Interior Design Styles: Guide to Top Decor Types in 2023

Welcome to our guide to interior design styles, where we’ll go over the top 15 popular decor styles. For each interior design style, this guide will offer explanations and common features, simple styling tips, store suggestions, inspirational photos, and ideas for mixing certain styles with others.

Newly updated in 2023, this guide now includes details on many new design styles and explanations. Without further ado, let’s get started! Here’s the table of contents in case you want to jump to any particular interior design style.

List of Interior Design Styles

1. Mid-Century Modern

Also known as / similar to: MCM, Bauhaus Decor, International Style

Mid-century modern decor is an interior design style created in the mid-1900s, characterized by clean lines and minimalist silhouettes. Some of the most famous designers hail from this paradigm, including Saarinen, Niemeyer, Eames, Noguchi, Jacobsen and beyond. Innovations in materials engineering in the post-war period paved the way for new methods for molding plastic, plywood, and aluminum. The result was a plethora of highly progressive furniture and furnishing designs that are fresh, elegant, and versatile.

Check out our Mid-Century Modern Design Guide to learn how to get the look for your home. As mentioned in the guide, I recommend introducing elements from other interior design styles when starting with a MCM base. A purist approach when decorating a mid-century modern home can make your interior design look a bit passé. This is particularly true when it comes to decorative accents. Mid-century modern’s form factor may be timeless, but the fashion-inspired colors and patterns from the 1970s is outdated.

Where to Shop for MCM Furniture & Decor

You can check out the Mid-Century Modern Furniture collection at Froy, which offers curated pieces specifically for the MCM aesthetic. Most of the products found at DWR are the classic, original mid-century modern exemplars. The design is timeless, so you can find Mid-Century Modern furniture at nearly all of the major retailers, from West Elm and Article.

Best Design Styles to Pair With MCM Decor

Mid-Century Modern decor goes well with Scandinavian, Contemporary, Southwestern, and Art Deco interior design styles. These are the most natural complements to MCM decor, but you can also consider other styles that offer more contrast. For example, Bohemian and Coastal style furniture or decor can offer MCM decor with new, bolder colors and aged textures. In return, mid-century modern adds a sleeker, more contemporary aesthetic to boho and coastal decor’s more classical/bare foundation.

2. Coastal

Also known as / similar to: Beach Decor, Mediterranean Decor, Nautical Decor

Coastal decor is an interior design style that channels the beach house spirit with a focus on warmth and tranquility. To achieve this, it commonly uses a combination of washed rustic wood, thick tufted seating, and bright lighting. The nautical style is based on white or sand colored foundation, with blue as the primary accent color.

Your options for decorative accents are many: seashells in clear jars, jute ropes, rowing oars, sailboats, navigational maps, and more! Furniture in coastal decor typically employs rustic wood for tables and cabinetry, combined with chic linen upholstery for your lounge chairs and sofas. The room should be brightly-lit, though lamps should have a slight red/orange-hue to offer a gentle, warm permeance.

Where to Shop for Coastal Furniture & Decor

Froy has a dedicated Coastal Furniture and Decor collection, including a sampling of cottage-inspired designs. Caron’s, Pottery Barn and Pier 1 are great sources for furnishings that fit this trend.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Coastal Decor

Good interior design styles to mix with Coastal decor include Farmhouse, Mid-Century Modern, Rustic, Mexican, and Transitional. If you want to create a more rustic look, go with adding Farmhouse and Rustic pieces. Combining Transitional or Mid-Century Modern furniture or decor will give your coastal theme a more refined, elegant appeal. Finally, Mexican decor pieces can offer your coastal home a Baja California aesthetic, featuring color and cultural accents.

3. Industrial

Also known as / similar to: Steampunk Decor

Industrial style decor is a look that hearkens back to the turn-of-the-century industrial era. It emphasizes liberal use of exposed steel with distressed wooden elements, frequently complemented by exposed brick walls. The modern variant commonly includes copper-tone accents. In terms of general feel, industrial decor is often rustic and mature.

