The 30 Essential Interior Design Styles You Need to Know

The 1770s to the early 1800s encapsulated Sweden’s Gustavian era. Named for the two kings of that period, this interior design style is a more streamlined version of Rococo. Curved silhouettes became straight, and intricate millwork was shown on doors, columns, and furniture. Pastel hues were indicative of this design period, as were slim, tapered furniture legs. The design of this age was largely symmetrical.

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Somewhere on the spectrum between Scandinavian and Japanese interior design styles is Japandi. Low furniture and natural materials are key elements of this aesthetic, and you can expect the color palettes to remain neutral. You’ll frequently also see paper lanterns and imperfect ceramics in Japandi spaces.

Related Story: What Japandi Style Is, According to Designers

More elevated than a rustic cabin, the alpine interior design style encompasses cozy mountain living. These spaces are often inspired by Swiss ski chalets and the French Alps. Raw materials like reclaimed wood, stone, and iron all make appearances, and high-pile textiles like shearling, wool, and velvet add to the layered look. Take this Jeremiah Brent-designed space as an excellent example of the moodier side of the style.

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A more laid-back version of traditional coastal design, California Coastal brings comfort and natural textures to the forefront. Chaney Widmer, the interior designer behind Mix & Match Design Co, explains that this style encapsulates a ‘tailored yet casual’ energy, similar to Californians themselves. Color palettes consist of neutrals, greens, and blues, while materials used often include wood, rattan, leather, and linen.

Related Story: Everything You Need to Know About California Coastal Design

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Biophilic design puts a connection to nature at the top of its core principles. From including large-scale installations like plant walls and green roofs to using recycled materials in furniture and upholstery, biophilic takes eco-friendly living to a new level. Focus on incorporating a lot of natural light and greenery to get started.

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Similar to the, well, Traditional interior design style, this Southern take on it offers more chances to have fun. Often seen with brighter color palettes and more pattern mixing, Southern Traditional adds a touch of whimsy to the Traditional interior style. This home in Atlanta, designed by Anna-Wooten Loggins has bursts of color everywhere, not just the kids’ spaces. Monograms are a must-have, and wallpaper is welcome everywhere from the powder room to the den.

There are several types of coastal aesthetics, but none are as specific as the Palm Beach style. Known for its sea-inspired hues, colorful prints, and playful furniture silhouettes (picture a lot of scallops and woven textures), this style is as sophisticated as it is playful. This home by Kemble Interiors displays it perfectly.

Though it has recently become a catchall term for anything 20th-century, “midcentury modern” refers to designs from the middle of the 20th century (generally the mid-1940s to early 1970s). Though Frank Lloyd Wright created his own signature style of organic modernism, several classic midcentury modern details are apparent in this restored prefab house of his design: warm wood paneling, brown bathroom tiles, and chrome plumbing. Japanese influence—as seen by the folding screen atop the bed—was also prominent in American midcentury modernism.

Related Story: 40 Midcentury Modern Living Rooms That Get the Retro Balance Right

Not to be confused with industrial design, which refers to work made for industrial purposes, neo-industrial, or industrial-style interior design borrows elements of industrial architecture—like the concrete walls, steel details, and spartan windows in this home by Kathleen McCormick—for use in residential interiors.

Designer Corey Damen Jenkins has a knack for making a home’s traditional interior design style look fresh—he even wrote a book titled Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms. In this dining room, paneled mahogany walls are lit by 19th-century sconces, and an antique table is surrounded by Louis XVI chairs.

Spaces that bridge the gap between modern and traditional—like this living room by Marie Flanigan—are dubbed transitional. Here, the designer pairs classic elements like a bench seat sofa and antique coffee table with modern lines on the stone side table and 21st-century artwork.

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Combining colors, patterns, and textures is the path to a maximalist interior. If you’re inclined to go for a “more is more” approach, you’ll hardly go wrong. The trick to having it not look overwhelming is balance. Take inspiration from our 2023 Whole Home where designer Isabel Ladd decked out the primary suite in perfectly paired palettes.

At its core, the Scandinavian interior design style is characterized by an aesthetic that combines minimalism with coziness and functionality. Picture high-pile rugs and natural wood tones, crisp bedding, and clutter-free interiors.

With an eye toward functional simplicity, Farmhouse style “suggests a more humble, vernacular interpretation of American historical styles from the 18th and 19th centuries, whether they be Colonial, Greek Revival, or Victorian,” explains architect Gil Schafer.

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The Americana interior design style blends Farmhouse charm with midcentury-chic elements. Key features include wood paneling, vintage artwork, and functional finishes. To complete the look, consider adding checkerboard prints, patchwork quilts, and vintage solid wood furniture.

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The rough-and-ready cousin of the Farmhouse design style, Rustic design is focused on organic elements (like unpolished stone and natural wood), a neutral color palette, and functionality. The beauty lies within the craftsmanship of the pieces used. Think about this Montana home for inspiration.

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Minimalism is about paring down the decor and color palette to just the basics. Since this interior design style means doing more with less, you’ll often notice the importance of light and contrast in minimalist spaces, like this one by Robson Rak.

Bohemian design combines global influences and an artfully mismatched approach to design. This style mixes colors, patterns, and textures in ways that feel eclectic and exciting. A rich palette of jewel tones and large-scale patterns is key, as is fabric upholstery and natural textures (think rattan, wicker, and seagrass) that bring the outdoors in.

Related Story: 25 Boho Bedrooms to Inspire Your Dream Oasis

Combining elements of Spanish, Italian, and French design, the Mediterranean interior design style is essentially a different spin on coastal style. The go-to color pairing is blue and white, but you can warm it up with terra-cotta, natural wood tones, and earthy textures like rattan and stone.

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French county design combines natural materials, muted paint colors, toile fabrics, extravagant lighting, touches of gold, woven tapestries, and more—all with a rustic touch. Throw matching sets to the curb and focus on antiques rather than buying new pieces. The overall effect of French country decor is meant to be warm, welcoming, and casual.