Redecorating used to be straightforward. When it came to updating your décor, you just went with the latest interior design trend. Design styles were very distinctive and they were either in, or they were out.
We’ve seen many major design trends come and go over the years. From the cool, laid-back minimalism that is mid-century modern, to the fussy chintziness of the 1980s.
While some styles have long since fallen out of favor, more than a few trends have seen a huge revival in recent years. These along with newer design trends, the recent big trend Cottagecore so named in 2018, being one example, have emerged alongside the more established styles. Here is our list of the ten most popular, well known interior design styles of today:
- Mid Century Modern
- Coastal
- Farmhouse
- Bohemian
- Scandinavian
- Industrial
- Minimalism
- Cottagecore
- Rustic
- French Shabby Chic
Now you could choose one style trend from the list and go with it but I’d argue that to go all out with just one style would be limiting. I mean, while each of the styles listed above has its own unique charm, it is possible to have too much of a good thing!
Go too minimalist, for instance, and you risk losing the heart of your home. Go too industrial you could start to feel like you are one barista short of a cafe. Too much rustic and your home will feel more like a barn …you get my point.
But there’s another way to go, and that’s to mix two, (or more if you are brave) styles together. Get it right and you will achieve a fresh and unique look – and a home that definitely won’t look like you’ve time-traveled back to the 1950s or someone’s sneaked into your apartment while you were out and taken everything except the sofa.
So if you are ready for a home decor makeover, here are our five top tips to help you mix your decor styles like a true pro:
1. Create a Mood Boad
This may seem kinda obvious but, it’s so easy to get off track and buy stuff that doesn’t create a cohesive design when it’s all put together.
Pinterest is a wonderful resource. It’s the perfect place to start collecting reference photos of the things you like. Create yourself a new private board for your makeover project refer to it before you go ahead and buy new bathroom tiles, flooring, paint, new furniture, etc. to ensure the things you choose are definitely in keeping with the look you aiming to achieve.
There are also some get resources out there for putting together your own custom mood board.
You can sign up for the pro version if you wish, but Canva lets you create a free mood board and even allows you to upload your own images. I created the mood boards above and below in Canva’s free version to show you what you can do.
2. Choose Your Color Palette
The best way to create a harmonious look and develop your own personal style is with a color palette. If, for example, you are going for the traditional look or style, the first thing you will need to do is to establish the theme. The theme could be, country, French, or English.
After you have the theme, then you will need to find the colors that will complement this theme. For this example, your color palette may include deep browns, green, blue, or yellow, and maybe a few pastels depending on the theme you choose.
You should try to keep your palette very simple and choose just a few colors. The palette that you choose will be the one that you use for everything including any other style aesthetics you choose to incorporate into the overall look.
3. Cherry Pick Your Style Elements
Take some time to think about what it is that you like about a particular style. If, like me, you love the hand-made and natural qualities of boho but find it a little too fussy. You can pair the design down and make it minimalist.
Conversely, this is also a great combo if you like the simplicity of minimalism but find it a little stark. Remember, minimalism doesn’t mean everything has to be white …or empty for that matter – just keep things very simple and elegant. “Less is more” as they say.
4. Choose a Decor That Matches the Architectural Style of Your Home
Whether you live in a Modern, Mid-Century, or Victorian home, it’s usually better to choose a style that is most in keeping with the building you live in. If you live in a 1950’s home, for example, a nod to mid-century modern interior design will work so much better than Victorian. Victorian style (even if it’s faux) doesn’t look so “faux” in a Victorian building. To this end, you might want to change your furniture so that it looks more in keeping with the period of your property.
5. Add Accents
If you don’t want to go all out or you just want to add a hint of another aesthetic to your existing style to soften it or give it a more contemporary feel, a great way to do this is to add a few finishing touches. Here are some ideas:
- Country style is a popular theme that is quite traditional. The style is usually centered around home decor items such as quilts, bedding, and pillows. You can incorporate country touches in the space with accents such as baskets and wreaths.
- Industrial style incorporates a rustic, rough and masculine feel. The decor items incorporate industrial materials that include wood, iron, and other rustic materials. You can incorporate industrial touches with lighting, dark woods, rough brick, and exposed ceilings.
- Rustic Style. If your decor is more on the rustic side, maybe look to more classic options – think about an antique rug with an armchair, or classic furniture. A combination of ‘rustic’ and ‘traditional’ furniture pieces is a great way to create a room that has that ‘homey’ feel – think of something old and well-loved.
- Shabby Chic Style. We’re not going to lie, we’re big fans of the shabby chic style. This style is all about using a variety of old and vintage items, like chairs, tables, and other décor, to create a look that’s warm, cozy, and unique. There’s not much to this style of room, but it’s full of personality and it mixes well with Farmhouse, Coastal, Cottagecore, Scandinavian Rustic and Boho. Why? All of the decor is aged and vintage, including the rugs, the furniture, the wallpaper, and even the plants.
I hope you found these tips helpful. If you have any tips of your own you’d like to share, please do leave a comment below.
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