27 Interior Design Styles You Should Know to Help You Decorate Like a Pro

Kristin Hohenadel has written on design for publications including the New York Times, Interior Design, Slate, Fast Company, and the international editions of Elle Decor.

Learn more about The Spruce’s Editorial Process

Published on 05/05/24

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When decorating your home, there are many different interior design styles to consider—from modern to traditional, contemporary, midcentury, bohemian design, Scandinavian, farmhouse, minimalist, eclectic, and more. Knowing how to identify the key elements and characteristics of popular interior design styles will help you to narrow down your options when searching for decor ideas. And it will make it easier to communicate the look and feel you want to achieve when collaborating with a partner or interior designer.

Here is a short guide to some of today’s most popular interior design styles to help you identify which style—or styles—most appeal to you.

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01of 27Modern Tina Ramchandani CreativeToday’s modern interiors have roots in modernism and 20th-century midcentury modern architecture and design. They borrow from the past to create spaces that feel current and livable.This may include white walls, light hardwood flooring, minimal window treatments to maximize natural light, and simple furniture with clean lines and neutral colors. But a modern interior can also be full of color, pattern, and texture depending on your taste.
02of 27Contemporary Maite Granda Contemporary homes refer to those that date from the late 20th century to the present day. A contemporary interior may feature clean lines and neutral palettes or bold color and decor.You can bring a contemporary aesthetic to a new build or an old house with contemporary furniture, art or wall decor, and features like large windows left bare or outfitted with simple window treatments to let in natural light. Sustainable design is a hallmark of contemporary interiors.
03of 27Midcentury Modern Erin Williamson DesignMidcentury modern is a 20th-century design style that is equal parts stylish and functional. Largely defined by a less-is-more philosophy, the most popular elements of midcentury modern design feature clean lines, wood finishes, an emphasis on maximizing natural light, and a connection to the outdoors.Midcentury modern furniture has become a staple in modern interiors that mixes well with other styles from industrial to bohemian design.
04of 27Minimalist Becca InteriorsMinimalist design is an influential 20th-century visual style with an established history in the realms of architecture, interiors, art, graphics, fashion, and virtually every other facet of design.A minimalist room has functional furniture, an optimized layout, built-in storage, clean lines, and a lack of superfluous decoration or ornamentation. Minimalist interior design is often monochromatic or uses a limited color palette, focusing on the use of varied textures and quality materials to create a warm and livable feel.Continue to 5 of 27 below
05of 27Modern Farmhouse Michelle Berwick DesignModern farmhouse is a persistent trend fueled by a nostalgia for an idealized simpler past that aims to make modern spaces feel cozy and livable. Modern farmhouse interiors include signature elements like warm wood finishes and furniture, industrial lighting fixtures, abundant windows to bring in natural light, and a neutral palette that may include white walls or wood paneling such as shiplap, beadboard, or board and batten.
06of 27Farmhouse Kate Marker InteriorsWhereas modern farmhouse finishes tend to be light, bright, and new, farmhouse style favors darker palettes and weathered materials like aged wood, original brick, exposed stone, and tile flooring. Features like wooden farm tables, fireplaces, and vintage lighting figure prominently in farmhouse interiors.
07of 27Eclectic Erin Williamson DesignAn eclectic interior combines styles and periods to create rule-breaking rooms that are personal and full of visual interest. Feel free to mix and match patterns, colors, forms, and finishes. Blend old and new furniture and decor for a layered feel. Decorate with global elements and unexpected pieces that tell a story only you can tell.
08of 27Japandi Desiree Burns InteriorsJapandi is a modern style that mixes Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics for a minimalist zen feel with a warm organic touch. Combine pale woods, sculptural furniture, soft textiles, and natural textiles to create a tranquil Japandi oasis that will make your home feel like a haven from the chaos of the world.Continue to 9 of 27 below