We wrote a guide on Industrial Decor Ideas and Design to help you design a home in this style. A notable point from this post is that industrial decor ranges from modern rustic with sleeker contours to rugged vintage with more masculine features. Thus, depending on your tastes, you can opt for a look that is lighter/chic or darker/antique.

Where to Shop for Industrial Furniture & Decor

We have a detailed article on the list of online industrial furniture stores that you can check out. Explore the Industrial Furniture collection at Froy to shop for rustic coffee tables, tufted Chesterfield sofas, and other essential industrial modern pieces. Restoration Hardware is a go-to source for higher-end industrial designs. Value and selection-wise, we also like World Market and HomeGoods as great options.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Industrial Decor

Industrial decor goes well when combined with Farmhouse, Contemporary, Scandinavian, Rustic, and Traditional interior design styles. Given its use of highly distressed wood and steel, industrial style interiors have natural overlaps with Farmhouse and Rustic decor. Pieces from either will fit in easily in industrial-themed homes. On the other hand, a few minimalist furnishing from Scandinavian and Contemporary decor categories can gently balance out the grittiness of the typical industrial aesthetic.

4. Scandinavian

Also known as / similar to: Swedish Decor, Nordic Style, Hygge, Japandi Decor

An off-shoot of the mid-century modern movement, Scandinavian design introduced a popular minimalist look to the interior architecture field that lasts to this day. Although most people associate it with IKEA (I’ve covered stores like IKEA in the past), there are a variety of subset looks within Scandinavian design itself. In fact, many of the modern interior design styles such as MCM have a close relationship with Scandinavian decor.

Featuring gentle contours and a balance of engineered and organic materials, Scandinavian furniture are simple, contemporary, and functional. Many Scandinavian designs employ Bauhaus principles and is characterized by fluid lines, focus on object proportions, and populist appeal. A great majority of Scandinavian interiors use white with gray tones as the foundation colors, though accents often can be bold and vibrant.

Where to Shop for Scandinavian Furniture & Decor

To get this clean, versatile aesthetic in your home, browse our curated collection of Scandinavian Furniture at Froy. Scandinavian Designs carry many original Scandinavian products, as does obviously IKEA. Given Scandinavian style furniture’s many overlaps with Mid-Century Modern, you can refer to the above respective MCM section for recommendations.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Scandinavian Decor

If you want to double down on the minimalist and Hygge aspect of Scandinavian decor, you can choose to mix in Mid-Century Modern and Contemporary pieces. However, to add contrasting color and cultural appeal to Scandinavian decor, consider adding some Bohemian or Southwestern decorative accents. You can also include one or two statement pieces from Rustic or Industrial style furnishing.

5. Bohemian

Also known as / similar to: Moroccan Decor, Nomadic Style, Gypsy Chic Decor

Bohemian decor is an interior design style that features creative application of rich patterns and vibrant colors, especially with red or purple tones. Boho chic deviates from the formalism of most modern interior design styles by capturing the carefree and adventurous spirit of the avant-garde lifestyle. The key is to carefully present a purposefully “messy” look. Layer on textiles (throws, pillows, rugs, tapestry) for a warm ambience.

When furnishing, look for pieces that possess ethnic or nomadic vibes. Moroccan, Southwestern, or tribal-inspired designs are currently trending. Composition-wise, boho chic loves textile, wood, animal hide, and metallic accents.

Where to Shop for Bohemian Furniture & Decor

To get this look, check out our collection at Froy for Bohemian Furniture and many complementary decor. Anthropologie and sister-store UO Apartment are two of the best affordable resources as well.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Bohemian Decor

For a smooth combination, Bohemian style interior design can go well with Maximalist, Southwestern, and Mexican decor. These are all decor types that leverage lots of colors or distinct patterns with ethnic cultural ties. Boho chic style can also be modernized by using more contemporary furnishing from MCM, Scandinavian, Transitional, or Art Deco. Since the boho style is defined more by its decorative accessories, it is flexible with how traditional or modern the furniture can be.

