Thinking about redesigning your home, but not sure how to decorate it? Whether you want to create the ultimate industrial-style studio apartment or you want to incorporate feng shui in your living room, there are tons of home decorating ideas you can use to design the home of your dreams. Here are 24 different interior design style ideas for updating your space!
Academia
Academia-inspired interiors take cues from classic libraries, scholarly spaces, and historic architecture. Within this aesthetic, dark academia embraces moody, intellectual vibes with deep color palettes, rich textures, and vintage decor—perfect for creating cozy study nooks or reading spaces that feel lived-in and timeless. In contrast, Light Academia takes a softer, airier approach, featuring warm neutrals, natural light, and gentle textures for a bright, inviting atmosphere.
How to Decorate: Use rich tones like oxblood, forest green, and navy for dark academia, or soft, warm shades like cream, beige, and sage green for light academia. Place bookshelves along the walls and arrange antique wood furniture to create a cozy study corner. Add brass lamps on side tables or desks, and display oil paintings, framed maps, vintage globes, and candles. Layer leather chairs and wool throws with wooden furniture for warmth and texture.
Art Deco
Art Deco interior design brings bold shapes, rich materials, and glamorous details into your home. Inspired by the design movements of the 1920s and 1930s, the Art Deco style highlights symmetry, metallic finishes, and geometric patterns that exude elegance and confidence.
How to Decorate: Choose a color palette of deep jewel tones paired with gold, brass, or chrome accents. Arrange mirrored surfaces and marble tables to catch the light. Place velvet or leather furniture and sculptural armchairs around the room for drama. Hang crystal chandeliers and framed geometric artwork, and add gold, brass, or chrome accents on furniture and accessories to create a luxurious, glamorous feel.
Biophilic
Biophilic design focuses on connecting indoor spaces to the natural world. This calming, earthy decor style emphasizes sunlight, greenery, and organic textures to promote wellness and tranquility. A soft, nature-inspired color palette of greens, warm browns, beiges, and creamy neutrals enhances the soothing atmosphere, creating a refreshing, nature-infused retreat at home.
How to Decorate: Pair materials like wood and stone with rattan furniture for a natural foundation. Layer woven baskets, jute rugs, and linen or cotton throws for texture. Add potted plants, hanging greenery, and botanical prints throughout the space. Include terracotta vases, pebble trays, or a tabletop fountain, and let in natural light with bamboo shades or sheer curtains for a fresh, living atmosphere.
Bohemian
Bohemian style is an interior decorating trend often associated with free-spirited people, because this style encourages showcasing your individuality with unique color schemes and mismatched furniture. A home using boho decor might include vintage light fixtures, globally-inspired patterned rugs, beaded pillows, and chairs in a variety of shapes and colors.
How to Decorate: Hang a wicker globe pendant from the ceiling and position brightly-colored floor pillows around a large coffee table. Display family heirlooms on your mantel, fill old wine bottles with flowers, and mix and match patterns on pillows and throws. Fasten fringe curtains to the windows or a silk canopy over your bed for a cozy, eclectic touch.
Coastal
Design a relaxing, comfortable environment with the coastal decorating style. This airy, beach-inspired look features light woods, soft white furnishings, and a palette of blues and greens that mimic the ocean. Natural textures like rattan, linen, and jute help create a breezy, lived-in feel. For a more luxurious take on this decor style, consider the Hamptons style, which elevates coastal elements with refined finishes and tailored details.
How to Decorate: Use large wicker baskets to store spare blankets. Paint your walls blue or gray and install sand-colored hardware on kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Place your bed on a white frame and offset it with an aqua or blue area rug and neutral throw pillows. Add texture and warmth with cashmere or cable-knit throws, embroidered pillows, and plush wool rugs to complete the look.
Contemporary
While the terms “modern” and “contemporary” are often used interchangeably, these two types of decorating styles are very different. For example, modern style adheres to rules of straight lines and solid textures, while contemporary style is more fluid and includes curved lines, soft edges, and bolder colors.
