COMMON INTERIOR DESIGN STYLES

CONTEMPORARY
Contemporary style encompasses a range of styles developed in the latter half of the 20th
century. Pieces feature softened and rounded lines as opposed to the stark lines seen in modern
design. Interiors contain neutral elements and bold color, and they focus on the basics of line,
shape and form. Here's how the style breaks down:
Colors
Contemporary interiors feature tone-on-tone color palettes relying heavily on brown, taupe,
cream and pure white. Shots of color are sometimes found on a single wall, in a striking floor rug
or in a special piece of art.
Furniture
Pieces feature clean lines and smooth surfaces without any carving or adornment. Silhouettes are
slim without being dainty. Furniture is made of light-colored woods such as maple and birch
(which also have minimal graining), frosted or clear glass, stainless steel, nickel and chrome.
Fabrics
Natural fabrics such as silk, wool, linen and cotton are used for their textural aspect and inherent
neutral hues. However, bold color or geometric pattern may be brought into the design with
pillows, a rug or a throw.
Lighting
The lighting design is used as an artistic statement in a contemporary interior. Floor and table
lamps have straight lines and sleek metallic finishes; color might be introduced with a special
shade. Recessed or track lighting draws attention to well-placed art and accessories.
Floors
Anything from a simple carpet of one color to a polished concrete floor would work well.
Equally a wooden or laminate floor finish would look awesome. Just remember that this look is
about 'simplicity'.
Walls
stay away from busy walls with fussy wallpaper. Keep your walls 'basic', best to choose flat
painted with some fabulous artwork.
Line and Space
The most obvious and distinctive element of a contemporary style interior design is line. It's
found in architectural details, use of bold color blocks, high ceilings, bare windows, and
geometric shapes in wall art and sculpture. The bare space, on walls, between pieces of furniture,
and above in upper areas, becomes as important as the areas filled with objects. In contemporary
interiors, less is more. Each piece stands out as individual and unique.
Take advantage of structural elements. Air ducts may hang from a ceiling, broken bricks provide
texture and stability, and exposed plumbing pipes are perfectly acceptable in a contemporary
style interior. To draw the eye, paint these structural details in bold contrasting colors, or to
diminish their importance, blend them with the walls.

CLASSIC
Classical interior design is based on order, symmetry and balance which relates to the ideals of
the Greek and Roman empires. A primary element in classical style is the use of a focal point
around which visual balance is achieved, for example a feature fireplace flanked on either side
by matching armchairs with an ornate mirror above. The colour palette common to classical
interior design style is often inspired by nature. A variety of yellows, blues, greens, browns as
well as softer, muted hues like terracottas, grays and pinks are commonly used. When accenting
with whites, choose off-white if you want to stay in keeping with a more authentic classical
colour palette. Choose bright white if you want a slightly more contemporary feel instead.
Fabrics used in classical interior design style tend to be elegant without being overly ornate or
attention grabbing. Cotton, canvas and velvet are some commonly used in classic interiors.
Natural flooring of wood, stone or marble works best in the classically styled environment as
they relate well to the natural colour schemes used.
The key identifying fetaure of the classic style is symmetry with each side of the room mirrored
on either side of a central focal point. Columns are also a feature of classic design, realting back
to greek and roman architcture, and as such vertical, tone-on-tone stripes on the walls or curtains
can represent this. The use of classical ornamentation can also be used to identify a room as
being of the classical style.
To Recap, the main characteristics of the classic interior design style are...
• Order, symmetry and balance are key.
• Room ordered around a focal point, such as the fireplace.
• Natural colours and materials.
• Elegant fabrics.

SHABBY CHIC
Shabby Chic interior design presents a soft, feminine feel that differentiates this look from other
vintage styles. It is a uniquely romantic way of decorating that first originated in the the 1980’s
in the United Kingdom. Shabby Chic interior design consists of furnishings that are either chosen
for their appearance of age and signs of wear and tear, or where new items are distressed to
achieve the appearance of an antique. At the same time, a soft, opulent, yet cottage-style decor,
often with an affected feel is emphasized to differentiate it from genuine period decor.
• Furniture: Shabby Chic furnishings show signs of wear and distressed, time-worn and
painted layers.
• Fabrics: Fabrics tend to be cottons and old French linens. Whites and pastels are favorite
colors.
• Decor: Popular decor items are pillows made of vintage fabrics, vintage linens, chenille
bedspreads, vintage chandeliers, and anything with roses on it. Decor: the bigger the
sofa the better! Exaggerated sofas with washable slipcovers are the host of this concept.
Essentially you could accessorize the look with secondhand, flea-market furniture and
objects which make this style very relevant in today's economy.
• Color: Soft white, pale pink, mint green, light grey all make up a fantastic shabby chic
style color palette.
• Accessories: What you are trying to do is get the balance right between elegant things
with the old and worn.
• Shiny silver accessories look fantastic placed on top of painted wooden tables and go for
soft throw rugs that are finished in dreamy soft floral patterns and rough old lace.
• Wrought iron curtain rods with sheer curtains look really great and help add to your
room.
• A great addition to your space is to add freshly cut flowers into a beautiful vase and let
soft scented candles and aromas fill your hallway. It creates an inviting and memorable
atmosphere to your home.

FUNKY
Funky modern decor eschews the coordinated look of interiors past. Mismatched textiles,
accessories and furnishings bring together a room simply because the objects reflect your unique
aesthetic. For example, a small detail such as metallic gold thread can bring together a modern,
India-inspired interior that incorporates saris as table coverings and window treatments. A
bedroom might feature all repurposed pieces, such as a wrought iron bed frame painted
periwinkle blue, an old door as a headboard and vintage fabric used as cafe-style curtains on the
windows.
Effects
A funky modern interior feels welcoming. Collections and finds are on view to serve as focal
points and start conversations. Bright throw pillows, floor cushions, rugs and mats provide soft
landings for family and friends. Little details, such as a pom-pom trim on a pillow or a hand-
painted border on a bookcase, bring the room to life and express your unique style.
 RUSTIC
Rustic interior design is unpretentious, emphasizing organic textures and shapes. It incorporates
items that are homespun, timeworn and handcrafted as well as earthy colors, re-purposed objects,
barn-inspired elements and weathered materials.
Rustic charm is about retaining a natural look and works well with handcrafted, rough-hewn
wood, organic materials and wrought iron. Create a color palette inspired from nature using
subtle browns, greens, reds and sandy tones to give the interior space an earthy and rustic feel.
The style is characterized by such features as:
 The use of natural materials (wood, stone, textured fabrics: canvas, burlap);
 The essence of Rustic style is simplicity, naturalness, solidity, rudeness;
 Expressly simple manufacturing of furniture and decoration artlessness;
 The lack of modern materials: metal, plastic, synthetic fabrics;
 Natural colors (shades of brown, green, gold, gray);
 Feeling of hand-made creation of furniture items and decorative elements;
 The special atmosphere of harmony with nature.