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
Abstract interior design takes cues from expressionist art. It uses bold shapes, asymmetry and striking contrasts to create spaces that feel energetic and unconventional. It shares similarities with modern and contemporary styles, such as clean lines and minimal ornamentation. However, it also embraces irregular forms and unexpected layouts to challenge traditional design norms. Furniture often features sculptural silhouettes with flowing or geometric shapes.
Materials like lacquered wood, polished metal, glass and molded plastic are common. These offer a mix of smooth, reflective and matte textures. The color palette is vivid and expressive. Abstract design often uses bright yellows, blues and oranges, balanced with black or white for visual impact. Lighting also plays a key role with fixtures that double as art, such as angular pendants or statement lamps that cast dynamic shadows.
Iconic pieces include the Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan and the Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin. Other designers like Zaha Hadid and Karim Rashid have also helped shape the abstract design movement. Their bold futuristic visions emphasize the fluid form. Abstract interiors are ideal for those who want a space that feels modern, artistic and truly unique.
African
African interior design draws deeply from the continent’s landscapes, cultures and craftsmanship. It creates spaces that feel grounded, organic and soulful. It embraces natural forms, raw textures and earthy materials, often highlighting the beauty of imperfections. Furniture is typically handcrafted from hardwoods like ebony, mahogany or cedar, and may feature braided grasses or woven rattan. Upholstery often includes bold textiles such as ikat, kuba cloth or soft leather. Animal hides (like zebra or cheetah) are used as rugs or accent pieces, honoring Africa’s connection to wildlife.
The color palette is warm and earthy with rich tones like burnt orange, burgundy and deep brown balanced by soft beige or whitewashed walls. Floors are commonly finished in terracotta, sandstone or stained concrete, often layered with sisal, jute or woven rugs. Form is organic and unfussy with simple shapes that echo traditional craftsmanship and handmade appeal.
Iconic furniture includes the Triplolina Chair (or butterfly chair) fitted with mudcloth slings, which pairs functionality with cultural symbolism. Accessories are key to the aesthetic and may include carved wooden bowls, woven baskets, bolga fans, soft poufs and ceremonial masks or stone sculptures. Renowned designers like Cheick Diallo and Jomo Tariku have brought African design to the global stage, blending traditional motifs with modern sensibilities. Overall, the style celebrates heritage, craftsmanship and a deep respect for nature.
American Colonial
American Colonial interior design reflects the craftsmanship and simplicity of early American life. It blends traditional European influences with rustic frontier practicality. This style draws from the 17th to 19th centuries, featuring muted, timeworn colors like slate blue, cream, soft gray and warm taupe. Finishes often include oil-rubbed bronze, aged wood and antique brass, giving spaces a refined but lived-in feel.
Furniture is sturdy, handcrafted and often built from native woods such as cherry, maple, hickory or elm. Signature pieces include spindle-back chairs, trestle tables and highboy dressers. Many pieces showcase carved flourishes or turned legs. Upholstery and drapery fabrics are modest and durable, often in toile, ticking stripe or simple floral prints. Wallpaper may feature colonial patterns in subdued tones. These add a subtle layer of historical character.
Lighting is traditional and atmospheric. Their handcrafted brass or copper lanterns, wall sconces and candelabra-style chandeliers casting a warm glow. Hardware, such as brass knobs and drawer pulls, adds elegance to cabinetry and case goods. The form tends to be symmetrical and balanced, favoring proportions that reflect order and craftsmanship.
Iconic pieces include the Windsor chair and Chippendale-style cabinets adapted for American tastes. American Colonial design remains a timeless choice for those who value heritage, craftsmanship and historical depth in the home.
Amish
Amish interior design reflects the values of simplicity, craftsmanship and practicality, much like the Amish way of life itself. This style is modest yet elegant, rooted in handmade quality and timeless function. Drawing from traditions similar to Mission and Shaker styles, Amish furniture emphasizes clean lines, minimal ornamentation and durable construction. Every piece is built by skilled woodworkers, often using traditional joinery methods without nails or screws.
The color palette is calm and natural, featuring shades of gray, cream, brown and black. These neutral tones are softened by the warm textures of solid hardwoods like cherry, oak, maple and walnut. Furniture is known for its graceful but understated details. Arched crown molding, overlay doors, flared base legs and inset panels are signature elements. Iconic pieces include spindle-back chairs, trestle dining tables and blanket chests. Amish furnishings are designed for long-term use and aesthetic longevity.
Materials are always authentic and built to last. Lighting features simple gas-style or oil-rubbed fixtures made from iron, copper or tin. Pendants, lanterns and wall sconces are chosen for their soft, ambient glow rather than decorative flair.
Amish design’s influence is widespread thanks to the consistent quality and integrity of Amish communities. This style appeals to those who value craftsmanship, quiet beauty and a slower, more intentional approach to home living.
