The first section of our comprehensive list of styles covers some of the most popular aesthetics with iconic features in both architecture and furniture design.
Abstract
Much like expressionist abstract art, abstract home design focuses on unique architectural elements, such as asymmetrical doorways and home furnishings. It’s similar to modern or contemporary design in that it utilizes clean lines, though abstract style also incorporates chaotic aspects to offer a fresh and unique perspective. This interior design lends itself to bold colors like yellows, blues and oranges. Black is used as a contrasting element to create a striking statement. Tables, chairs and sofas have clean lines, but much like the entirety of the abstract style, these furniture pieces are asymmetrical. Lighting also features simple lines and borrows from a modern aesthetic. You might see a geometric diamond-shaped pendant that casts abstract lighting throughout the interior.
African
African interior design is inspired by nature and utilizes natural shapes, textures and finishes. This exotic style celebrates the imperfections of hardwoods, reeds and stone in its minimalist handmade furnishings. The palette typically has rich warm colors like burgundy, burnt orange and deep brown earth tones with textured soft beige, cream or white painted walls. Floors are often sandstone, terracotta or stained concrete with sisal or jute rugs.
Much of African furniture is made from ebony, mahogany or cedar woods, or rattan with patterned ikat fabric, kuba cloth or leather upholstery. Chair seats and backs may also be made from braided grasses. Animal hides like zebra or cheetah are often used to highlight the importance of wildlife in African culture. Triplolina Chairs (a.k.a. butterfly chairs) with decorative mudcloth slings are signature seats in this aesthetic. Accents include handwoven baskets, bolga fans, carved wooden bowls and ritual masks, stone artifacts and soft-shaped poufs.
American Colonial
This early American style combines traditional and rustic home design with historically inspired elements. The aesthetic draws on styles and trends from the 1600s to the 1800s with subdued muted colors, and vintage finishes like oil-rubbed bronze. Fabrics and wallpaper feature a toile design popular during the colonial era. Furniture is handmade and inspired by the early American frontier. Each table and chair goes through a custom-made process in which intricate carvings and design elements like flourishes are imprinted. Woods typically used to construct furniture include maple, elm, hickory and cherry. Brass knobs and handles are added to cabinets, drawers and armoires for an added touch of sophistication. Handcrafted brass and copper lanterns, chandeliers and wall sconces give an old-world feel to American Colonial interiors.
Amish
Just like the lifestyle of the Amish people, this home design aesthetic is modest and simple with an emphasis on functionality. Similar to Mission and Shaker, Amish furniture relies on the woodworking of craftsmen to build kitchen cabinetry and other utilitarian home features. Homes are often filled with neutral tones, such as grays, blacks, whites and browns. Wood furnishings are used throughout and are warm contrasts to the otherwise subdued color palette. Amish furniture is recognizable thanks to unique arched crown molding and overlay doors and drawers. Tables, chairs, sofas and armoires typically feature flared base legs and are made of solid wood like cherry and oak. Gaslight fixtures are popular in Amish homes. Authentic materials such as iron, copper and tin are used to craft pendants and wall sconces.
Arabian
Arabian home design exudes luxury and elegance by combining lush materials, bold colors like turquoise, and ornate patterns. Mixing and matching various textures and materials, such as metal light fixtures, velvet couches, wood tables and glass decor, produces a charming and enticing effect in sitting rooms or bedrooms. Mosaic patterns are frequently implemented into area rugs, curtains and wallpaper to create a decorative appearance. Neutrals are the base of Arabian interiors, and ornate colors like gold, silver, turquoise, pink and bronze add personality and whimsy to the space. Set the mood with hanging metallic pendants engraved with an intricate pattern to cast a beautiful pattern onto the walls. Chairs and sofas are upholstered with luxurious materials like silk and velvet. Wood pieces like tables and cabinets are intricately detailed to provide a regal appearance.
Art Deco
Inspired by French art and design from the 1920s, art deco (short for arts decoratifs) is characterized by sleek, metallic finishes like stainless steel, glass and chrome. Unlike vintage style, which highlights floral patterns, rugs and linens feature graphic prints such as zigzags, sunbursts, animal prints and geometric shapes. Art Deco-inspired homes are defined by furniture and wall art with jagged, pointed edges. Pieces are also larger – generously sized chairs, armoires, dressers and couches are all typical of the 1920s. Light fixtures are just as structured as the decor and furniture. They’re typically made of sleek, shiny materials like polished bronze, chrome or steel.
Bold geometric patterns are frequently printed on wall sconces, ceiling mounts and lamps. Other angular designs like chevrons and zigzags adorn light fixtures. Great examples of Art Deco architecture can be found in the historic district in Miami Beach, Florida where this whimsical style is embraced by many small hotels built in the mid-1920s to early 1940s [Curtis 1982]. Prominent Art Deco designers include Le Corbusier, Eileen Gray, Rene Lalique, Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann and A.M. Cassandre.
