The eighth section of this in-depth list of interior design styles reviews a few broadly popular generic themes and highlights a couple with memorable features with more limited applications.
Scandinavian
Scandinavian interiors are somewhat similar to both Russian and rustic design styles. It can be defined by its simplicity, use of clean lines and earthy materials. Wall-to-wall carpets are rarely seen in Scandinavian homes – instead, hardwood floors are used in every room except the bathroom. The floors are always light in color, as is the rest of the home. Walls are typically either white or gray, and blue textiles are used on sofas, rugs and bedding to bring a splash of color into the home. Minimalist Scandinavian furniture and architecture feature clean and simple lines. Nordic fireplaces are typically the grand focal point of a room to warm the interior and offer a cozy contrast to the muted colors.
Shabby Chic
Shabby chic presents a balance of rustic and glamorous styles. Its name is credited to London designer Rachel Ashwell who was inspired by treasured “finds” she discovered at flea markets. Furniture of this style appears worn and distressed with painted layers. Fabrics on sofas, bedding and curtains are typically made of cotton and feature white or pastel colors to keep the room looking soft and delicate. Commonly used materials include weathered wood, wrought iron and wicker. Kitchen tables are constructed out of warm lumber and feature a textured area rug underneath. Tables are set with vintage teacups and linen napkins and vintage chandeliers light up the room. Overall, a beachy, airy ambiance can be found throughout Shabby Chic interiors. The wear-and-tear look is similar to French Country and Cottage style decor.
Shaker
Shaker interior design embraces simplicity and practicality. Furniture constructed in Shaker style is always of high-quality woodwork and often handcrafted to last for years. Chairs, sofas and tables feature straight, tapered legs because of their lightweight nature. Tapered legs are aesthetically attractive, but can be easily lifted for convenience. Pieces like tables typically have plain wood pulls and rounded edges to avoid showiness. Neutral colors, like grays, light browns and off-whites are used throughout Shaker homes. Light fixtures are as simple as the furniture with very little detailing, minimal curves and very straight lines, much like contemporary lighting. Shaker cabinets are still among the most popular kitchen features in homes. These clean-lined built-in cabinets have a classic look that typically have a recessed center panel and no or sparse detailing.
Southwestern
The colors that make up Southwestern or Santa Fe style include Earth tones such as dusty orange, cactus green, beige and adobe red. Bright hues like turquoise and vibrant yellow are peppered in the muted colors for a splash of Southwestern personality. Texture is another important characteristic – leather and suede are most commonly used on upholstery, while knotty pine is popular for tables and chairs. Furniture is usually made of light-colored woods and upholstered with bright, rich geometric patterns. Light fixtures like lamps and sconces are crafted out of natural materials like wrought iron, stone or bronze. Terra cotta tiling is another exterior characteristic of Southwestern style homes. Accent rugs and bed covers are usually made from loosely woven wool or other natural fibers.
Space Age
This retro-futuristic design style was inspired by the advent of space exploration in the late 1950s and 1960s. Space Age is often confused with the Atomic Age movement that preceded it and many pieces of furniture associated with Mid-Century Modern style actually belong in the Space Age category. Molded polypropylene plastic and fiberglass is used to create fluid organic shapes in white, black, vibrant colors or even transparent forms. Sculpted capsule-shaped chairs are signature items in Space Age design and Eero Aarnio’s Ball Chair, Bubble Chair and Egg Pod Chair are still icons today. Clean-lined foam upholstery and accents in bold orange, red, pink and yellow really pop against the white that is so prevalent in this style. Eero Saarinen’s Tulip tables and chairs are frequently used and were featured in “2001 A Space Odyssey” – the cinematic epitome of this aesthetic.
Chromed metal frames with clear plastic or glass are often used for seating and tables too. Space Age also embraces a whimsical, light-hearted and ephemeral spirit. Boomerang-shaped tabletops, lava lamps and pop art all contribute to the fun and, at times, the psychedelic mood of this style, while UFO-shaped hanging fireplaces reinforce the iconography of the space race with the Soviet Union and provide uncommon visual appeal. The Googie architectural movement that corresponded with Space Age styling created many memorable structures such as the LAX airport and evoked images of the Jetsons. John Lautner’s flying saucer-like Chemosphere House in the Hollywood Hills and Charles Deaton’s elliptical Sculpted House in Denver both exemplify the public fascination with all things space and other-worldly at the time.
Spanish Renaissance
Spanish Renaissance combines the rich detailing of the Renaissance era with raw, Mediterranean influences of Spanish style. The furniture is intricately carved with geometric patterns and upholstered with bright, red or green leather and decorative metal accents like brass or metal nails. Chairs and tables are typically made of heavy woods such as walnut, cedar or oak. Light fixtures like wall sconces, chandeliers and lamps are typically adorned with wrought iron. Throw rugs and Spanish-style pottery are used as decorative accents. Windows, doorways and headboards feature arches to soften architectural elements like wooden chairs with straight backs. The architecture of this period was often adorned with low-relief metallic carvings that were influenced by the plateresque artistic movement.