Arabian
Arabian interior design blends rich tradition with a sense of opulence. The mix creates warm, inviting spaces full of texture, color and intricate detail. This style is inspired by the art and architecture of the Middle East and North Africa. It uses decorative patterns, rich fabrics and beautiful materials. This creates a sense of elegance and hospitality.
Signature forms include low seating arrangements like majlis-style floor cushions or sofas, often arranged around carved wood tables. Textures are lush and varied. Velvet, silk, leather and embroidered textiles are paired with engraved metals, glass and hand-carved wood. Walls and floors are often dressed in geometric mosaic patterns, while curtains and rugs feature arabesque or floral motifs.
The color palette begins with earthy neutrals like sand, beige and taupe. It then comes alive with accents of gold, silver, turquoise, deep pink and bronze. Lighting is essential to setting the tone. Engraved metal pendant lamps or lanterns cast delicate, patterned shadows that enhance the mood and architecture of the space.
Furniture is typically handcrafted from dark woods such as walnut or teak. Inlaid mother-of-pearl or intricate carvings often add a sense of luxury. Arabian style is rooted in centuries-old traditions. However, modern designers like Nada Debs and Hassan Hajjaj have helped bring its rich aesthetic into contemporary homes, merging cultural heritage with updated design sensibilities. Arabian interiors are perfect for those who appreciate detail, drama and a timeless sense of comfort.
Art Deco
Art Deco design, born in 1920s France, is known for its bold elegance, streamlined shapes and luxurious materials. This style blends glamour and modernity with a focus on symmetry, clean lines and geometric form. Surfaces are sleek and reflective, featuring materials like polished chrome, stainless steel, glass, lacquered wood and inlaid marble. Texture plays a subtle but important role. Smooth finishes are balanced by embossed patterns, rich velvets or exotic woods like ebony and Macassar.
The color palette is dramatic and refined. Black, white and deep jewel tones like emerald, sapphire and ruby are often paired with metallic accents in gold, silver or bronze. Furniture is oversized and sculptural with rounded corners, stepped forms and strong silhouettes. Iconic pieces include Eileen Gray’s Bibendum Chair and Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann’s veneered cabinets. These furnishings showcase Art Deco’s emphasis on craftsmanship and elegance.
Lighting is equally decorative with structured wall sconces, tiered chandeliers and lamps featuring bold geometric or sunburst motifs. Fixtures are typically made of polished metal, etched glass or crystal, enhancing the overall sense of luxury.
Graphic prints such as chevrons, zigzags, animal motifs and fan patterns appear on rugs, upholstery and even ceilings. The Art Deco district in Miami Beach stands as a living gallery of this style, showcasing its architectural flourishes. Renowned designers like Rene Lalique, Le Corbusier and A.M. Cassandre helped define this era of design. The Art Deco style continues to influence interiors with its timeless sophistication and flair for the dramatic.
Art Moderne
Art Moderne (a.k.a. Streamline Moderne) emerged in the 1930s as a softer, more fluid evolution of Art Deco. This style embraces minimalism and modernity with a focus on aerodynamic shapes, rounded edges and smooth, flowing lines. Unlike the sharp geometry of Art Deco, Art Moderne emphasizes horizontal movement. This is often highlighted through “speed lines” or tiered forms that suggest motion and progress.
The color palette is clean and understated, often centered around whites, grays and other soft neutrals. Materials include chrome, glass, concrete, terra cotta and polished wood, all chosen for their sleek appearance and smooth texture. Curved corners on doorways, windows and furniture help create a continuous, uninterrupted flow throughout the space. Decorative patterns are minimal. Solid colors and glossy surfaces take center stage.
Furniture is functional yet stylish with streamlined silhouettes and rounded forms. Iconic pieces include tiered coffee tables, low-slung sofas and cantilevered chairs that reflect a machine-age aesthetic. Contrasts in color like black and white or chrome and glass add visual interest without clutter. Lighting is simple but elegant, often using frosted glass, circular shades and tubular forms in floor or table lamps.
Notable designers like Raymond Loewy, Paul Frankl, Norman Bel Geddes and Gilbert Rohde helped define the Art Moderne style. They focused on industrial design, motion and form. The result is an interior style that feels calm, efficient and gracefully modern with just the right balance of softness and sophistication.
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is a highly decorative design style that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s known for its graceful, flowing lines and natural forms. Unlike the sharp geometry of Art Deco, Art Nouveau embraces curves and asymmetry. Its soft organic shapes are inspired by plants, flowers and the human figure. Architecture and furniture often feature sinuous outlines with window frames, stair railings and doorways designed to mimic vines or waves.
