The second section of our in-depth glossary reviews styles that range from relaxed rural looks to formal sophisticated aesthetics.
Baroque
Baroque interior design is known for its dramatic sense of grandeur. It features richly detailed furnishings, elaborate ornamentation and a strong focus on symmetry and form. Originating in 17th-century Europe, this style was created to impress. The aesthetic uses bold visual elements and luxurious materials to convey power and opulence.
Furniture is often oversized and heavily adorned. Pieces feature carved scrolls, twisted columns, gilded accents and curved forms that suggest movement and drama. Common materials include dark woods like walnut and ebony, paired with marble, granite and gold leaf for an extravagant finish. Decorative motifs such as shells, garlands, acanthus leaves and cherubs appear in everything from furniture carvings to ceiling moldings.
The color palette is equally lavish, favoring rich tones like burgundy, deep green, royal blue and gold. Textures are layered and plush. Examples include velvet drapery, silk upholstery and damask wallpaper. Iconic pieces include cassoni (marriage chests) with painted or inlaid panels and high-backed chairs with ornately carved frames.
Lighting in Baroque interiors adds to the sense of drama. Iron lanterns line hallways, while candelabras and wall sconces made from brass, pewter or wood create a warm, flickering glow. Grand chandeliers often serve as centerpieces in formal rooms.
Renowned designers and artists such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Andre-Charles Boulle helped define the Baroque aesthetic. They influenced everything from furniture design to architectural interiors. Baroque style is ideal for those who love historical elegance, visual drama and timeless extravagance.
Bauhaus
Bauhaus design was founded in Germany in 1919. It’s known for its commitment to function, simplicity and the integration of art, science and technology. Much like modern design, it favors clean lines and geometric forms. However, it has a sharper focus on usability and mass production. The style avoids unnecessary ornamentation. Instead, it relies on proportion, clarity and precision to create visually balanced, highly functional interiors.
Materials are industrial yet refined, including tubular steel, glass, leather and laminated wood. Textures are smooth and surfaces are often left unembellished to highlight the integrity of the materials. The color palette tends to be neutral. Black, white, gray and beige are punctuated by bold primary colors used in strategic accents.
Furniture is designed with adaptability in mind. Many pieces fold, stack or adjust to suit a user’s needs. This trait makes Bauhaus ideal for efficient, space-conscious living [Droste 2002]. Famous designs include Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Chair and Wilhelm Wagenfeld’s Bauhaus Lamp. The latter is a simple glass and metal table lamp that captures the style’s essence. Light fixtures are often built in or streamlined to preserve the sleek, open feeling of a space. Under-cabinet lighting and task lamps serve both form and function.
Designers such as Walter Gropius, Herbert Bayer and Marianne Brandt played key roles in shaping the movement. Bauhaus remains influential for its honest use of materials, human-centered design and timeless visual logic.
Beach House
Beach House design captures the relaxed charm of coastal living with interiors that feel breezy, casual and connected to nature. The style emphasizes light, open spaces filled with natural textures and sun-washed colors that mirror the sea and sky. Common hues include soft whites, sandy beiges and sky blues. They’re often accented with playful touches of coral, sea foam or turquoise for added warmth and personality.
Materials are chosen for their coastal durability and organic beauty. Wicker, rattan and reclaimed or whitewashed wood are staples in furniture. Pieces often features clean lines and simple silhouettes. Upholstery tends to be lightweight and breathable. Cotton, linen and canvas are popular choices that enhance the fresh, airy vibe. Slipcovered sofas and distressed wood dining tables are common anchor pieces in beach house interiors.
Texture plays a key role through layering. Frequently used items include jute rugs, seagrass baskets and driftwood accents. Light fixtures often have nautical or rustic designs. They may have rope-wrapped bases, weathered metal lanterns, or shapes like buoys, oars or shells. Decorative touches may include sea glass, coral, glass floats or vintage coastal artwork.
While the style leans more casual than designer-driven, tastemakers like Barbara Barry and Alexa Hampton have brought sophisticated interpretations of coastal decor to the mainstream. Beach House design is perfect for those seeking a laid-back atmosphere with a clean, natural look inspired by sand, surf and sun.
Bohemian
Bohemian design (often called boho chic) is all about freedom of expression. The aesthetic blends global influences, vibrant colors and an eclectic mix of textures. It’s rooted in the carefree spirit of artists, travelers and nomads. Bohemian style embraces imperfection, layering and individuality over strict rules or symmetry. It thrives on creativity and comfort, creating a warm, lived-in feel that’s both relaxed and visually stimulating.
Color is bold and abundant. Jewel tones like deep purple, ruby red, saffron yellow and fuchsia are layered with earthy neutrals to ground the palette. Textures are rich and varied with a focus on natural and handmade materials. Macrame, fringe, embroidery, rattan, velvet and worn leather often appear together in the same room. Patterns are equally diverse, including Moroccan tile prints, Indian block prints and vintage florals.
