What’s Your Preferred Style?
When embarking on an Interior Design project it’s always helpful to understand if you have a preferred design style. Don’t worry, there’s no need for you to know exactly what you’re wanting, otherwise why would you want to engage an Interior Designer, but it does help to know if you love all things dark and moody full of texture, or maybe you prefer bright and light with clean lines and minimal decoration. Below you’ll find an overview of some of the various Interior Design styles and some images that reflect that style, so you can look through and let me know if you do have any preferences and if so, what do you like about them. For more styles and images, head on over to my Pinterest site for each style and maybe save some of your favourite images to your own Pinterest Board. Handy Tip: Make a note of what you like about any images that you pin. Oh and it’s also totally ok to like multiple or a mix of styles too.
Coastal
Coastal interiors blur the line between indoors and outdoors or remove it altogether. The relaxed and fresh style reminds us of those lazy summer days or that exotic holiday trip when sun, sand and surf were just a stone’s throw away. Bringing the bright, beautiful and energising aura of life on the beach, coastal style is all about creating a relaxing, airy and cheerful atmosphere indoors. Milky whites or vanilla tones work perfectly to create a cool, calm backdrop to furniture and accessories in soothing hues, natural fibres and raw wood. Other elements that may be incorporated include feature shells and pieces of locally sourced driftwood, washed back picture frames, large glass bottles, bowls and vases in teals and blues, natural fibre area rugs and baskets, soft linens in pastels, grey and taupe, tropical indoor plants and coastal artwork. All a reflection of natural seaside elements and deliver subtle nods to beachy surroundings.
Earthy Organic
In response to the impacts of Covid 19, people have a deeper desire for human connection, a need for calm and balance and are also wanting to connect more to nature. We’ve been surrounded by so much technology, viewing hard, shiny, square screens, whether it be our phones or larger screens for video calls and virtual meetings. Subsequently we are wanting our interiors to resemble calm, tranquil sanctuaries we can retreat to and feel supported by. This has shaped the Earthy Organic trend. With a sense of relaxation and ease, moving away from crisp, bright whites; a natural, earthy, organic colour palette makes the home overall feel far warmer and layered. Colours such as subtle apricot, gorgeous beige, warm orange & red tones, mixed with cooler greens. Brown and warm whites can also be added to give a cosiness to each space. It is relaxed, not overly designed, and texturally diverse; you have hard, soft, smooth and rough; many materials are at play. It avoids shine, so no glossy finishes. It’s organic with a lot of softness added through items like cushions and throws. Curved furniture, in materials like wicker and rattan bring their own detail. Décor features embellishments like tassels and pom poms, weaving and cable knits. It also showcases handmade pieces, embracing flaws and natural movement, like ceramics, textural wall hangings and handcrafted furniture.
Modern Australian / Contemporary
The Modern Australian interior design aesthetic blends clean lines, organic materials, and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. With an emphasis on natural light, large windows and open floor plans create a sense of expansiveness and allow the beauty of the surrounding environment to flow inside. This aesthetic often incorporates exposed brick walls, raw concrete surfaces, and timber flooring, adding a touch of industrial and rustic charm to the space.Furniture in Modern Australian interior design is characterised by its simplicity, functionality, and comfort. Clean lines and minimalist aesthetics are combined with plush upholstery and cosy textiles, striking a balance between modern sophistication and relaxed living. The arrangement of furniture encourages social interaction and promotes an open and inviting atmosphere. The integration of indoor plants and greenery further enhances the inviting and tranquil ambience.Overall, the Modern Australian interior design aesthetic embodies a harmonious fusion of contemporary elements, organic materials, and a strong connection to the surrounding environment.
Hamptons
Reflecting the affluent lifestyle, Hamptons style interiors are casual, relaxed beach living in a classic and very sophisticated way. It is a look that is made up of crisp white walls, timber floorboards and plenty of natural light, which creates a bright and breezy feeling. The colour palette is typically neutral, consisting of white, cream, sand and ivory complemented by blues. Natural textures such as jute, rattan and linen are regularly featured. Spaces are filled with lots of natural light through exposed mullion windows or complimented with plantation shutters. Cabinetry is characteristically formed in the shaker style and artwork is often reminiscent of the sea. Blue and white ceramics are placed alongside faux shells and corals to enhance that beach feel.