6. Farmhouse

Also known as / similar to: Cottage Decor, Rustic Country Decor

Farmhouse decor is a modern approach to cabin-inspired interior design. Mostly transitional in nature with some traditional elements mixed in, farmhouse aesthetic should transport your imagination to French Provence. Source some dried lavender bunches and other greeneries – careful arrangement of vases and planters will really stylize your home.

Farmhouse furniture are characterized by distressed wood and upholstered linen. Color-wise, it is similar to nautical decor with mostly white and beige base colors. Orthodox rules dictate that accent colors should be something similar to turquoise or light yellow, but I find it better to introduce some brighter colors for some pop and definition.

Where to Shop for Farmhouse Furniture & Decor

To shop this style, check out Froy’s Farmhouse Furniture collection, which includes matching decor as well. Pottery Barn sells a lot of pieces in that white and chic farmhouse style. I also find Zara Home to carry suitable pieces for farmhouse decor.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Farmhouse Decor

Farmhouse style interior design pairs well with Industrial, Shabby Chic, Coastal, and Rustic decor. These other design categories all veer towards the distressed and rugged side, so they are natural complements. Transitional-style furnishing is another interesting mixture to go with Farmhouse, and can offer a more contemporary chic aesthetic without being overly minimalist/modern.

7. Contemporary

Also known as / similar to: Urban Style, Modern Decor

Contemporary interior design is the most futuristic and progressive decor type, with a focus on innovative form factor, refinement in simplicity, and adaptability. Taking cues from its cosmopolitan environment, urban contemporary decor is a fusion of various opposing and complementary traits. Minimalist modern, glamorous chic, ethnic heirlooms, and edgy experimental designs all collide in a distinctively 21st-century setting.

Larger furniture (sofas, beds, etc.) tends to be uniformly sleek with low-profile. Feel free to bring home trailblazing modern furniture designs. Decorative accents (pillows, mirrors, end tables, etc.) in urban decor often demands artistic and creative expression – add some elegant geometric designs, or vintage items with traditional embellishment.

Where to Shop for Contemporary Furniture & Decor

Froy has a Contemporary Chic collection with a mix of furniture and decor that you can shop or draw inspiration for this look. However, try to pick bits and pieces from different stores. CB2, West Elm, and Room & Board are great starters, as is Arhaus for higher-end options.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Contemporary Decor

Given the neutral undertone of Contemporary style interior design, it is a great canvas to layer on other decor types. To complement its modern aesthetic, include some Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, or Art Deco furnishing or accents. If you’re looking to add contrast to its otherwise neutral and minimalist look, you can add rustic furniture from Industrial or Farmhouse, or include more colors and patterns with Bohemian or Southwestern decor. It’s a very adaptable style, so try to get creative.

8. Transitional

Also known as / similar to: Vintage Modern Decor, Contemporary Chic Decor

Transitional interior design style is a mix between modern and classical decor aesthetics, often involving a cleaner and simpler look than classical, but still keeping some of its embellishments and detailing. In many ways, it is the combination of many interior design styles featured in this blog post.

So what makes a furniture piece distinctively transitional? The key is a combination of simple geometric shapes, some mild sculpting/etching inspired by traditional patterns and embellishments, and smoother surface textures. Overly rough wood grains or unburnished steel would pair well with transitional style, but they are usually not classified as transitional furniture pieces.

Transitional-style decor usually involves a brighter setting, with very elegant and refined floor and/or table lamps, with rugs/pillows that feature classical patterning (such as a Persian) or very muted pattern. Often, transitional style decor avoid an overly explicit statement piece, but rather focus on blending all the furniture and decor together.

Where to Shop for Transitional Furniture & Decor

Froy has a lot of transitional pieces peppered throughout – we’ll create a specific collection in the near future. Pottery Barn, though focused on farmhouse and cottage style designs, usually has pieces that’ll be classified as transitional.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Transitional Decor

Coastal, Farmhouse, Scandinavian, and Art Deco. Transitional is just a descriptive style term rather than an explicit design category, similar to describing a room as leaning more modern versus traditional, so it can be incorporated into many other design styles. However, in our opinion, it typically goes well with warmer, brighter, more organic decor as a way to add more refinement and clean angles.