How to Decorate: Choose plush or linen-upholstered furniture to soften sculptural floor lamps, a metallic-finish dining table, or other standout pieces. Paint an accent wall in shades of blue, green, pink, gold, or orange to complement your larger furniture. Add simple decorative touches—like sleek vases, abstract artwork, or geometric rugs—to complete the look with a balance of color and shape.
Cottagecore
If you’re looking to create a more sustainable, comfortable home, look no further than cottagecore interior design! This countryside-driven trend is based on more romantic design styles and the desire for a simpler life. Cottagecore interiors are casual and eclectic—designed to make any living space simple, comfortable, and cozy. Embrace traditional furniture and accent pieces to capture this style in your own home.
How to Decorate: Incorporate natural prints featuring leaves, vines, and flowers. Place potted plants, dried flowers, and flower bouquets throughout your living areas. Find reclaimed furniture like antique end tables or a vintage rocking chair to give your space a lived-in feel. To add to the coziness, layer soft furnishings such as floral curtains, ruffled throws, and plush pillows.
Eclectic
If you’re someone who enjoys home decorating styles that have a little bit of everything—whether it be colors, patterns, or decor from multiple eras—the eclectic style might be for you! While eclectic-style decor might look like a hodgepodge, a lot of thought goes into harmonizing the elements of multiple interior decorating styles. One way to do this is to pick out a color scheme and then build your design around the selected palette.
How to Decorate: Pair some Art Deco chairs with a vintage French table or a bright pop-art sculpture with an antique writing desk. Use patterned wallpaper to accent a wall. Place velvet pillows and furry blankets on a modern couch. Sprinkle knick-knacks and books of varying sizes on bookshelves. Hang black-and-white photos alongside abstract paintings on your walls.
Feng Shui
Consider using feng shui to decorate your space! This ancient practice is designed to create harmony, improve your well-being, and promote a positive flow of energy throughout your home. The key to this decorating technique is to figure out which aspects of your life need more focus, like health, wealth, relationships, creativity, etc. Then, embrace decor features associated with the feng shui elements of fire, earth, water, metal, and wood to start the flow of positive chi.
How to Decorate: The most important element of feng shui interior design is creating a space that balances good energy and harmony. Pair different textures, shapes, and colors to achieve yin and yang. Include metal elements like a gold mirror or silver end tables to evoke creativity. Paint walls using shades of red or add pyramid-shaped furniture to bring exciting, happy energy to your home. Add some sunny yellow accents to your kitchen or bathroom for a healthy boost.
French Country
French country design takes the wear-and-tear of antique design and matches it with the comfy-cozy feel of the country. Think rustic charm meets elegant farmhouse! Upholstered pieces meet luxury lines, but still maintain rustic touches to create a sophisticated, homey feel.
How to Decorate: Instead of striving for polished accessories, lean more toward items that give your space a lived-in feel. Stick to a natural palette, wood furniture, and metallic finishings. If you include fabrics in your design, introduce botanical or natural themes alongside classic French patterns like toile, as well as prints such as plaid, small florals, and gingham, to heighten the feeling of elegance-meets-homey.
Hollywood Regency
Hollywood Regency, also called Hollywood glam, draws inspiration from the glamour of 1930s-era Hollywood. This dramatic, sophisticated style features high-contrast colors like black, white, and jewel tones, bold patterns, and luxurious materials. Combining mirrored and lacquered furniture with velvet upholstery and statement lighting, this home decorating style creates a space that feels both elegant and playful, with a touch of old Hollywood glam.
How to Decorate: Start with a high-contrast color palette of colors like black and white with emerald green, sapphire, or ruby. Add mirrored or lacquered furniture, velvet chairs, and metallic side tables for a luxe feel. Use bold patterns on rugs, throw pillows, or wallpaper, and finish the look with statement chandeliers, sculptural lamps, or oversized art. Mix textures like glass, metal, and plush fabrics to create depth and a true Hollywood glam atmosphere.