Industrial
Industrial design style is perfectly suited for lofts or other reclaimed industrial buildings; however, it can be just as stunning in a modern, contemporary home. Open plan spaces with generously high ceilings are enhanced with copious amounts of natural light, streaming in through expansive floor to ceiling windows. Exposed ceilings, often allowing structural beams or metal air ducts to be visible, provide visual interest and an abundance of texture is revealed through exposed brick walls. Concrete or weathered wood flooring is graced with time worn leather or wood furniture, with black metal accents, inviting you to sit down and ‘take a load off’. Often consisting of a base neutral colour scheme, rich browns, charcoal grey and black are regularly featured.
Mid Century Modern
Mid-century interior design marks an architectural and artistic era that spanned from the 1930s to the 1960s. Mid-century modern (MCM, for short) interiors are visually light and stick to the form follows function principle. As a result, creations from this period tend to take up as little space as possible. There is nothing unnecessary in their design. In terms of materials, plastic and wood often feature in furniture design, whereas architects relied on, then revolutionary, reinforced concrete and steel. As for colour schemes, white and pale neutral walls are combined with bold, colourful accents. The pale walls accentuate any bold features to the room, making them appear more expensive and luxurious. Mid-century modern houses, like the designs by Frank Lloyd Wright, have characteristic flat roofs, large rectangular windows and could even be cylindrical in structure.
Modern Farmhouse
The “Modern Farmhouse” style is a fusion of old and new. Large, open plan, light filled spaces containing rustic country elements such as exposed wooden beams and a stone clad feature fireplace, are mixed with contemporary, streamlined design to create the warmth and comfort of a more traditional home. The vertical line of accent tongue and groove panelling draw the eye up and accentuate high ceilings. The natural woodgrain pattern in beautiful warm tones, of wide plank wooden floorboards, create a sense of substance and stability, and perfectly compliment gorgeous barn doors. Striking, black, geometric pendants contrast beautifully against crisp white walls and are a perfect display of the monochromatic colour scheme, achieving that contemporary look warmed with farmhouse style. A mix of modern and vintage furniture, softened with textured throws adds to the rustic feel and welcomes you into the warm, relaxed and inviting space.
Traditional
Traditional interior styling turns to the past for its inspiration, often highlighting 18th and 19th century European decor. It’s a timeless go-to style that exudes easy elegance and comfort and is a great route for those who appreciate antiques, classic art, symmetry and design rich with history. Traditional style boasts a rich, warm and inviting feel and the current trend is to pair it with more modern and elegant spins from current fashion. It typically incorporates wingback couches and chairs, dark wood in Queen Anne, Chippendale and Sheraton style, tufted upholstery, fabrics in silk, velvet and leather, chandeliers, wall sconces and candelabras, ornate architectural detail such as ornate cornice, skirting boards and architraves, coffered ceilings, side tables and table lamps, bookcases and fireplaces.
Tropical
The “Tropical” style is inspired by holiday destinations such as Hawaii, Costa Rica and French Polynesia. Spaces alive with lush, green foliage and large leaf plants and prints, promote a sense of ease and hospitality. Accents in coral pink, browns, yellow and orange add warmth. Natural wood, paired with textured rattan and bamboo furniture, with curved lines and organic shapes, encourage a relaxed and comfortable lifestyle. Natural light is enhanced through the addition of warm, ambient lighting, that can also create beautiful, patterned shadows for added depth and interest. A curated mix of both dark and light items and materiality, create a sense of balance and harmony with bright, floral bloom patterns such as hibiscus, or the exotic bird of paradise, creating emphasis and visual interest. The Tropical design style is extremely versatile and can be used to create spaces that are dark and moody for rooms such as an adult’s bedroom, or light, bright and fun, for say a children’s playroom, or somewhere in between for a family dining / living area.