9. Maximalist

Also known as / similar to: Eclectic Decor

Maximalist style interior design is the antithesis to minimalist style interior design, seeking to leverage a wide range of colors and patterns to enhance the aesthetic and character of a room. This style is often difficult to implement and is a great test to challenge the skills of any professional interior designer. If executed properly, the look leaves a lasting impression, adds enormous warmth and artistry to a space, and can be simultaneously complex yet harmonizing.

A well-designed maximalist decor should feel like there is a cohesive mood in all the layers of complexities. The key to successfully pulling this off is to ensure that you carefully switch the vibrant colors and busy patterns with more modest colors and plainer patterns. Make sure to switch the chaos and peacefulness in-and-out, meaning that wherever these is some fanciful ornamentation in the decor, there is also some visual area for respite nearby.

Observe the examples of great maximalist interior designs we picked out. Do you notice that where there is some bold piece (such as a lounge chair with elaborate colors/patterns), there is some muted piece next to it (such as a rug with a distressed medallion or sofa with a plain color throughout)? If two colors are both vibrant and conflicting, you can put them next to each other but with minimal or no patterns as a transition method, then go all out with the complex prints thereafter.

Where to Shop for Maximalist Furniture & Decor

Check out Mind the Gap, World Market, Froy, Anthropologie Home, Chairish, and scavenge through Etsy Home. Any shop that sell a lot of bohemian, ethnic, and vintage furniture and decor will work. However, they will still be hard to find since non-minimalist or rustic pieces tend to be niche outside the design community.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Maximalist Decor

Bohemian, Transitional, Mexican, and Traditional. Maximalism tends to do very well in classically-oriented decor. Studies in architecture on evidence-based design have found that cultures from more bare and stark environments tended to create more ornate furnishings (ex., cultures from desert settings seek to create elaborate interiors). Because the colors and patterns used to achieve the maximalist aesthetic will likely come with some history, they fit in well with more traditional design styles to tell a story.

10. Southwestern

Also known as / similar to: Desert Decor

Southwestern interior design style is a decor type inspired by the dry, desert environment of the Southwestern region of the U.S. including Arizona, New Mexico, and its adjoining states. Most notably, it emphasizes a blend of art, textures, and patterns from traditional residents and settlers in the area, including Native American, Mexican, and others.

The typical Southwestern decor look is natural and raw, with furniture pieces intentionally exposing rough wood grains, sandstone and terracotta, and handcrafted imperfections. Few modern pieces with obvious signs of advanced material engineering should be present. Color-wise, a backdrop of beige/ivory reminiscent of sandstone accented with lots of vibrant red/orange-hues and greenery (either through furniture, decor, or real succulents) will work best.

Most Southwestern designs end up looking pretty similar to each other, so you may want to add some character your design by introducing complementary yet non-desert related pieces. For example, a hints of blue, either as part of a textile pattern or as an independent decorative piece, goes a long way. Also, hanging a more modern ceiling or floor lamp will add contrast to the otherwise homogenous look.

Where to Shop for Southwestern Furniture & Decor

You’ll find scattered bits of Southwestern-style furniture and decor at Lone Star Western Decor, Chairish, Froy, The Citizenry. Although very few stores exclusively cater to Southwestern-style decor, most will have a few pieces that fit the look – the usual such as Etsy, Wayfair, or even Amazon work (though Amazon quality is always something to watch out for).

Best Design Styles to Pair With Southwesten Decor

Bohemian, Mid-Century Modern, Industrial, Scandinavian, and Rustic. Because Southwestern interior design style is made distinctive more by its decorative accessories (rugs, pillows, plants, wall art, etc.) rather than main furniture pieces, it typically pairs well with any interior design style that is defined more by its distinctive furniture aesthetics such as mid-century modern. Add a bit of Southwestern flavored design to another style can either accentuate its rustic-ness or tone down the modern minimalism towards a more world-inspired direction.

