Choosing the right interior style for your home.
In today’s modern world and with the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, we’ve never had more access to the interior world. And, let us tell you, even as professionals in the design industry, this is both a beautiful blessing and an overwhelming curse!
With an influx of information, often means mass confusion and a bit of a frenzy. If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably created a handful of different Pinterest boards and are still unsure of what interior style you’re into. After years in the industry, it’s taken us a while to identify our signature style, so we thought we’d take one for the team by sharing our tips and tricks on how we choose the interior aesthetics for our different projects. And, how you can apply the same simple strategies to your own home so you can enjoy a chic and stylish space every day of the week.
What are the different interior design styles?
The concept of interior design dates back centuries with very humble beginnings in ancient Egyptian civilisation, where it was used by the elite members of their society to showcase their customs and beliefs. Now, interior design is predominantly used to create beautiful spaces to be enjoyed, whilst also increasing the value of your home - what a win-win!
Over the years, countless different interior styles have emerged and with an abundance of unique design styles, it can be daunting to decipher which style works best for you and your home. In fact, a significant challenge many people face is a lack of understanding or vocabulary to describe and define their personal interior design style which really makes the whole process of decorating extremely difficult.
So, with that said, let’s delve into some of the most popular interior styles to learn a little about how they differ from one another.
Minimalist
This is our go-to and a design style that is super popular at the moment. Minimalism is ultimately defined by a sense of functionality and ultra-clean lines, geometric shapes and no more than two basic colours.
Do’s
Focus on creating large spaces, cohesiveness and balance.
Use materials such as natural stone, ceramics, textured wood and steel.
If you want to accessorise, go for simple and highly functional decor.
Don’ts
Don’t use anything with spiralled patterns.
Avoid adding random items. Unnecessary clutter will ruin this look.
Modern
Modern is a very broad design term that typically refers to a home with clean, crisp lines and a simple colour palette.
Do’s
Use materials with reflective surfaces such as metal, steel and glass.
Go for pieces made from natural materials like wood and leather.
Choose an earthy or neutral colour palette.
Don’ts
Avoid unnecessary detailing.
Don’t use too many curves.
Contemporary
Modern and contemporary are two styles frequently confused, yet it’s important contemporary be distinguished properly because it describes designs based on the here and now. Contemporary is extremely fluid and is much less adherent to one particular style.
Do’s
Stick with neutral colours like white and black for your palette.
Maximise the available structural elements in your house.
Feel free to add feature cushions to make your sofa stand out.
Don’ts
Avoid using floral in any way shape or form!
Don’t use a rug unless totally necessary.
Scandinavian
Commonly known as Scandi, this style has been super popular in recent years due to its strong emphasis on simplicity and functionality.
Do’s
Use lots of texture and soft hues to create a warm, cosy space.
Add Nordic-inspired art pieces throughout the main living areas.
Opt for curtain sheers to maximise the use of natural light.
Don’ts
Don’t use any cool, clinical colour tones.
Don’t use dark coloured wood finishes where possible.
Industrial
As the name suggests, the Industrial style draws inspiration from a warehouse or urban loft which encourages a raw and unfinished style with high ceilings, exposed features and sparse furniture.
Do’s
Highlight exposed pipes by creating an all-white space.
Add furniture such as side tables and dining chairs with metal frames.
Opt for a colour palette associated with industrial spaces such as grey, brown, red, and black.
Don’ts
Don’t be afraid to embrace old materials like timber, steel and pipe.
Stay away from bold and printed patterns.
Mid-Century Modern
Mid-century modern is a throwback to the design style of the mid-1900s - primarily the 1950s and 60s. There is a strong nostalgic element to Mid-Century Modern Design that also embraces strong elements of minimalism.
Do’s
Keep it simple and fuss-free wherever possible. This design is all about functionality.
Look to use simple fabrications only.
Opt for consistent natural and organic shapes to furniture pieces such as the famous Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen.
Don’ts
Avoid adding furniture with frills. Streamlined shapes only.
Say no to patterns in fabric or artwork choices.
How we choose an interior aesthetic for a property
Personal Preference + Our Brand
From our portfolio and social channels, there is no denying that our token interior styles are a combination of Minimalist and Contemporary. Our colour palettes are neutral and airy, our unique furniture collection is simple and streamlined, and nothing about our styling is excessive or flamboyant. Evidently, as a brand, this is our personal preference and something we have worked to help develop our signature look and feel.
When it comes to your own home, it’s important you decipher what your own personal preference is - What style/s are you drawn to? What exactly about those style/s do you like? Will that style support your lifestyle and the functionality of your home? Once you’ve developed a clear understanding of these elements, it will be clear what interior style is meant for you. Your home is your haven and it’s so important you create an environment you love to be in!
A home’s architectural structure + features
Once we’ve established our ideal interior style, next up we look to the existing features of the home and the different architectural elements that make up the property to ensure that we are showcasing these in their absolute best light.
Not sure what you’re looking for? Try assessing the home’s in-built cabinetry, the tile splashbacks or any feature lighting. Look to the different colours, materials and textures used to see if there is an opportunity for you to continue these elements in your styling. It is so important that your furniture and styling choices complement the existing finish of the home to create cohesive theming throughout the entire property.
For example, in a lot of new developments, we see matte black cabinetry paired with raw timber floorboards and Carrera marble stone. Once we identify these materials and colour palette, it’s easy for us to make our Minimalist furniture and styling selections compliment the house accordingly.
Available Budget
Lastly, budgets and available funds play a huge role in choosing the interior style of a home. For you in your own home, you’ll likely be working to a specific budget that you’ve put aside. Our advice is to make bigger investments in timeless furniture pieces that could be applicable to several interior styles as your taste or home changes for years to come. If you’re into Mid-Century Modern, you might want to splurge on an original Eames chair as a special feature piece and opt for more cost effective options elsewhere. If you’re into Contemporary styling you might opt for smaller spends every few years to keep your look fluid and ever-changing - the option is all yours!
For us in property staging, our focus on budget presents differently. We are engaged to elevate the value of the home in order to have the biggest impact on the overall sales transaction. Therefore, we are using interior styling to engage potential buyers. For example, if we are enlisted to support the sale of a multi-million dollar oceanfront home, it’s very important that the interiors of the home support this price point. Our chosen interior finishes need to be elevated to a superior level. This might mean using designer brands throughout the styling to support the premium nature of the home and the buyers that are looking for property in the higher-end of the market.
When you’re applying these concepts to your own home, just remember that you shouldn’t take interiors too seriously. This should be a special, creative outlet for you as you create a beautiful space which will serve as the backdrop of everyday living for years to come - just have fun with it!