Interior Design a Guide to Style
The Insiders Guide to Design
Tilson 15” patterned-checked blue-tiles $20 Overstock.com Maya Lavender 16¼"H x 18½"diameter ceramic planter in blue, $34 CrateandBarrel.com.
Bohemian Wild and free .........3-4
Coastal Shore vibes ............5-6
Rustic
Farmhouse inspired.......7-8
Modern Minimalist Chic and simple............9-10
Coastal Candle Holder 16¼"H x 4½"diameter Base and candle, $30 PierOne.com
Introduction
I
nterior design and interior decorating are often mistaken for the same thing, but the terms are not completely interchangeable. Your first step should be to select a style for your home interior. This will promote the design principle of unity and harmony, thinking of the entire home with a unifying theme. It can be as simple as choosing casual instead of formal or traditional instead of contemporary. All artists, whether painters, sculptors, architects, or interior decorators work with these same basic elements to achieve certain effects, all of which must work together to form a unified whole. Not only will an understanding of design styles serve you well if you need some tips to style your home, but it will also empower you to discover your style preference. Here are some of the most popular interior styles that need to be on your design radar. Every artist has their own preference just as every person has a style that they are drawn to. Through this, develop your own personal style and draw from the inspiration around you. Use these styles as inspiration for your interior design journey!
W
hen it’s done right, a space with bright bohemian decor exudes creativity in a tasteful way. The art of layering patterns, mixing colors, and combining furniture styles can give a room a fun and free-spirited vibe. If you’re ready to step outside of your comfort zone to experiment with this casual chic aesthetic, look no further than this collection of gorgeous bohemian rooms and products. Bohemian design is generally inspired by those who lead a freespirited, norm-defying life, like travelers, writers, artists, etc. “What we now
understand as ‘bohemianism’ from a design perspective emerged from early nineteenth century France, when artists moved into the lowerrent Romani (gypsy) areas of Paris, in order to seek alternatives to bourgeois expectations. This convergence of cultures gave rise to a kind of vagabond lifestyle, where the pursuit of wealth was abandoned
in the search for a creative life and alternative ideals of beauty. Bohemian design today is about incorporating many different things from different philosophies, parts of the world, and ways of life. The result is an eclectic style that’s as diverse as the people who inspire it. “It’s a free-spirited aesthetic rooted in cultural mixing and an artistic sensibility. Throw your design
Grand Mosiac Lantern Jewel Mosiac Stones 30”W x 50”H $150 Wayfair.com
rulebook out the window. If you’re following a formula to achieve bohemian design, you’re probably not succeeding. Bohemian design thinks outside the box—it’s random, eclectic, and devoid of structure and order. That often results in a room that’s bright, colorful, and patterned, but those aren’t tenants you must follow in order to achieve a boho aesthetic. Feel free to experiement with bold colors, and inter-mixing patterns! Let your personality shine through your design.
W
Seahorse Vase 20¼"H x 18½"diameter Glass vase in blue, $65 Overstock.com
hen it comes to defining different interior design styles, coastal interior design is often confused with nautical interior design styles. However, what sets coastal interior design apart is the laidback yet chic look. Modern coastal design embodies the atmosphere of a beautiful seaside retreat through color and furniture picks. Neutral and vibrant colors form the basis of the style as well as its texture-rich features that enhance its earthy aesthetic. Coastal style gets a bad rap for being tacky, but that’s when it’s mistaken for nautical style. Done right, this relaxing trend can make a home feel like a high-end island getaway. Refreshing and relaxing is what a home with a beachy interior design feels like. For that, we can thank this design style’s light color palette. Crisp whites and neutrals form the basis of coastal interior design, and the lighter, the better. When it comes to color
in a modern coastal design, less
is more. Light walls will certainly make the interior feel roomier and crisp white linen can add a holiday touch to a home. Don’t be afraid to play with neutral colors. Mixing sandy and white tones can result in a beautifully beach-inspired home. Modern beach house decor is unlike the traditional beachy motifs we associate with coastal interiors. Now, subtle seaside touches in artwork or textured décor pieces add the finishing touches to a harmonious coastal style home. These beachy colors, like white and turquoise, or textures from rock, sand, and shell, can make a house feel like an island paradise. Apart from playing with color, you can enhance the coastal appeal by adding a typical seaside element,
like a hammock. You can embrace coastal elements without it looking tacky. Start by avoiding clichéd anchor and fishy prints. Instead, let the landscape guide you. Bluegreen glass vases, earthy ceramics, jute grass rug, and different blues can remake your home. If you have one thing inside a coastal home, it needs to be abundant light. Interiors should never feel dim or cramped, but rather, light, open, and airy. You want to feel as though there’s no boundary between indoors and outdoors, so large windows, glass doors, and skylights are key to achieving this. Coastal deisgn can bring something to your home that is so calming you will feel as if the shore has been brought straight to your door. See what the sea can bring to your design lifestyle all while staying in the comfort of your home!
