality and open spaces.

  • Mid-Century Modern – Iconic design with sleek lines, organic shapes, and a retro touch.

  • Modern Farmhouse – Cozy and functional, blending rustic elements with modern finishes.

  • Nordic & Scandinavian Inspired – Light, airy, and cozy, natural textures, soft color palettes.

  • Nordic/Japanese Mixed Styles – “Japandi” blend, combining minimalist warmth with Scandinavian and Japanese influences.
  • Eclectic & Boho-Chic – Colorful with a mix of textures, patterns, and cultural elements.

  • Neo-Maximalist – Bold and vibrant, with layered decor, rich colors, unique statement pieces.

  • Art Deco Revival – Glamorous, featuring geometric patterns, metallic accents, and rich materials.

Classic + Traditional Styles

Traditional Style

Traditional design embodies timeless elegance and classical beauty, rooted in historical influences. Its focus on rich details and ornate furniture creates a refined and sophisticated atmosphere that speaks to a sense of permanence and tradition.

Notable Designers: Bunny Williams, Thomas Pheasant, Timothy Corrigan

Traditional Design

Common Themes & Features:

  • Rich wood tones (mahogany, cherry)
  • Intricate moldings and millwork
  • Ornate furniture, often antique or antique-inspired
  • Symmetrical layouts
  • Formal arrangements and balanced spaces

Design Tips:

  • Incorporate symmetrical furniture arrangements for a formal feel.
  • Use rich fabrics like velvet or silk for upholstery.
  • Opt for detailed millwork, such as crown moldings or paneled walls, to elevate the space.

Examples:

Transitional Style

Transitional design merges the best of traditional elegance and contemporary comfort. By balancing the two, it offers flexibility in creating spaces that feel both timeless and current, making it appealing to a wide audience.

Notable Designers: Candice Olson, Nate Berkus, Tobi Fairley

Transitional Design

Common Themes & Features:

  • Neutral palettes
  • Clean lines mixed with classic elements
  • Blend of modern and traditional furniture pieces
  • Minimal yet sophisticated decor

Design Tips:

  • Use neutral colors for walls and fabrics, allowing flexibility for decorative accents.
  • Mix traditional wood furniture with modern metallic accessories.
  • Focus on clean, uncluttered surfaces with a touch of ornate detail.

Examples:

French Country Style

French Country style blends rustic charm with an elegant flair. Drawing inspiration from the French countryside, it utilizes distressed wood, natural materials, and soft color palettes to evoke a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere.

Notable Designers: Charles Faudree, Rachel Ashwell, Joelle Nesen

French Country Design

Common Themes & Features:

  • Soft, muted color palettes (creams, light blues, warm pastels)
  • Distressed wood finishes and natural materials
  • Curved furniture with antique accents
  • Floral prints and intricate patterns

Design Tips:

  • Incorporate distressed wooden furniture for an authentic rustic touch.
  • Use soft pastel colors to create a light and airy feel.
  • Add floral curtains or upholstery for a cozy, French countryside vibe.

Examples:

Colonial Revival Style

Colonial Revival is inspired by early American history and emphasizes craftsmanship and traditional detailing. The style often features dark wood furniture, historical motifs, and details like brass and wrought iron accents, offering a nod to the past while remaining adaptable.

Notable Designers: Gil Schafer, Thomas O’Brien, Steven Gambrel

Colonial Revival Design

Common Themes & Features:

  • Dark wood furniture (walnut, oak)
  • Historical motifs
  • Brass or wrought iron hardware
  • Crown molding and paneled walls

Design Tips:

  • Use crown molding and paneled walls to emphasize the traditional feel.
  • Opt for historically inspired furniture pieces to create a sense of nostalgia.
  • Incorporate brass accents in lighting fixtures or hardware.

Examples:

Minimalist Style

Minimalism emphasizes simplicity and functionality, focusing on clean lines and uncluttered spaces. The “less is more” ethos drives this design style, creating a serene environment with intentional negative space.

Notable Designers: John Pawson, Axel Vervoordt, Vincent Van Duysen

Modern Minimalist Design

Common Themes & Features:

  • Clean and uncluttered look
  • Monochromatic or neutral palettes
  • Streamlined, functional furniture
  • Open space and intentional use of negative space

Design Tips:

  • Choose furniture with simple, clean lines to keep the space feeling open.
  • Stick to a neutral color palette, using accents sparingly for impact.
  • Eliminate excess decor and prioritize functional items.

Examples:

Mid-Century Modern Style

Mid-Century Modern is known for its iconic furniture pieces, organic shapes, and focus on functionality. It integrates natural elements and embraces an indoor-outdoor flow, reflecting a playful use of color and natural materials.

Notable Designers: Charles Eames, Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Florence Knoll

Mid-Century Modern Design

Common Themes & Features:

  • Iconic furniture pieces (e.g., Eames chair)
  • Organic shapes and clean lines
  • Rich wood tones paired with playful colors (mustard yellow, olive green, turquoise)
  • Indoor-outdoor connections + Natural light

Design Tips:

  • Use iconic furniture pieces to add authenticity to your space.
  • Integrate natural elements like plants to enhance the indoor-outdoor flow.
  • Experiment with playful colors for accent walls or decor pieces.