The style uses a variety of textures and materials to create visual richness. Carved wood, marble, wrought iron, stained glass and hand-blown glass are commonly used. Pieces are often adorned with motifs like lilies, peacocks, dragonflies and female silhouettes. Color palettes tend to be soft and earthy with muted greens, golds, plum tones and pale blues that reflect the natural world. Floral wallpaper, oriental rugs and mosaic inlays are popular decorative elements.
Furniture is both artistic and functional. It often has intricate marquetry and curved silhouettes. Iconic pieces include Louis Majorelle’s nature-inspired armoires and Carlo Bugatti’s elaborate, sculptural chairs. Lighting is a key feature with pieces made from glass or semi-precious stones. Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained glass lamps are some of the most recognizable examples of Art Nouveau craftsmanship.
Prominent designers like Hector Guimard, known for the Paris Metro entrances, and Victor Horta helped define this movement. Art Nouveau continues to be celebrated for its elegance, attention to detail and romantic celebration of nature in design.
Artisan
Artisan interior design celebrates craftsmanship, authenticity and individuality through high-quality, handcrafted elements. This style favors warm, earthy colors like terracotta, deep brown, olive green and ochre. They’re paired with natural textures like raw wood, stone and hand-forged metal. Surfaces often feature distressed finishes, hand-carved details or hammered textures that highlight the human touch behind the work.
Furniture in an artisan home is built for both function and beauty. Pieces are typically made from solid woods like walnut, oak or maple. They showcase visible joinery, hand-planed surfaces and organic forms. Rather than being overly ornate, the design emphasizes fine workmanship and cultural identity. It often reflects regional traditions or the unique style of the maker. Textiles play a strong role with woven rugs, embroidered pillows and richly colored fabrics. They feature floral or abstract motifs similar to those seen in traditional homes.
Lighting is equally distinctive. It ranges from pendant chandeliers made of wrought iron to table lamps crafted from blown glass or hand-thrown ceramic bases. Each element in the space tells a story. Pieces are often made in small batches or entirely by hand. Consequently, artisan interiors feel deeply personal and one-of-a-kind.
Notable figures like George Nakashima and Sam Maloof are celebrated for their handcrafted furniture that reflects the values of the artisan aesthetic. At its core, artisan design is about honoring skill, tradition and the beauty of slow, intentional creation.
Arts & Crafts
Arts and Crafts design is rooted in a love for craftsmanship, simplicity and natural beauty. It emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction against industrial mass production. The movement placed value on hand-made quality and honest materials [Rodel 2003]. Arts and Crafts style borrows elements from both Art Nouveau and artisan traditions, emphasizing functional design with personal character.
Furniture is known for its strong, straightforward forms. It’s often made of solid oak or mahogany with exposed joinery, minimal ornamentation and clean lines. Iconic pieces include Gustav Stickley’s mission-style chairs and sideboards, which showcase the integrity of construction. Wood trim, paneled walls and built-in features like bookcases, window seats and cabinetry help the space feel cohesive and intentional.
The color palette is drawn from nature, featuring muted tones like sage green, warm taupe, dusty orange and deep brown. Texture plays an important role with hand-hammered metal hardware, stained glass panels and handcrafted ceramic tile adding richness and visual interest. Lighting is typically made from bronze or copper with mica or stained glass shades, casting a warm, inviting glow.
Built-in furnishings and custom woodwork are key to the style’s integration with architecture. Designers like William Morris, Charles Robert Ashbee and Richard Barry Parker helped define the movement. They emphasized beauty through simplicity and craftsmanship. Arts and Crafts interiors feel timeless, serene and deeply connected to the handmade traditions that inspired them.
Asian
Asian interior design draws from a variety of East Asian traditions, particularly those of Japan, China and Southeast Asia. Its spaces feel calm, balanced and connected to nature. This style emphasizes simplicity, clean lines and intentional use of space, often incorporating natural materials and soft, organic textures. Forms are low and streamlined. Furniture such as platform beds, floor cushions, and simple wood tables helps create comfort and flow. They also keep a low visual profile.
Natural elements are central to the design. You’ll often see stone basins, pebble or bamboo accents, and live plants like bonsai or bamboo stalks used for a sense of harmony. Wood, rice paper, silk and smooth stone are common materials, often presented in a neutral or earthy color palette. Shades of brown, cream, gray and green, sometimes accented with deep reds or gold.
Multi-functional furniture plays a practical role, especially in smaller homes. Storage ottomans, built-in cabinetry and benches with hidden compartments maintain a clutter-free space. Textiles like embroidered silk pillows and handwoven rugs add elegance without excess.
Lighting is soft and purposeful with lantern-style fixtures, paper shades or lamps featuring carved wood and patterned bases. Iconic pieces include the Ming-style chair and Japanese tansu chest, known for their craftsmanship and understated beauty. Designers such as Koichi Futatsumata and Shigeru Uchida have helped modernize traditional Asian design with a focus on restraint, material honesty and timeless appeal.
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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