Furniture is a playful mix of eras and origins. A mid-century sofa might sit beside a hand-carved wooden chest, a fringed pouf or a vintage peacock chair. Nothing needs to match. What matters is the story each piece tells. Iconic items include the Butterfly chair and peacock chair, both symbols of casual bohemian style.
Lighting adds drama and charm, from beaded or fringed table lamps to Moroccan-style lanterns and crystal-draped chandeliers. Designers like Justina Blakeney have helped bring Bohemian design into modern interiors. They combine artistic expression with cozy, collected style. The result is a space that feels worldly, colorful and uniquely personal.
Brazilian
The most recognized Brazilian furniture design occurred during the 1900s. Unlike the cold structural formality of the Mid-Century Modern and Bauhaus movements, Brazilian pieces are infused with warmth, imperfection and a relaxed familiarity. Tables, chairs and casegoods are crafted from natural materials native to the country. Robust woods like jacaranda, peroba and imbuia, along with bamboo, cane and rich leather are frequently used. Floors may be concrete or constructed of stripped wood that is stained, varnished or whitewashed. Brazilian seating often has a broad low profile, thick wooden frame and includes ample cushions.
The Mole Chair (a.k.a. Poltrona Moleca) by Sergio Rodrigues is one of the most popular pieces from Brazil as is the scooped Paulistano Armchair of Paulo Mendes da Rocha. The eye-catching 3-Legged Chair of Joaquim Tenreiro is a bit more formal, but still reflects the simple elegance of Brazilian design. This aesthetic contrasts white with vibrant fabric colors and warm browns of indigenous materials. Accents include terracotta pots, handwoven baskets, natural wood-framed mirrors and chiffon curtains. Nature is embraced by Brazilian interior design and can be found in botanical patterns such as leaves and flowers, and in the liberal use of potted trees and plants throughout.
British Colonial
Inspired by the decor prevalent during the colonization of Africa, Asia and the West Indies, British Colonial interiors feature lightweight cotton fabric on drapes, curtains and bedding. The most common color palette includes a mix of whites, beiges and browns to produce a subdued and subtle look. Flowers and plants are consistently used throughout the home to provide a fresh feel.
Furniture is made up of materials like wicker, ebony, teak and mahogany. Leather travel trunks with brass latches and rivets were popular items during the heyday of this era. Tables, chairs, cabinets and sofas are usually constructed with dark-colored wood to create a rich, sophisticated ambiance. The deep-colored furniture provides a lovely contrast to the neutral-toned walls. Bell jar lanterns and lighted ceiling fans are popular fixtures to illuminate British Colonial homes. British Colonial decor has a certain casual elegance that makes it a popular choice of interior designers and decorators.
Carolean
Carolean style, otherwise referred to as restoration style, is similar to Baroque-influenced houses. Brass is the hardware of choice for cabinet pulls, faucets and door knobs. Furniture is delicately carved and features elegant woodwork inspired by floral and fruit motifs as well as baluster-style legs. Walnut is the type of wood most commonly used to construct chairs, tables, cabinets and so forth. A decorative covering of fine wood known as veneer is applied to furniture to add character. Carolean lighting boasts a mix of modern and Old World characteristics thanks to simple silhouettes and detailed finishes. Table lamps feature shades made of silk or velvet, and they’re adorned with tapestries and fringe. This style was en vogue in England during the reign of Charles II.
Chinese
Chinese style borrows motifs from Asian and Zen home design, such as a focus on nature and simplicity. Interiors are filled with bright splashes of gold, red, brown and black. Feng Shui is important, as the arrangement of furniture and decor is said to offer positive energy to the household. Cabinets, armoires and chairs have detailed engravings and paintings of dragons, mountains, clouds, birds and flowers.
Furniture also comes with a thick lacquer finish for a glossy appearance. Initially, this process was incredibly expensive and large fully lacquered furnishings were reserved for only imperial members of the Song dynasty. By the 19th century it had become more affordable, but was typically used on smaller pieces or decorative sections of larger furniture. Mother of pearl was an especially popular inlay material for lacquered Chinese designs. Paper lanterns are hung from the ceiling to contribute color, texture and, of course, light to the home. Ornate pendants and chandeliers can also be found in Chinese interiors.
Chippendale
The Chippendale interior design style emerged in 1754 when Thomas Chippendale published the furniture catalog “The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker’s Director.” Chippendale furniture features influences from Gothic and Rococo furnishings and Chinese architectural elements such as roofs and window patterns [Yingquan, Lei & Qi 2013ref]. The back legs of furniture flow upward to form intricately detailed backrests of chairs.
Other characteristics of Chippendale furniture include tapered legs, club feet and lacy patterns. Furnishings are typically made of mahogany, a material which is easily carved and stands up to everyday wear and tear. Stools and chairs are upholstered with fine fabrics like velvet or silk. Chippendale style interiors are filled with neutral tones like browns, creamy whites and grays. Metallics such as gold, silver and bronze are also used throughout the home. Chandeliers are a common light fixture used to create a sense of sophistication.