11. Rustic

Also known as / similar to: Lodge Decor, Cabin Decor

Rustic interior design style is a decor type that emphasizes worn, organic elements such as wooden furniture with exposed grains, unburnished steel, textured textiles, and natural lighting. Though often considered a descriptive term for any interior design style (similar to how a style can lean more modern or traditional), rustic decor can also be a distinct category if referencing a lodge or cabin-inspired design.

Rustic decor can be achieved in many ways since it’s a descriptive attribute for most other interior design styles. Consider a raw, live edge wood table, an older-fashioned tufted sofa in leather or fabric, and/or layered rugs (ex., a cowhide rug on top with a rectangular area rug of nearly any variety). Lighting in a rustic environment can be flexible – if going for a traditional lodge look, consider a classic steel or faux antler chandelier, or spice things up with a modern ceiling lamp.

A truly rustic interior design style is often paired with suitable architecture – if your home doesn’t feature a natural stone fireplace, wood-lined walls or ceilings, or some other feature, you may want to consider installing faux wood beams on the ceiling.

Where to Shop for Rustic Furniture & Decor

A wider variety of stores have collections specifically for rustic furniture and decor, including Froy and World Market. Restoration Hardware, though on the pricier end, has great rustic pieces both more traditional and modern. You may also want to check local stores that sell custom log furniture.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Rustic Decor

Southwestern, Industrial, Scandinavian, Coastal, and Farmhouse. Rustic style decor in a loose sense is an attribute, not a real interior design style, so it can pair well with any style that isn’t trying to achieve refinement (MCM, traditional, transitional, etc.) and is instead more carefree and expressive. However, if you’re designing a log-cabin inspired aesthetic, then you’ll have to be much more specific about which styles to pair with. Southwestern and industrial styles tend to mix best with rustic lodge interiors.

12. Mexican

Also known as / similar to: Spanish Colonial Decor, Latin Modern Decor

Mexican interior design style is a decor type recognized for its use of vibrant colors, rich heritage patterns, natural handmade materials with fine textiles, plants and botanicals, and more maximalist approach to space usage. It’s a style perfect for those who love Mexican art and prefer a room full of colors, as it offers an enormous amount of life, personality, and warmth.

Furniture pieces that surround the Mexican decor should be very simple – it is not about how modern or traditional the furniture are, but that they should be modest and allow the ornamentation around them to stand out. It does, however, prefer a wallpaper or a layer of paint on your wall with a color (such as green, pink, or burnt orange) or pattern/motif.

Though similar to Southwestern decor, Mexican interior design style is distinct for its heavier emphasis on bold colors and more energetic art and accents. Importantly, there are very distinct style of art and pattern to Mexico and her nearby cultures that one should really study before picking out decorative pieces to suit this style.

Where to Shop for Mexican Furniture & Decor

Outside of visiting Mexico and importing, your best bet is to check out stores that sell very simple wood furniture including thrift shops. La Fuente Imports has some interesting items. A lot of the Mexican/Latin themed accessories and art can be scavenged from a variety of places, thought the major retailers are largely imitations or prints.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Mexican Decor

Southwestern is an obvious choice, but also Bohemian, Maximalist, and surprisingly Mid-Century Modern. MCM is modern, but many pieces are not too overt or bold. It’s right enough of modern without making too much of a statement that you can layer a lot of Mexican or Latin decor elements on it for a unique twist of color and character. It parallels a lot of why boho chic works well with MCM.

13. Traditional

Also known as / similar to: Victorian Decor, Vintage Decor, New England Style

Traditional style interior design is a decor type that draws inspiration from classical, pre-1920s furnishing and architecture, with a focus on elegant and ornate furnishing. In the North American context, traditional decor often implies some specific elements related to English/Victorian decorative sense given the country’s founding history.

Traditional interior design is heavily reliant on its ornamental style, with many furniture and art pieces featuring fine detail work. Though there are some rustic staples such as dark-grain leather and ornamental wood pieces, traditional decor is otherwise quite eclectic – there is ample room for play with wallpapers/paint, lavish furniture and textiles, opulent chandeliers and other lighting, and heritage artwork with antique frames.