Art Moderne
This mid-century style combines modernity with idealistic minimalism. Unlike angular art deco, art moderne (a.k.a. streamline moderne) designs are tapered, rounded and have a more horizontal emphasis. Frequently, they are adorned with parallel “flow” or “speed” lines [Cogdell 2010]. Art Moderne homes feature an all-white color palette and rely on smooth surfaces with little decorative detailing. Doorways, windows and other architectural elements come with curved corners. Raw, natural textures such as metal, terra cotta tile, concrete and glass are all mixed and matched throughout the home. The key to art moderne is simplicity – decorative patterns are scarce. Instead, solid neutrals help to make a strong statement.
Furniture is stripped down and typically emulates a sense of motion with pieces like tiered tables. Chairs and sofas also have rounded edges and use contrasting material colors like black and white. Surfaces are glossy to give the furniture a modern feel. Floor and table lamps are popular light fixtures in the art moderne style. These lamps commonly feature frosted glass and shades are circular and made of glass. Prominent Art Moderne designers include Raymond Loewy, Paul Frankl, Norman Bel Geddes and Gilbert Rohde
Art Nouveau
The Art Nouveau home design style is similar to Art Deco in that it features decorative detailing combined with contemporary characteristics. However, this aesthetic is defined by flowing lines, rather than strict, geometric shapes. Door and window frames and furniture all have elegantly curved edges with subtle undulations to exaggerated fantastical contours. Its symbols and motifs are abstracted from organic vegetation and “a repertoire of biomorphic forms; much of its imagery is directly or obliquely feminine” [Banham 1997]. Other common elements of art nouveau design include floral patterns, stained glass windows, oriental rugs and wrought iron light fixtures and staircase railings. Typical lighting is made of hand-blown glass or semi-precious stones and incorporates natural elements like vines, birds, branches and florals. Prominent Art Nouveau Designers include Hector Guimard, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Louis Majorelle and Carlo Bugatti.
Artisan
Warm colors, rugged textures and rustic finishes are all included in artisan home design. Materials and finishes are all high quality and embraced for their craftsmanship and detail. Rich wood cabinets, oil-rubbed bronze faucets and hammered surfaces all play a role in creating an artisan home. Rugs and fabrics feature floral and colorfully abstract patterns – similar to what you might find in a traditional home. Furniture can be characterized by fine workmanship that isn’t overly ornate and typically reflects the identity or ethnicity of the maker. The same idea is applied to unique light fixtures. Artisan homes can feature anything from handcrafted pendant chandeliers to a table lamp with a blown glass vase. Since the entire process is done painstakingly carefully by hand, each piece of furniture and lighting is a near one-of-a-kind.
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts home design borrows interior elements from several styles, including art nouveau and artisan. This design movement arose in response to the mass production of global industrialization. It celebrated the nobility of the traditional craftsman, who imbued each piece with uniqueness and humanity absent in mechanized production. In contrast to historical revival styles, furniture in the Arts & Crafts aesthetic tends to embrace a more stern, straightforward form [Rodel 2003]. Handcrafted furniture, rich wood trim made of oak or mahogany, along with stained glass and ceramic backsplash tile are all items that make up this interior motif.
Imbued with naturalism, this style has a color palette that is typically earth-inspired and includes dusty oranges, browns, taupes and sage greens. Another key to Arts & Crafts style is built-in elements. Kitchen cabinets, bookcases, shelving, benches and light fixtures are typically built into the walls to blend well with the architecture and create unity throughout the home. Lighting is usually made up of warm tones like hammered copper or bronze. Prominent Arts & Crafts designers include William Morris, Gustav Stickley, Charles Robert Ashbee and Richard Barry Parker.
Asian
A subset of contemporary style, Asian interiors focus on clean, sleek lines and striking shapes – and often give off a peaceful, serene feel. In Asian-style homes, you’ll notice a reference to nature, with rooms containing pebble backsplashes, decorative greenery and stone sinks. There’s also an emphasis on natural design elements like wood and concrete tile. Because Asian-inspired homes focus on cleanliness and serenity, multi-purpose furniture is often used to disguise storage, which makes it an effective style for small spaces. Ottomans and benches that open up to reveal space for organization are common in Asian households. Sofas and chairs are adorned with silk pillows in various colors and patterns. Light fixtures are equally as sleek and practical as furniture. Table lamps, complete with intricate patterns, are the perfect accessory for any room in the home.
Guide Sections
References
- Curtis, J. R. (1982). Art deco architecture in Miami Beach. Journal of Cultural Geography, 3(1), 51-63.
- Cogdell, C. (2010). Eugenic design: Streamlining America in the 1930s. University of Pennsylvania Press.
- Banham, J. (Ed.). (1997). Encyclopedia of interior design. Routledge.
- Rodel, K. P., & Binzen, J. (2003). Arts & crafts furniture: from classic to contemporary. Taunton Press.
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