Industrial
Want more of an urban vibe? Drawing inspiration from warehouses, industrial style embraces a deconstructed, minimalist look. While this interior design trend is more commonly found in lofts and apartments, you can give your home an industrial look with exposed brick walls, hardwood floors, concrete elements, and a mixture of wooden and metal furniture.
How to Decorate: Add some wrought-iron nightstands to a bedroom or a dark-wood desk to an office. Hang pendant lighting from the ceiling in your kitchen and dining room. Stick to grays, blacks, and browns for the color palette of your furniture. Repurpose furniture like antique drafting tables, leather sofas, and metal bar stools.
Japandi
Do you love organic elements, but lean toward minimalist design? Japandi style design may be for you! This popular interior design trend blends the warmth of Japanese interiors with the simplicity of Scandinavian design. While it keeps the light, neutral foundation of Scandi style, Japandi adds deeper hues like terracotta, charcoal, and muted greens for richer contrast. Natural materials like pale woods, bamboo, stone, and textured ceramics add a handcrafted, grounded feel. Harmony, balance, and peaceful energy are the guiding principles behind this modern, minimalist mashup.
How to Decorate: Start with earth tones like tan, brown, or green. Choose furniture with clean, straight lines to maintain a minimalist look. Feel free to integrate potted plants into your space and accent your design choices with raw woods like bamboo.
Maximalism
As a response to minimalism’s “less is more” approach, maximalism says “more is more.” With mix-and-match patterns, dramatic color palettes, and the use of quirky knick-knacks, maximalist decor strives to make a statement and stand out from the interior design crowd.
How to Decorate: Be daring in your choices when designing a maximalist home. You might mix black walls with a magenta couch, a chevron-patterned rug, and funky wall art. Whatever you choose, look for furniture and decor that catch your eye and bring a lot of personality to your living space—and don’t forget to showcase your favorite belongings as part of the decor!
Mid-Century Modern
Mid-Century Modern is a specific type of modern interior design that calls back to the 1930s through the mid-1970s. Though it’s a vintage decorating style, this design trend has seen a resurgence thanks to popular media like Mad Men—and because of its practicality and functionality. Mid-Century Modern is recognizable by its angular furniture, built-in planters, wooden elements, and funky bursts of color.
How to Decorate: Keep walls neutral with whites, grays, and beiges, but add accent pieces with yellows, greens, oranges, and blues. Find vintage chairs and tables with solid wood, tapered legs, tweed fabrics, and gold accents. Focus on lighting in each room, whether it’s natural light or standing lamps. And be sure to mix and match shapes, patterns, colors, and artwork!
Minimalism
When you think of a minimalist home, you might imagine white walls, uncomfortable seating, and a lack of decor—but true minimalist design is far more welcoming! Minimalist design is all about clean lines, functional layout, multi-purpose furniture, and keeping your space simple, open, and bright.
How to Decorate: To achieve a minimalist home design, stick to neutral paint colors like beige, blush, or earth tones and add soft touches of texture with fuzzy blankets and pillows. Also, use quality furniture that includes plenty of hidden storage or that can help you maximize living space so you can keep your home free of clutter.
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Modern
Though modern and minimalist design are often mistaken for one another—as are modern and contemporary styles—modern interior design incorporates more warmth, natural materials, and mid-century influences, while minimalism leans toward a pared-down, ultra-streamlined look. Modern design prioritizes form and function, with modern homes featuring materials like glass, steel, and concrete. This style also emphasizes simplicity, geometric shapes, and a no-frills attitude.
How to Decorate: Stick to neutral color palettes, but don’t be afraid to use darker tones for some contrast. When searching for furniture, look for pieces with clean lines that are made of wood, metal, glass, or concrete. Be sure to design and set up rooms so that you can take advantage of good natural light as well.
