Which Interior Style are you

Confused by all the styles out there, what they mean and which one is best for you? We asked the experts, so we could explain the styles in a simple way. We have also given you some guidance on how to apply them to your home. 

Coastal

Beige Panelled Bedhead
Beige Panelled Velvet Bedhead

Basically, this means ‘beachy’. This lovely style is relaxed, easy-going and incorporates lovely natural elements. While you may think Coastal is Nautical, it is not. With coastal, you need more clean, crisp, light and soft tones. 

  • Furniture – natural textures like rattan, wicker, weathered woods and such. 
  • Rugs – Jute, straw and simple fabrics (no shine, metallics  or glitter!)
  • Wood – weathered, white-washed or blonde 
  • Walls – usually best to use crisp whites and neutrals.
  • Other – light, light light. You want lots of it. Natural light that is. 

Hamptons

Duck Egg Blue Studded Bedhead
Duck Egg Blue Velvet Studded Bedhead with Curved Corners

Now, this style has not just grown in popularity, it is OFF THE CHARTS thanks to the amazing work of Three Birds Renovations. They have made this beautiful style and renovating in general totally achievable. 

I like to think that this style is somewhere between Coastal and Contemporary. It is light, whitewashed but sophisticated. 

  • Furnishings – Oversized, overstuffed, linen, or upholstered in pale neutrals. Plump upholstered cushions.
  • Decor – China bowls, ceramics in white and blue, open shelving. Side tables in natural/white-painted timbers or rattan and cane go nicely as well. 
  • Rugs – Natural fibres like jute, sisal, cotton and wool. Alternatively washed out blues work beautifully as well!
  • Walls – Crisp white with a low sheen finish. 
  • Floor – timber is always wonderful, however, not all of us have the luxury of timber floors! So alternatively, you can choose natural tones and simple textures with carpet (think sandy shores and driftwood). 
  • Other – White, white and more white. 

Contemporary

Navy Velvet Wide Panelled Bedhead
Navy Velvet Wide Panelled Bedhead

Put simply, ‘Contemporary Style’ is simple, subtle, sophisticated with small doses of textures and colour. 

  • Furnishings – Bold but simple and uncluttered. Geometric shapes. 
  • Decor – Metal, stone and clear glass all work well. If you need a little warmth, add in heavily textured fabrics for curtains/pillows etc
  • Rugs – Simple, smooth, plain or geometric patterns.
  • Walls – If your accessories are bold, then neutral walls. If you dare you can do bold coloured walls but balance this out with neutral trims and accessories. 
  • Colour – Neutrals, black and white. That is not to say you can’t use colour but if you do a pastel or colour on the walls then make the trim should be white/neutral and all other items should be neutral. 
  • Other – a very important rule with this style is ‘lines and space’. Lines should be strong and clean. This means high ceilings, bare windows and geometric shapes in your wall art and sculptures. Give every item space around it, lots of space. 

Industrial

Tan Leather Upholstered Bedhead
Tan Leather Upholstered Bedhead

Whilst many of us think this style is all New York lofts, black metal windows, raw unfinished wood and exposed bricks – but that doesn’t mean you cannot have a touch of NY in your home. Basically, all it is is ‘fuss-free no-nonsense’ decor. 

It is a great meeting place between modern and timeworn and tends to lend itself to an environmentally friendly approach as it uses a lot of recycled, upcycled and salvaged materials. 

  • Furnishings – Utilitarian and hardworking materials – velvet, wood, aluminium, steel, tin, copper and stone are all great materials for this style. 
  • Decor – keep accessories minimal and clutter-free. Large abstract wall art and metal structures to decorate. 
  • Rugs – Opt for square and rectangle rugs with neutral tones. 
  • Walls – Neutral palettes – grey, black and white. 
  • Colour – As above use neutrals with pops of moody colours. Burnt orange, teal, port, navy etc. 
  • Other – This style lends itself to a more masculine style so if you are unsure…. channel Sookie from Gilmore Girls and think if what you are adding is the equivalent of ‘nailing bacon to the wall’. Think exposed pipes, concrete floors and marrying wood and metal together.