Examples:

Modern Farmhouse Style

Modern Farmhouse blends rustic and contemporary elements, using materials like shiplap, reclaimed wood, and stainless steel to create a cozy but polished environment. It’s a fresh take on the traditional farmhouse style, making it more adaptable for modern living.

Notable Designers: Joanna Gaines, Leanne Ford, Jean Stoffer

Modern Farmhouse Design

Common Themes & Features:

  • Rustic wood combined with contemporary finishes
  • Neutral color schemes, often featuring shiplap and barn doors
  • Cozy atmosphere with modern, clean touches

Design Tips:

  • Incorporate shiplap on walls to evoke a farmhouse feel.
  • Use barn doors as a statement piece that combines rustic and modern.
  • Blend reclaimed wood furniture with modern light fixtures.

Examples:

Nordic Design Styles

Nordic or Scandinavian-inspired design is all about simplicity, functionality, and coziness. It incorporates clean lines, muted colors, and natural materials to create light, airy spaces that are uncluttered yet warm and inviting.

Notable Designers: Hans Wegner, Alvar Aalto, Ilse Crawford

Nordic & Scandinavian
Inspired Design

Common Themes & Features:

  • Light wood tones
  • Muted color palettes (whites, grays, and pastels)
  • Functional, uncluttered furniture
  • Cozy textiles (wool, cotton)

Design Tips:

  • Use light wood flooring to create a spacious, airy feel.
  • Keep decor minimal and focus on functionality.
  • Add cozy elements, such as throws and rugs, to soften the clean lines.

Examples:

“Japandi” Style

Japandi is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian design aesthetics, emphasizing minimalism, natural materials, and craftsmanship. It seeks to balance warmth and simplicity, blending the coziness of Scandinavian hygge with the serenity of Japanese wabi-sabi.

Notable Designers: Norm Architects, Wataru Kumano, Lars Tornøe

Nordic/Japanese Mixed Styles

Common Themes & Features:

  • Warm neutrals and natural wood tones
  • Clean lines and uncluttered spaces
  • Combination of Scandinavian coziness with Japanese elegance
  • Emphasis on craftsmanship

Design Tips:

  • Choose low, minimalist furniture pieces to create a sense of openness.
  • Combine light and dark natural wood tones for contrast.
  • Add simple, organic decor elements to highlight natural beauty.

Examples:

Stylized, Unique, or Niche Design Styles

Eclectic & Boho-Chic Style

Eclectic and Boho-Chic styles blend various influences, incorporating vibrant colors, layered textures, and personal items to create a unique and individualized space. The emphasis is on self-expression, with an inviting mix of the old and the new.

Notable Designers: Justina Blakely, Kelly Wearstler, Amber Lewis

Eclectic & Boho-Chic Designs

Common Themes & Features:

  • Bold use of patterns, textiles, and colors
  • Mixture of furniture styles and collected pieces
  • Biophilic elements, such as houseplants

Design Tips:

  • Layer rugs and textiles for a cozy, collected feel.
  • Use vibrant colors and patterns to reflect your personality.
  • Incorporate a mix of vintage and new furniture for an eclectic touch.

Examples:

Neo-Maximalism

Neo-Maximalism emphasizes bold self-expression through vibrant colors, luxurious textures, and an abundance of decor. It’s about creating a visually rich space that reflects personality and passion, with an emphasis on curated collections.

Notable Designers: Sasha Bikoff, Jonathan Adler, Miles Redd

Neo-Maximalist Designs

Common Themes & Features:

  • Bold colors and prints
  • Luxurious materials like velvet and silk
  • Heavy on decor and personal collections

Design Tips:

  • Use statement wallpapers or bold paint colors for accent walls.
  • Opt for plush, luxurious materials to add a touch of glamour.
  • Showcase collections of personal items or art for a curated feel.

Examples:

Art Deco Revival

Art Deco Revival is a contemporary twist on the classic Art Deco style, characterized by bold geometric shapes, lavish materials, and vibrant colors. This style brings the glamour and opulence of the 1920s and 1930s into modern interiors, creating a luxurious and striking environment.

Notable Designers: Kelly Hoppen, Greg Natale, Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Art Deco Revival Designs

Common Themes & Features:

  • Geometric patterns
  • Lavish materials like brass, marble, and glass
  • Bold jewel tones such as emerald green, sapphire blue, and gold accents
  • Luxurious and glamorous aesthetics

Design Tips:

  • Use bold geometric patterns for wallpaper or flooring.
  • Incorporate lavish materials like brass and marble for an opulent touch.
  • Add jewel-toned accents to enhance the glam feel.

Examples:

About the Author: David Perrotti

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, is a Bestselling Home Improvement Author on Amazon, and constantly seeks to reinvent the remodeling industry. As a veteran of the Army and Air Force, Dave operates his business, Fine Home Contracting, on the core army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.

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