Coastal
Coastal style gives off a relaxed, subdued and carefree vibe. Beach-inspired elements such as sand dollars, sea glass and driftwood are used as decor throughout the home. A crisp white color palette is common in coastal style, with occasional splashes of blues, greens, aquas and corals. Light is a central element in coastal interior design, therefore, homes feature plenty of glass doors, skylights and windows. Coastal furniture typically comes with a lived-in, by-the-sea feel, so you’ll often see painted wood chairs and tables with a distressed finish or a woven wicker chair. Light fixtures also use natural elements to keep up the beachy ambiance. Chandeliers made up of cascading petals of sea glass or hanging wooden pendants that feature a worn away finish are both appropriate for a coastal home.
Commonwealth
Commonwealth or Cromwellian home design focuses on the basics – furniture comes with severe, straight lines with no intricate carvings or embellishments. This aesthetic shares similar characteristics to Bauhaus style in that it concentrates on function rather than style and decor. Instead of velvet or silk upholstery, leather is used for its sleek and simple feel. The thick strips of cowhide leather were stretched across the uprights and seat rails and fastened by brass head nails. The low backs of seating were never stuffed, as this was considered far too luxurious for this prim and proper English style. Rather, classic open slat chair backs were used for their understated look. The only Light fixtures also feature very basic shapes with little detailing, like smooth geometrically shaped hanging pendants or simple track lighting that blends in with the walls.
Contemporary
Contemporary style is often interchanged with modern design – however, there are a few differences. Unlike its modern counterpart, contemporary style borrows from various time periods, creating an eclectic environment. For instance, sleek, simple furniture and art can be combined with detailed molding around walls and windows. Contemporary style also takes a note from minimal home design, as layouts are open and airy with no clutter in sight. Furnishings have sharp, 90-degree angles and are upholstered with simple fabrics such as wool, cotton and linen that have no ornamentation or patterns. Instead, sofas, chairs and stools are covered in neutral colors like black, white and tan. No fringe, skirts, trim or tassels can be found on contemporary furniture, as all legs are exposed. Light fixtures are made up of sleek materials like glass, ceramic, polished nickel or stainless steel.
Cool Britannia
This home-style reflects pride in the United Kingdom, so the British flag (a.k.a. Union Jack) is frequently used as design inspiration. This 1960s pop culture-inspired style was at its height in the 1990s and reinforced by popular bands of the time like Oasis, Elastica and the Spice Girls. Various shades of red, white and blue are often used subtly throughout the home. For instance, a warm brick fireplace, cream-colored walls and blue-toned sofas bring the Cool Britannia color palette to life in a subdued manner.
Quirky accessories and statement art offer a splash of personality to this British-inspired style. Scatter cushions are commonly used as a way to bring color onto neutral-toned furnishings. The pillows could feature bold red, white and blue patterns or solid colors. Leather sofas and chairs are a frequently seen feature in this style home. Vintage accents are also used, such as distressed wood tables and cabinets.
Cottage
Cottage style can be described as cozy and comforting. Much like coastal design, cottage interiors evoke a light and airy feel. Instead of heavy drapes, lightweight fabrics such as lace and cotton are used. Weathered woods, distressed paints and a color palette of whites and creams come together to create a warm and welcoming informal home. Vintage fixtures and accessories such as chandeliers, farmhouse sinks and ornate rugs are used to produce a charming farmhouse aesthetic. Furnishings are comfortable and casual. Chairs and sofas can be dressed in lively pastel hues that reflect the sea and sky. Woven rugs sit underneath the furniture to keep with the relaxed nature of the home. Beaded board and wood planks add character to walls, ceilings and floors. Natural light is accentuated to illuminate the home, while fixtures such as vintage chandeliers and weathered pendants provide additional light.
Country
Country home design shares similar characteristics to that of cottage style. It uses muted colors and vintage accessories throughout the home. Flea markets and antique shops offer inspiration for furniture and decor pieces. Fabrics on drapes, curtains and bedding often feature floral patterns, gingham, large checks or stripes to bring personality to the otherwise understated color palette. Furnishings are constructed of warm woods such as pine and oak, and feature clean lines with little ornamentation. Wooden tables, chairs, cabinets and dressers typically have a worn painted finish. Metal accents are brought forth using light fixtures such as bronze wall sconces or copper lanterns. Milk painted mason jars in soft pastel colors are often used as decorative containers on open shelves.
Guide Sections
References
- Droste, M. (2002). Bauhaus, 1919-1933. Taschen.
- Yingquan, Z., Lei, X., & Qi, S. (2013). The Impact of Chinese Architecture on Chippendale Style Chinoiserie Furniture. Furniture & Interior Design, 1(6), 12-17.
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