Interior design is the art of unifying various components into an aesthetically pleasing whole, from pillows to walls and everything in between. Everything must harmonize with and demonstrate unity with your overall aesthetic. Interior design aesthetics dictate everything.
Aesthetics encompasses your individual style. Take this quiz to help identify what interior design style best represents your tastes.
Art Deco
Art Deco was a lavishly glamorous style of interior design aesthetics popular during the 1920s and 30s, featuring sleek geometric shapes with lavish details that showcased this aesthetic. Art Deco’s design style also showed appreciation for modern technology’s inherent design features (such as planarity and symmetry) which were evident within manufactured objects such as computers or automobiles.
Rounded forms and curvier lines are hallmarks of this design style, often appearing like gears on a clock or as symmetrical structures to symbolize stability or geometric patterns inspired by Egyptian traditions or natural themes. This approach makes the use of curves more challenging; gear-like forms or clock mechanisms may appear mechanical, while more organic styles incorporate natural themes as well.
Art Deco design relies heavily on bold color combinations that stand out, from bright jewel tones like cobalt blue and emerald green to deeper greys and blacks – the high contrast creates an eye-catching effect; pair these deeper tones with metallic accents for an airier, brighter feel.
Mid-Century Modern
Mid-Century Modern (MCM for short) became an international design trend during the 1940s to 1960s, featuring clean lines, organic shapes, and an emphasis on functionality. Since its debut, MCM has enjoyed widespread renown.
MCM pieces tend to avoid ornate details found in traditional pieces and embrace geometric forms and patterns instead. Prints, artwork, and rugs with starbursts or boomerang features, as well as artwork with starbursts or other such details are common features of modernist spaces.
MCM style favors large windows to let in natural light; when this isn’t possible, large mirrors can help reflect and disperse it around a room.
MCM-style furniture also highlights both wood and metal elements, often in stark contrast with each other. Bare, polished wood is especially popular within this genre of design; fabrics with rich textures such as corded welting or button tufting often serve to balance this trend. Earthy greens and oranges, muddy browns, deep blues, and sea blue greens are popular color choices in MCM pieces.
Transitional
Transitional furniture seeks to strike a balance between traditional and contemporary styles in interior design aesthetics. It features clean lines with plush, homely fabrics like linen and cotton; neutral palettes but with warm woods such as oak or acacia providing warmth and adding comfort compared to the dark mahogany of more traditional designs; however in transitional living rooms this light oak or acacia may be chosen instead for maximum impact.
Transitional decor stands out as being free from patterns, instead opting for solid or neutral fabrics like woven rugs and sofas as its foundation, using eye-catching accents with minimal patterns for accentuating secondary spaces of a home.
People typically opt for a combination of colors when creating this look, particularly neutral tones that work with both traditional and modern designs. Examples include tans, grays, and sands which can be deepened with darker tones to add dimension and create an atmosphere.
Industrial
As soon as the Industrial style first made an appearance, many wondered if it would pass as just another passing trend. Yet to paraphrase Mark Twain’s famous words: rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated.
As its name implies, the industrial style aims to bring the raw, edgy aesthetic of factories into the home. This can include materials like brick, concrete, hammered metal, and unfinished wood; while decor often includes large windows with black metal frames that allow natural light to fill the room and highlight industrial features.
The industrial design relies heavily on texture – often an uneven mix of rough and smooth elements – which works particularly well in combination with materials like reclaimed wood, concrete, and rust-colored metals. Furthermore, industrial spaces tend to feature open floor plans and uncluttered appearances.
Abstract
Abstract interior design aesthetics home design draws its inspiration from expressionist abstract art, featuring asymmetrical doors and furniture as well as chaotic features to add its own distinct twist. Bold colors like black often serve as contrast features in abstract home designs.
Arts & Crafts design movement pays homage to traditional artisans whose handmade furniture and decor items exuded a distinct charm that’s often lost through industrial production. Arts & Crafts decor often includes handcrafted wood trim and cabinets, ceramic backsplash tile and stained glass elements; its colors reflect nature-inspired hues like dusty orange and brown.
Organic Modern
Organic Modern blends elements from nature with sleek modern lines for an aesthetically pleasing yet cozy appearance. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s concept of continuity and popular designs from the turn of the 20th century like Alvar Aalto and Charles Eames; the Danish home lifestyle craze “hygge” also plays a part.
Reclaimed wood furniture, jute or sisal rugs, and bamboo floors are essential elements of this design style. Earthy hues such as sage green or muted blue work well for this aesthetic; Scout and Nimble recommend pairing these shades with others to add depth and contrast.
Organic Modern is defined by its incorporation of elements with sculptural forms. Examples may include globe-shaped accent lamps or unique wall art that add a three-dimensional element. You can also introduce this feature by adding plants or greenery; branches tucked into woven baskets or large planters can add both color and texture to the room.
European
Art Nouveau interior design aesthetics are defined by graceful lines ranging from subtle undulations to exaggerated fantastical contours, celebrating nature through organic vegetation symbols and biomorphic forms (Banham 1997). Doors, window frames, and furniture featuring art nouveau are often decorated with elegant curved edges featuring floral or whimsical details; stained glass windows, oriental rugs or wrought iron light fixtures often complement this interior design style as well.
Exploration-themed decor styles, often called Explorer Decor styles, offer endless decorating themes and decorative options. Vintage travel trunks, maps, worldly trinkets, and worldly accents can add unique details to living spaces while remaining neutral colors such as earthy oranges, browns, and sage greens help define this decorating scheme.
Memphis style was developed in the 1980s by Ettore Sottsass as a postmodern response to Mid-Century Modern’s structured functionalism and minimalist designs from the 1970s. This outrageous contemporary aesthetic can be identified by unusual shapes that emphasize form over function.
Traditional
Traditional interior design styles evoke feelings of elegance, aristocracy, and grace. Handmade furniture, intricate wood trim, and stained glass accent pieces are trademarks of this decor theme, reflecting the nobility of a traditional craftsman who imbued his creations with humanistic touches that would otherwise be lost with mechanized production methods. Earthy colors like dusty orange, brown, and sage green add depth and richness.
Memphis style is a postmodern style created as a reaction against Art Deco and Mid Century Modern’s structured functionalism and features bold contrasts in color as well as plastic laminates like MDF and terrazzo for its plastic laminates. Bolga fans, woven baskets, tribal masks, and other decor accents like these add even more drama and color to this colorful decor theme.