09of 27Industrial Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid RollsIndustrial-style interiors were originally inspired by the aesthetics of converted urban warehouse lofts that began in the 1960s. But this minimalist, neutral style has become a fixture everywhere from modern apartments to historic renovations and new-build suburban homes. While some industrial-style interiors still feature raw materials like concrete and metal, rough finishes like original brick walls, and details like exposed ductwork, industrial style is constantly evolving. Today industrial elements are often mixed with other styles such as midcentury modern and farmhouse to create hybrid rooms.
10of 27Industrial Farmhouse Design by Chango & Co. / Photo by Sarah ElliottIndustrial farmhouse is a popular hybrid decorating style that blends industrial and farmhouse home decor trends. A mix of hard and soft, old and new, and cold and warm finishes, textures, furniture, and decor, industrial farmhouse interiors are casual, comfortable spaces that are on-trend but timeless. They may feature modern farmhouse elements like white walls and light woods or incorporate darker tones and textured finishes such as aged metal and reclaimed wood that lean more heavily into farmhouse and industrial aesthetics.
11of 27Coastal Louis Duncan-He Designs / Photo by Heather DunbarCoastal style is a light and breezy modern aesthetic that is based around the escapist fantasy of living on the beach. Coastal interiors tend to focus on a limited palette of soft colors reminiscent of sand and sea, such as whites, grays, blues, and sandy tones.Natural materials like weathered wood and rattan, light fabrics like linen and cotton, plenty of natural light, and an airy and uncluttered feel give coastal interiors timeless and crowd-pleasing appeal that works anywhere.
12of 27Rustic Design by Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-TrampRustic style is cozy, unpretentious, and warm. The opposite of a modern or contemporary aesthetic, rustic interiors include natural materials and aged, well-worn finishes that give it a lived-in feel.A rustic-style space may include wood-paneled walls, wood-burning fireplaces, and vintage or antique furniture and finishes such as distressed painted wood dressers, trunks, or tables and aged copper or other metal fixtures. Log cabins are quintessentially rustic.Continue to 13 of 27 below
13of 27Traditional Becca InteriorsTraditional interior design is based largely on 18th- and 19th-century European styles and conventional Western notions of what a home looks like. The furniture, textiles, color palettes, and decor used in traditionally designed rooms reference history and are familiar rather than trend-setting. Elements such as four-poster beds, wooden chests of drawers, upholstered furniture, and landscape paintings are some examples of traditional decor.
14of 27Transitional Whittney Parkinson DesignTransitional interior design style mixes traditional and modern design elements to create a neutral, understated look that can work in both traditional or modern homes. Mixing furniture styles and periods is a hallmark of transitional style, which blends old and new in a low-contrast way, often uniting traditional forms with modern upholstery and using soft neutral color palettes for a unified look.
15of 27Modern Cottage Style Whittney Parkinson DesignModern cottage style is a cozy, welcoming, and nostalgic style trend that mixes traditional and farmhouse elements but gives them a slightly more romantic feel. Modern cottage aesthetics are largely inspired by English cottage style that mixes vintage and antique furniture, decor, and lighting with neutrals and soft pastel colors and floral or botanical patterns but with an often more clean-lined spin that suits current tastes and lifestyles.What Is Cottagecore? A Simple Guide to Adding This Trending Style to Your Home
16of 27French Country Marie Flanigan InteriorsFrench country interior design style is inspired by the charm of the French countryside. Equal parts rustic and chic, it incorporates neutral or soft earth-toned colors, natural materials such as wood, and a reverence for the simple beauty of everyday objects.French country interiors mix rustic features such as exposed brick or stone, classic fireplaces, wooden ceiling beams, textured wall finishes, and hardwood or tile flooring with elegant furniture and decor and vintage or antique elements for an authentic and timeless feel.Continue to 17 of 27 below
17of 27Hollywood Regency Forbes + MastersHollywood Regency Style (or Regency Moderne, or Hollywood Glam) is an American design style that was born in Hollywood, CA, during the Golden Age of cinema in the 20th century. This glamorous and maximalist style is characterized by elements such as gilded accents, bold jewel-tone colors, black-and-white checkerboard flooring, leopard prints, mirrored furniture, and sparkly chandeliers.