Steampunk
Steampunk interior design mixes elegant interiors with industrial or machine style. It’s composed of materials such as leather, dark wood and metallic coppers and bronzes. Furniture typically has an industrial flair, as tables, chairs and sofas are constructed out of salvaged woods and metals in addition to leather upholstery. It’s common to see light bulbs bare without any decorative objects like a shade around it with steampunk design. Old maps are a frequently used decorating tool and can be hung up as wall murals to add a vintage vibe to an interior. Exposed materials like pipes, concrete walls and weathered wood beams only add to the charm of steampunk interiors.
Think of Steampunk as a blend between Victorian flamboyance, Gothic broodiness and the mechanization of the Industrial Age. Its origins can be traced back to the turn of the twentieth century, and is generally acknowledged to be inspired by the literary works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells [Onion 2008]. The technology described and the depictions in “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “The Time Machine” are clearly the roots of steampunk as we now know it. It has become a favorite style of cinema, due to its rich juxtaposition of materials and textures. Just watch “The City of Lost Children,” “Wild Wild West” or “Hugo” to see Steampunk in action.
Swedish
Swedish interiors boast a refined elegance and an uncluttered, classic style. These homes borrow traits from modern and minimalist themes due to the stylistic focus on practicality and simplicity (despite the difficulty of assembling IKEA furniture). Walls are typically covered in a neutral hue like gray or off-white to give a light and airy feel to the room. Interiors can be accented with Earth tones like greens, browns and taupes, as Swedish style emphasizes the use of nature. Furniture in Swedish homes leans toward a traditional aesthetic – wooden chairs are adorned with curved backs and turned legs, while tables and dressers typically have a weathered look and are painted in white or gray. Sofas and chairs are upholstered with natural materials like linen, cotton, leather and suede. Light fixtures are neutral and contain very little detail to stick to a simple, minimalist look.
Traditional
A traditional home will be filled with furniture from various period styles such as Tudor, Regence, Louis XV and Georgian. However, unlike eclectic interiors, traditionally styled homes have a much more distinct visual cohesiveness in color palette and materials. Tables, chairs and sofas are typically made from dark woods and are ornately detailed with carvings and curvatures. Windows are similarly designed with scalloped edges, fringe accents and luxurious drapes gathered together with tasseled cords. Fabrics feature a variety of different patterns including damask, florals, stripes and plaids. Colors are muted and subdued to create a calm ambiance throughout the home. Rooms are lit up with shimmering crystal chandeliers and silver candlesticks offering a warm flickering glow. Fresh or silk flowers in detailed vases and still-life oil paintings are often used as decorative accessories.
Transitional
Transitional interior design blends a variety of different styles together to create a timeless look that’s all its own. Because there is a mix of both traditional and contemporary design, furniture can feature straight and sophisticated lines, or have rounded lines with ornate carvings. Pieces like chairs, tables and sofas balance both masculine and feminine attributes to create a welcoming ambiance. For the most part, however, furniture has much less ornamentation than what’s found in most traditional styles. Furniture is upholstered with graphic patterns and textured materials like creamy white cotton, smooth leather and corduroy. Lighting is sleek, much like couches, tables and chairs. Wall sconces, pendants and table lamps are equipped with straight lines with a modern feel. Colors are similar to traditional design – you’ll see dark browns, taupes, tans and creamy whites.
Tropical
Infuse a bit of beachy flair into your home with tropical style, which combines influences from various locations like Hawaii and French Polynesia. Furniture can be made up of different natural materials like rattan, bamboo and wicker. Furnishings are upholstered with tropical prints featuring lattice patterns, flowers and big palm leaves. Light fixtures are also constructed out of natural materials, like woven pendant lights. To create a light and airy ambiance that you would find in tropical locations, color palettes are kept subdued, with pale peaches, greens, blues and neutrals. Lush green plants give a splash of brightness to the interior and play off of the lighter colors. Jute, sisal and other natural fiber rugs give Tropical interiors texture under foot. This relaxed soothing style works well in open air areas like porches and verandas.
Tudor
This architectural style represents the last evolution of Medieval design. The low Tudor arch is a defining characteristic of this classic English period. Tudor homes typically have stone or stucco on their exterior with wooden front doors to recreate an English style. An iconic detail of Tudor design is the steep gable roof pitch to mimic a castle you might see in a medieval fairytale. Windows in the home are tall and narrow, guiding the eye up to the high ceilings equipped with heavy timber ceiling beams. Protruding bay or oriel windows are also commonly seen in Tudor houses. Bedrooms might feature impressive four-poster beds and heavy armoires. Kitchens are equipped with vintage detailing like wrought iron lighting, farmhouse sinks and cream-colored cabinets. In the living and dining rooms, heavy ornate wood furniture with a semi-glossy sheen and velvet throws sit atop stone or brick flooring.
Tuscan
Tuscan interior design is decorated with warm, earthy colors like golden yellows, rusty oranges, deep purples and olive greens, much like those you would find on a Tuscan hillside. Floors are packed with detail and contain either worn wood, terra-cotta tiles or a mosaic inlay. Antique detailed rugs add a cozy element to the floors. Windows are always left without detailed treatments so natural light can easily stream in and warm the interior. Tuscan style furniture borrows characteristics from Mediterranean design with richly stained wood and intricate hand-painted designs of natural elements such as flowers and fruits. Rooms are lit with hanging pendants, candles and wrought iron light fixtures. Walls are decorated with art featuring wine bottles, cheese, fruit and flowers, while ceilings feature exposed wooden beams.
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