Most Common Decorating Styles
Do you know what your decorating style is?
Each person has their own unique taste in colour and furnishings, but there are common themes that create certain "styles". Sometimes, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what kind of style you favour, especially as there are so many styles, ranging from 'Art Deco' through to 'Retro' and 'Romantic'.
Let's look at the four broadest and most common decorating styles. Read through them to find out what defines each style, investigate product and design suggestions for each one and finally decide which is best for you.
- Traditional - Classic, Comfortable and Casual
- Contemporary - Light, Bright and Airy
- Formal - Intricate, Ornamental and Established
- Casual - Relaxed, Comfortable and Inviting
Traditional
Classic, comfortable and casual; these are the words most often used to describe Traditional style. Furniture and accessories are perfectly placed to create a feeling of predictability.
Colours
- multi-coloured florals
- mid-range tones, muted patterns
- lightest colours on walls, darker tones for furnishings
Furniture
- functional and comfortable, frequently upholstered
- matching pairs, symmetrical
- classic lines and understated details
Window Coverings
- thick draperies
- dark toned cedar blinds or timber blinds
- cornices and valances
Formal
Intricate, ornamental, 'old school'; these are the words most often used to describe Formal style. Sometimes considered fussy, Formal style rooms are busy yet very balanced and proportional.
Colours
- deep colours, intricate designs
- shiny finishes on wood, fabric and metals
- dark toned woods
Furniture
- antiques
- decorative with trims and fringes
- silk, velvet and other plush upholsteries
Window Coverings
- roman blinds
- valances and ornate ruffles and tassels
- heavy, pooled drapes
Contemporary
Light, bright, airy; these are the words most often used to describe today's Contemporary style. Simplicity and clean lines, sometimes accentuated with an eclectic accessories or furnishings to create a sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance.
Colours
- white, neutrals and black
- boldly coloured accents
- solid tones, not patterns
Furniture
- simple and sleek
- textured, natural fibre upholstery
- exposed legs
Window Coverings
- high quality white aluminium venetian blinds
- environmentally friendly materials
- bright, airy cellular shades
Casual
Relaxed, comfortable, inviting; these are the words most often used to describe Casual style. Simple, often with a touch of rustic. Casual style rooms are unfussy, relaxed and where everyone wants to relax and hang out.
Colours
- contrasting - white with brights, patterns with solids
- texture more important than colour
- less white and neutrals, more bright and bold
Furniture
- soft, cozy, comfy
- oversized
- chunky
Window Coverings
- aluminium venetian blinds in bold colours
- vertical blinds and panel glides
- sunscreen blinds, paired with sunblock roller blinds (dual roller blinds)
These are the most common design types. Of course you can interpret and incorporate each style in your own unique way.
Have you figured out which one is right for you?