Traditional decorating takes cues from 18^th-century French and English designs. Much of the color palette is inspired by country flowers, so peach, pastels, and light greens take importance. Oil paintings, upholstered sets, and carved wood are common. Items are tailored, trimmed, and matched, and the room is arranged around symmetry.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-century modern designs have clean lines and minimal fussy details. You might see materials such as molded plastic, aluminum, and wood. Some of the inspiration for this style comes from Rat Park entertainers, the Space Age, and Modernist designs. Some deeper colors, such as orange and olive green, provide a contrast from a largely neutral palette.

Industrial

Industrial takes some inspiration from mid-century modern but makes the minimalism even more pronounced. Instead of hiding mechanical parts, industrial décor uses them as design elements. Industrial details include exposed brick and steel. Occasionally, this style will see raw wood or copper accents. Stark, bold angles are also part of this theme, bringing to mind factory settings from the turn of the 1900s.

Bohemian

Bohemian décor takes inspiration from a few different areas, including hippie and Moroccan designs. Bohemian style features rich colors, detailed fabrics, intricate embroidery, and multiple patterns at once. You might also see gauzy canopies, low beds, macramé, ottomans, and loads of pillows and cushions. Another common touch in Bohemian is natural goods, especially plants and flowers.

Coastal/Cottage

There are a few styles that can overlap here, including beach and bungalow themes. Major colors in this style include navy, white, and light neutrals. You can use accent pieces of seashells, jute mats, and rope. Bold, wide stripes are also popular, as are items made of weathered wood.

Zen/Asian

Zen or Asian décor takes inspiration from China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and other Asian counties. The overall structure features clean lines and minimal decoration, with accents that are rich in color and texture. Much of the color palette of Asian design comes from nature, including light greys, creams, and tans. Additional natural features, such as bamboo and water, provide touches of the outdoors. Asian design also uses bold accent colors, such as bright red, soft pinks, and rich purples. Metallic colors, especially gold, also provide bold accents. The balance between colors, textures, and sizes is also important in this theme.

Contemporary

This style relies more on neutral colors with little to no embellishment on furniture. Lighter fabrics, such as silk and cotton, are popular, as are lighter colors in wood and metal. Clean lines take the place of ruffles or other adornments. Bold pops of color in accent pieces or pillows provide a more homey contrast.

Vintage/Shabby Chic

For a vintage or shabby chic look, decorators look to pieces that have been well-loved. Furniture might look worn or distressed, and materials such as burlap and lace are common. Colors in a shabby chic palette are usually lighter and pastel. Upcycling or reusing old materials is also a common theme in shabby chic.

Rustic/Country

The rustic/country style is one that calls to mind people living off the land and being pioneers. To use this style, look for wood with rough and raw edges. You might also find leather, cowhide, and warm plaid flannel. The color palette for this style also has natural, but darker tones – think more along the lines of pine green instead of light green. Southwestern themes are also common, bringing in Hispanic or Native American influences.

Eclectic

Eclectic decorating can sound like a mishmash of styles, but there are ways to get this style to look cohesive. One way to make your style more cohesive is to use pieces that have similar colors in them to play off each other. Another idea is to create balance with your items, such as pairing a large overstuffed chair with a sleek and skinny lamp.

Conclusion

When you look to decorate your home, there are many options out there. By looking at some of the more popular ones, you might happen of ideas you like and want to use. You can also learn about different style techniques to discover what will work best for you and your life.