Modern Farmhouse
Most recognized as the style frequently used by Chip and Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper, modern farmhouse has become a popular home design option. Combining elements of industrial, rustic, and minimalist styles, this interior decoration approach uses a mix of high and low contrasting pieces with a hint of barn-like details to create a cozy home.
How to Decorate: Think white paint colors or a neutral palette with wrought-iron bar stools, distressed wooden tables, large windows for lots of natural light, and mixed textures like wool or canvas for your farmhouse style decor. Include accent pieces like barrels repurposed for tables or wooden ladders for high bookshelves and cabinets.
Rustic
Rustic style is a great way to bring the outdoors into your interior design! It embraces textures and colors influenced by nature, as well as organic shapes to help bring warmth to any area. Rustic style furniture consists of soft, natural fabrics, dark-stained or unfinished woods, and wire accents.
How to Decorate: Use beiges and browns on your walls or with furniture fabrics. Adorn the walls with antlers or a wire mosaic. Add warmth with a stone fireplace or orange lighting for a more budget-friendly option. Lay down cowhide or sherpa rugs to warm up dark-wood floors and unpolished furniture.
Scandinavian
Similar to minimalism, Scandinavian style embraces simplicity, natural light, clean lines, and functional furniture, but with a focus on creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Influenced by the Danish concept of hygge—which emphasizes well-being and comfort—Scandinavian design typically includes monochromatic color palettes, sleek wooden items with metal elements, and abstract home decor.
How to Decorate: Hang glass pendants from wooden beams or the ceiling. Place vases filled with flowers on coffee tables or a tall plant in the corner of your bedroom. Adorn your couch or the end of the bed with geometric print pillows. You can also liven up your space with modern prints on the wall for a pop of color.
Shabby Chic
Shabby chic blends vintage charm with soft French-inspired details to create a warm, romantic living space. Shabby chic interior design embraces timeworn furniture, distressed finishes, and heirloom pieces that add character and a sense of history. Light color palettes, floral prints, and natural textures help brighten the room, while gently aged decor brings a cozy, lived-in elegance to the overall design.
How to Decorate: Stick with ivory, cream, chalky white hues, and soft, romantic colors. Pair your color palette with true vintage antiques or distressed-looking furniture. Go-to pieces include birdcages and ladders to bring in elegant, harmonious lines. Finish the space off with touches of floral or natural prints, like shells or vines, to contrast your light-hued rooms.
Southwestern
Similar to rustic style, Southwestern interior design seeks to bring the outside in and uses colors and prints found in the desert. Adobe houses and Spanish textiles inspire soft line work, while colors like rust and terracotta make frequent appearances. To contrast the softness of the style, Southwestern-designed furniture is often heavy with bulky accents like metal finishes and textures, including leather and suede.
How to Decorate: Begin with a neutral base color for walls and flooring to allow decor and accent colors to pop. Incorporate a plaster or stucco-finish fireplace to add texture. Choose knotty pine leg furniture with leather cushions to bring your Southwestern decor together.
Traditional
There are no home decor styles quite as classic as traditional style! Homes featuring this design approach are geared toward finished wood, rich hues, and fabrics like silk or velvet with ornate details, rooted in 18th-century European and Colonial styles.
How to Decorate: Set wingback velvet chairs around your dining table or make a claw-footed table the focal point of your living room. Swap out a plain wooden bed frame for one with a tufted headboard and matching ottoman. If you have hardwood floors, lay down a Kashan rug to add a touch of luxury.
Transitional
Transitional decorating blends traditional and contemporary styles to create a balanced, inviting space. It combines contemporary elements—like glass surfaces and curved edges—with the wooden details and rich fabrics of traditional decor, resulting in a space that feels both sleek and comfortable.
How to Decorate: Paint walls in cozy shades of white and tan to create a serene backdrop, and add dark brown coffee tables and end tables for depth. Place a sleek lamp on your nightstand to balance a wooden bed frame with ornate carvings. Add pops of color with striped cushions, throws, or accent pieces throughout your home to contrast the neutral shades of your walls and furniture.
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