Art Deco

Deco Fans Velvet Bedhead
Deco Fans Velvet Bedhead

What is it? Think The Great Gatsby. The glamour of the 20s in the 2020’s. 

  • Furnishings – Strong streamlined shapes with no frills and large in scale. 
  • Decor – Velvet, mirrors, chrome, glass and animal prints. Stylised animals, sunbursts, feathers, nude sculptures. 
  • Rugs – Large! Geometric prints. 
  • Walls – Beige’s are usually a wonderful choice as a backdrop to the big furniture, bold colour pops and interesting decor accessories. 
  • Colour – Gold, silver and black mixed with bright deep yellows, reds, greens, blues and pinks.

Classic

Royal Blue Curved Velvet Bedhead
Royal Blue Curved Velvet Bedhead

Think calm, orderly and predictable (in the best sense of the word of course!). Some would call this style, timeless and traditional. Another key rule of this style is symmetry. Find your focal point of the room, accentuate it and move out from there. Matchy-matchy so two chairs side my side mirroring each other in their direction and placing. 

  • Furnishings – Before you add more furnishings or change anything. Start by simply repositioning your furniture you may be surprised and how much this can achieve a classic look with little effort and $. This means symmetry and finding your focal point. Once you find your focal point move your furniture around this – be it a fireplace, french doors or simply the centre of the room. 
  • Decor – Whatever you do think symmetry! It is like Noah’s Arc but for cushions and artwork. 
  • Rugs – Subtle patterns and stripes with block colours.
  • Walls – Off-white is always a great choice here and then use your accessories and furnishings to introduce colour. 
  • Colour – Soft not bold. Look to nature for your colour palette. Look to yellow, blues, greens and browns in soft tones. Be sure to tie everything in. i.e. use the same colour as your arm chairs and create cushions in the same colour for your couch. 

Contemporary Kids

Blush Pink Velvet Panelled Bedhead
Blush Pink Velvet Panelled Bedhead

As above the key is subtle and sophisticated but not to worry there can be pops of fun colour and texture in there too. After all this is a kids bedroom! 

  • Furnishings – Try to limit the amount of furnishings and keep space for the eye and also the kids to play!
  • Decor – Let them direct the theme or pick something you know they like and build it from there. With so many wonderful businesses creating beautiful minimalistic, stylish decor items for kids rooms – the hardest part will be picking! 
  • Rugs – Tie the rug/s into the colours of the bedroom and think geometric shapes like circles and rectangles. 
  • Walls – Neutral colours are the best here then you can have fun with your furnishings and decor!
  • Colour – keep the number of colours limited. So pick 1 – 3 colours and use these throughout. 

Modern

Grey Neutral Velvet Panelled Bedhead
Grey Neutral Velvet Panelled Bedhead

Modern style is clean, crisp lines and simple colours. It also involved modern furnishings and eliminating unnecessary details, bits-and-bobs and general clutter. Very similar to contemporary style but colours for modern tend to be monochromatic.

  • Furnishings – Low, horizontal with clean lines. Natural materials such as unpainted wood, metals, leather and other natural fibres. 
  • Decor – Uncluttered. Unadorned. 
  • Rugs – Simple.
  • Walls – Neutral, neutral, neutral. 
  • Colours – Neutral, neutral, neutral. 

Traditional

Royal Blue Velvet Tufted Bedhead with Curve Top and Wings
Royal Blue Velvet Tufted Bedhead with Curve Top and Wings

Traditional is a timeless style with a hint of royalty. 

  • Furnishings – Heavy and ornate. Heavy & tufted upholstery and carved wood. Velvet, silk and leather. 
  • Decor – Grand. Candle holders, vases, chandeliers, china, oil paintings. 
  • Rugs – Heavy. 
  • Walls – Crown moulding, columns and wood pannellng. 
  • Colours – Neutrals. 

So, which style speaks to you? Which are you following without even realising it?! 

 

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