18of 27Coastal Farmhouse Becca Interiors Coastal farmhouse interiors mix two popular styles to create a homey and breezy mix. Blend coastal elements such as blue and white tones, weathered wood, and seascape paintings with farmhouse furniture and decor like shiplap wall paneling, rustic furniture, and leather and woven materials to give your interior a relaxed and livable feel.
19of 27Modern Organic Desiree Burns InteriorsModern organic interiors blend clean lines with natural shapes to create warm and inviting spaces. A modern organic room includes a juxtaposition between manmade and natural materials and finishes. It may include white walls, hardwood flooring, sculptural lighting and decor elements, and wood furniture with curved forms or live edge wood mixed with neutral textiles.
20of 27Scandinavian Fantastic FrankScandinavian interior design style is inspired the streamlined aesthetics of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. It focuses on neutral palettes, clean lines, wood furniture and finishes, and cozy touches. Today, Scandi style is often mixed with other interior design styles such as Moroccan and Bohemian, and has become one of the most popular interior design styles in many countries around the world.
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21of 27Maximalist Maite GrandaMaximalist design is the opposite of minimalist design, embracing a more-is-more approach that includes a mix of colors, patterns, textures, and design styles. A maximalist room may feature an abundance of decor objects, layered textiles, and furniture and decor from various periods and aesthetics.Create a maximalist interior that is vibrant and livable rather than chaotic and cluttered with creative displays such as a gallery wall of art or a modern-day curio cabinet to house a collection.
22of 27Bohemian Design K Shan DesignBohemian style has evolved into a modern day trend that describes a freespirited and lighthearted approach to home decor. Today’s boho-style interiors may be light, neutral, and decorated with plants, woven wall hangings, and wicker furniture. Or they can be colorful and dramatic, full of mixed patterns, global accents, and eccentric touches.Mix and match styles and combine old and new elements to create a casual and inviting ambiance at home.
23of 27Mediterranean Desiree Burns InteriorsMediterranean-style interior design is a minimalist-chic approach to decorating inspired by the aesthetics of the countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, notably Italy, Spain, and Greece. Emphasizing its connection to the outdoors, Mediterranean interiors favor natural materials and finishes, arched architectural features, and nature-inspired colors with white and black accents.Sculptural decor objects and natural greenery such as potted olive trees complement a Mediterranean decor scheme.
24of 27Moroccan Soufiane AissouniMoroccan interior design style is inspired by the traditional aesthetics and culture of Morocco. Convivial spaces that are built for gathering with friends and family, Moroccan design is known for its vivid color, bold patterns, and sculptural hand-crafted decor made from natural materials. Objects such as Berber rugs, leather poufs, perforated metal pendant lighting, and handira wedding blankets have become signature elements of modern interiors everywhere.Moroccan decor elements mix well with midcentury modern, industrial, Scandinavian, and other popular styles.Continue to 25 of 27 below
25of 27Art Deco Forbes + MastersArt Deco is a polished 20th-century style that emerged in the 1920s and has had a renaissance in homes and boutique hotels in recent years. Art Deco style is characterized by a use of geometric shapes, stylized curves, atmospheric lighting, and luxe materials like marble and velvet. Bold colors such as red, yellow, green, blue, and pink, as well as metallic finishes like chrome and brass figure frequently in Art Deco interiors.
26of 27Shabby Chic Becca InteriorsShabby chic is a 1980s trend that mixes influences from French Country to vintage, cottage, and Scandinavian to create a homey style full of comfy furniture, weathered finishes, and romantic accents. This can mean anything from overstuffed couches to wrought iron chandeliers, mixed florals, and skirted furniture or bed frames.Today’s shabby chic interiors tend to be more streamlined than the rooms of the 1980s, with simple window treatments and less embellishment to give them a timeless feel.
27of 27Retro Dazey DenRetro interior design style is a modern riff on the signature looks of times past. Unlike vintage style, which represents decor and furniture that is between roughly 20 and 100 years old, retro style channels trends from various eras to create derivative modern interiors that pay homage to the past.A retro interior may include a kitchen finished with vintage-style tile countertops or retro-style appliances that are fresh off the assembly line but look like they could have been there since the 1950s.