Color-wise, you can double down on the darker wood tones (ex., paint the walls a darker blue hue) or provide contrast with ivory. If done right, traditional style interior design promotes one of the warmest and homely feel for a home in this list.

Where to Shop for Traditional Furniture & Decor

You can find a lot of pieces that’s suitable for the traditional interior design style from Froy, Jayson Home, World Market, and Ralph Lauren Home. Of course, you should check out your local antique and thrift stores as some of the truly vintage furniture won’t be available in popular stores.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Traditional Decor

For an elegant blend, pair traditional with either Transitional, Industrial, or Farmhouse decor. For more flair, consider Boho, Maximalist, and even Contemporary as combination options. Traditional style furniture and accessories really stand out in this day and age due to the abundance of more modern-oriented furniture designs – try to introduce a piece or two to provide contrast!

14. Art Deco

Also known as / similar to: Great Gatsby Style, 1920s Decor

Art deco interior design style is a decor type that aims to recreate the 1920s’ vision of modern aesthetics, often featuring playfully-shaped furnishings, geometric form factors, vibrant colors, and gilded accents. The style is part of the art deco architecture movement, which started in France and rose in popularity in the U.S. in the 1920s. Given the opulence of the roaring twenties, one can imagine that the art decor interior should emanate extravagance and refinement – no rustic or shaker-esque influence here.

A lot of modern design principals came to shape as a result of the art deco movement. Similar to MCM, Scandinavian, and other modern interior design styles, art deco is more oriented towards the minimalist side, though the implementation is a bit more different. Of note, the form factor of art deco furniture and decorative accessories tend to use combinations of much simpler geometric and rounded shapes. In addition, there is often some metallic plating in either gold or silver as part of the piece (ex., the legs of the lounge chair).

Space your furniture out and don’t be overly minimalist with the decorating – use patterned wallpaper, abstract modern rug, and try to imbue a chic and playful mood to the room. Make sure to define at least 2 or 3 bold colors that contrast (yet complement) each other. Art deco style interiors can come in either a dark or light-toned variety, but bold colors is a must.

Where to Shop for Art Deco Furniture & Decor

Froy has a ton of art deco-style furniture and decor, as well as 1stDibs, Joss & Main, and 2modern. Some stores might not explicitly categorize a furniture or decor piece as art deco, but you can usually tell by the look.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Art Deco Decor

Best Interior Design Styles to Go With Art Deco Style Decor: Art decor style interiors combine well with colorful, chic, and modern pieces. Consider Contemporary, Bohemian, Scandinavian, Maximalist, and Mid-Century Modern. Stay away from rustic and overly tradition decor – this is one of the few times where trying to mix styles may appear off-putting.

15. Shabby Chic

Also known as / similar to: French Country Decor

Shabby chic is a decor style that features vintage elements to create a charming French country aesthetic. The furniture is characterized by its distressed and worn-out appearance, often achieved through techniques such as sanding and chipping paint. Moreover, they often feature ornate details, such as carved legs and ruffled skirts, and come in beige or oak gray.

Decorative accessories should be soft and opulent, often with a lighthearted and youthful feel. Fine floral patterns and pastel colors work best, especially in textiles. Ornamental flowers with blush-toned pedals and lavender are classic additions to shabby chic decor.

Where to Shop for Shabby Chic Furniture & Decor

You can buy shabby chic furniture from more niche stores such as Bella Cottage, Rachel Ashwell and Belle Escape. Additionally, major retailers that sell rustic furniture will often have a few distressed pieces. You can also find bits and pieces at local thrift stores and antiques.

Best Design Styles to Pair With Shabby Chic Decor

Shabby chic decor should be paired with more rustic and classical styles such as Farmhouse, Rustic, and Coastal. Because a French country interior should be airy and charming, it goes well with a decor type that isn’t too masculine or modern.

That’s a wrap for the popular interior design styles! Hope this was helpful in getting you started in your project. Remember that the best interior designers will mix different styles, so be creative and try out a combination. Let me know what you think!