Coastal Inks Wall Art 20"H x 20”W Orginal wall art $120 Wayfair.com
Coral With its intricate design, coral patterns can be an interesting asset to your living space.
Shells Shells are the ultimate reminder of coastal living. Use this design in throw pillows or accent blankets.
Great Oak Front Door 6ftH x 8inW White Cherry Oak $2,000 Lowes.com
relaxing atmosphere. When looking for the ideal modern rustic living room, it should feel comfortable, cozy, and welcoming. It’s a space that everyone can resonate with because of the marriage of the two styles together (modern and rustic). The flawless modern rustic home isn’t complete without an ample amount of cozy textiles. Because the clean lines of modern design can sometimes seem harsh
T
he best rustic interiors find a perfect balance between rough and comforting. This design style highlights the authentic beauty of natural materials, celebrates unfussy tastes and simply makes us feel at home. Stripping a house back to expose its original features, whether that be classical panels or ceiling beams, is often a more effective way of creating harmony in your home than filling it with fur throws and candles (although that works too). When trying to achieve a modern rustic style interior design there are a few key elements to incorporate that give off that ideal modern rustic vibe. One important element in all modern rustic rooms is the use of wood accents. Whether that’s a wood art installment, unique coffee table, or accessories the warm tones of wood are always welcomed. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is using the same tones of wood. If you like more of a warm feel to your space use richer colored accents. If you like more of a cool feeling dark woods and grey tones are the answer for you! By keeping the color scheme neutral it automatically becomes a more
it’s important to balance out the space with the use of textiles. Integrating soft texture into the space is a big factor of what makes modern rustic design style so welcoming and warm. With a nod to the eclectic style, modern rustic living rooms are the picture-perfect place to incorporate antiques into the design. Adding personal mementos that have been passed down are not only great conversation
starters but also bring a smile to your face when you see them. Isn’t that a goal we should all have for our homes? Whether this is a piece of furniture you can’t part with or a collection you love to display, the contrast between modern touches and antique additions make the space feel more collected and lived in.
Chunky Knit Chunky knit can come in the form of throws or pillows to bring ultimate comfort to your living space.
Wood Panels Wood paneling creates the ultimate rustic feel even in the most moden living rooms.
Vintage Floral These vintage patterns contrast with bold colors to bring the perfect balance between old and new.
Mandala Hanging Planter Ceramic vase in Cream White $35 Amazon.com
Cherry Oak China Cabinet 60H x 20½"W Glass vase in blue, $65 AmishOutlet.com
Mini-Pine Candle Vanilla-Pine $15 Target.com
Geo Hanging Planter 20¼"H x 18½"diameter Plastic Vase $43 Bed BedBathandBeyond.com Tassle desk Lamp 12”H x 6”W Base White and Black $55 PierOne.com
T
he main mantra of minimalist home decor is simplicity through and through. Keep it spare, tone decor down, pare every aspect back, and live by a “less is more” and “everything needs a place and a reason” approach. Think clean, modern lines, a tight edit, a concise color palette, and pared down silhouettes. Don’t shy away from creating a layered, warm, rich, and inviting minimalist home with a gallerylike setting from room to room as this is, after all, a place of comfort and refuge. To embrace minimalist room ideas, here’s a brief look at everything you’ll want to highlight to inject your home with minimalist interior design instantly:
Since minimalist design is all about bare-boned beauty, celebrate your homes architectural details by using them to your advantage by designing around them rather than concealing them. Simplicity and need go hand in hand with minimalist home design aesthetics
with one never outweighing the other, as you’ll need to justify each elements existence when bringing in new items to keep a tight edit in check. Declutter as much as possible, invest in stylish storage and devise quick daily cleaning routes to keep with the design styles.
Practice less is more, and live by it as this will always be the most trying yet rewarding aspect in mastering minimalist decor. By creating a concise palette, you’ll have a better sense of direction in creating a well-edited, modern minimalist house grounded with neutrals that are easy to work with including whites, creams, blacks, and grays. Remember that less is more and a clean spirt is an absolute yes!