Interior Design Styles: Look and Learn What You Love

One of the most popular search queries right now is “interior design styles.”

Why? Because that’s what first occurs to many people wanting to update their environments, even though what they like might not fit into any style with a name.

Still…it’s where people start. Plug in “interior design styles” online and you’ll find guides and galleries of all the current styles in vogue. (By the way, if a style is in vogue, that means that at another time, it will be out of style.)

I won’t mince words…I don’t typically steer clients to a specific “style.” I help them find their unique style. Nonetheless, common interior design style names give us a frame of reference.

So, by popular request (since I’ve been asked for this many times now), I’m finally providing my own interior design style guide.

My final words of wisdom…use this as a launchpad to recognize what kinds of things you like. Don’t stop at the style name…read further to understand what makes a certain style what it is, and you’ll start to see the specific design features that YOU really love!!

Interior Desing Styles: The Basics

The core interior design styles that have been most prominent for the last few decades include:

1. Traditional
2. Transitional
3. Contemporary
4. Modern
5. Eclectic
6. Maximalist
7. Glam
8. Thematic (like nautical, country, and many more)

There are other style names I KNOW you’ve seen…but they’ve been around shorter. They were passing fads, and I was honestly OK with seeing some of them go. (Those include names like “old world” and “Bohemian.” There are other trending styles that have more recently gained popularity, too, like “biophilic,” “grandmillennial,” and “Scandinavian.”)

Let’s focus, though, on the core interior design styles with tenure. I could write a whole thesis on each one…but a picture is worth a thousand words. Let’s look at recent photos I took at different industry showrooms and break down which style each represents…

As you scroll…take note of what you like, and what jumps out at you!!

First, this showroom has a blend of modern and contemporary. The features that make it fall into those buckets include:

• The circular, plush orange chairs with a mid-century modern vibe
• The modern, clustered hanging lights with metallic finish
• The modern earthy tones

Read about more modern lighting trends.

Next, this showroom could be described as contemporary with a touch of modern glam.

Why?

• The green velvet chair is both luxurious and modern
• The gold legs of the table add a hint of glamour
• The combination of deep green, neutral tones, and metallic accents is sophisticated and contemporary
• The rich texture contrasts between the chair, table, wall, and floor add depth and interest in a very contemporary way

This image is definitely thematic! You could call it coastal, or beach inspired. Here’s why:

• The sea-inspired color palette of blues and sandy beige
• The wall art shouts “sunbathing!”
• The furniture gives an open, comfortable vibe, which is perfect for the beach
• The space is open and airy, which is key in coastal design

If you’re not sure you want to marry a theme, but you like a certain look, see my video on how to use thematic design without overdoing it…

This showcases transitional interior design style. That means it has elements of traditional interior design but softens the “fussiness” with elements of contemporary design, too. Here’s how:

• The neutral color palette (including the deep, timeless blue) is more modern
• The elegant drapes and textured fabric on the ottoman (not to mention all those tassels!) are detail-rich and traditionally styled
• The chairs have a somewhat traditional shape, but with a modern twist on the arms

This is a good example of eclectic interior design style. That means it has a mix of styles, textures, and—above all—colors to create a unique look.

• The mix of furniture is HIGHLY diverse, from look and feel to texture and material
• The color palette is bold with bright, warm yellows and a bronze-like brown
• Not only are there lots of textures, but the textures are layered one over the next…

Here’s an example of modern glam interior design.

• The bold color palette focuses on several shades of pink
• The statement lighting instantly draws the eye
• The furniture isn’t only bold and beautiful, it’s also designed deliberately for comfort
• The paint texture and miscellaneous décor is all intentionally selected (and quite chic)

This showroom gives us an example of transitional interior design style, but this time with a touch of Chinoiserie influence.

• The neutral colors provide the base, allowing the ottomans to give us a pop of color
• The ornate mirror with lattice-like design is a hallmark of Chinoiserie style, adding elegance and an exotic touch to the space
• The space is overall balanced and symmetrical
• Décor is minimal, keeping the space contemporary and visually “clean”

Here’s a modern interior design style example. That’s the style’s name: modern!! This means it has clean lines, a neutral palette, and a focus on functionality. For example, look at:

• The whites, grays, and blacks in the overall palette
• The clean lines in the furniture
• The open and spacious layout
• And the contemporary lighting

Just for fun, let’s look at this maximalist eclectic scene. It has:

• Bold and vibrant colors
• A varied look of furniture styles and décor selections
• Layered patterns and textures
• And statement lighting and art…lots of it

Keep reading to learn the “dos” and “do nots” of maximalism…it’s a harder design style than you think!!

Next, let’s break down another transitional example. This one has:

• Another neutral color palette, this one more beige-based
• A mix of modern furniture (look at the side table) and more modern selections (like the ottomans)
• The textures in this scene are distinctive, too
• And, once again, there’s a balanced, symmetrical look

Right behind the last showroom set-up, I found this one!! You can call this eclectic glam.

• The bold patterns and chunky textures are “eye candy,” each providing instant accents
• The mix of furniture styles includes traditional, modern, contemporary, and glam selections
• Other glam accents include the gold lamps, a decorative mirror, and side tables

This photo showcases transitional style once again, but this time, with a pretty big lean toward traditional influences.

• The furniture blends modern and traditional, but the colors and fabrics favor a more traditional vibe
• You can spot multiple mirrors, which itself is a traditional design feature…but the mirrors selected include both traditional and modern designs
• The use of subtle patterns never gets bolder than the geometric shapes on the pink chairs…otherwise, the patterns are understated and elegant

Hello, black and white interior design palette!! This is a modern eclectic space. It has:

• A neutral but boldpalette with HIGH contrast
• Modern furniture with clean lines mixed in with ornate and decorative selections (like the sumptuous chandelier and beautiful ceiling molding)
• The beaded detail on the chandelier is certainly unique!!
• The artwork in the space was thoughtfully chosen to complement the design without overwhelming it

This last photo showcases transitional eclectic design style. The characteristic features of this style include:

• A mix of traditional and modern furniture, from the classic armchairs to the modern curved sofa
• Eclectic décor, like the birdcage light fixture and ornate mirror
• Neutral but warm color palette favoring beige, brown, and mustard yellow
• More layered textures and patterns

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: when I work with clients, I guide them to their own style. If I walked you through our award-winning indoor-outdoor pool cabana renovation or the SUPER stunning and stylized lake house legacy home we did, you wouldn’t find the styles above without combining several “types” at once.

Instead, those projects reflect the people who live there. Their style. Their taste. Their personality.

This is part of what makes a space truly timeless. A timeless kitchen, for example, is one where you can’t discern when it was last updated!! If you buy too much into any one style, or ESPECIALLY a rising trend (like these 2024 interior design trends), you’re signing up to re-do your space again as soon as that “look” is out.

Still…you can use these interior design styles as a knowledge base. Then, work with your interior designer and say, “I like style X, but because of its clean lines” or “because of its layered textures.” When it comes to expressing your style and taste, the only “right” or “wrong” is what you truly love!

READ: the goal of investing in your home is to keep loving your home, in new ways, more than ever…and as long as you’re in it.

Share your reflections with me!! Join my private interior design group for homeowners and tell me what interiors jump out at you!

About the author

Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.

In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.

In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.