WHAT IS MY DESIGN STYLE?
If you’re someone who gets flustered when trying to pinpoint your design style, this post is for you. I’m breaking down 6 common design aesthetics into a digestible format to get you equipped with the history, key elements, and photo examples of each. Let’s get to it.
BOHEMIAN DESIGN STYLE
HISTORY OF BOHEMIAN DESIGN
What we know as Bohemian design began in early 19th century France when artists moved to the Romani area of Paris to escape societal Bourgeois expectations. Since Bohemian design is inspired by artists, you’ll usually find various handmade items in a boho space. These could be textiles, sculptures, or paintings that share something unique about the owner.
KEY ELEMENTS OF BOHEMIAN DESIGN
Bold colors & patterns
Layering
Mixture
Collected Pieces
Natural elements such as plants, wood, burlap, sisal, and jute.
EXAMPLES OF BOHEMIAN DESIGN
COASTAL DESIGN STYLE
HISTORY OF COASTAL DESIGN
The United States version of Coastal style originated in the Hamptons in the 19th century and has taken on different iterations depending on the location. Not only can the style vary based within a region (Modern Coastal in Palm Springs vs. Organic Coastal in Malibu) it varies globally (Mediterranean Coastal in Greece and Italy vs. Tropical Coastal of Polynesia).
KEY ELEMENTS OF COASTAL DESIGN
Soft tones
Natural light
Natural elements such as plants, wood, burlap, sisal, and jute.
Clean aesthetic to ease the barrier between the indoors and outdoors.
EXAMPLES OF BOHEMIAN DESIGN
CONTEMPORARY DESIGN STYLE
HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
Contemporary design doesn’t refer to a specific period of time like Modern does but instead takes aspects from modernism, minimalism, and art deco to create the design style. Think of this style as constantly evolving to reflect the present and future.
KEY ELEMENTS OF CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
Neutral palettes
Minimalism
Clean lines
Organic silhouettes
Organic materials such as chrome, nickel, and steel.
EXAMPLES OF CONTEMPORARY DESIGN
ECLECTIC DESIGN STYLE
HISTORY OF ECLECTIC DESIGN
Eclecticism in its Greek form means “selective” and is widely used in philosophy and theology as the practice of selecting doctrines from different systems of thought without adopting the entire doctrine.
The term “eclectic” was brought into the design realm as an architectural style in the 19th and 20th centuries where architects borrowed styles from different aesthetics to create their own unique style.
For interior design, the combination of design styles, decorative objects, and architectural styles creates the uniqueness of an eclectic design aesthetic.
KEY ELEMENTS OF ECLECTIC DESIGN
Mixture of:
Pattern
Color
Prints
Textures
Cultures
Design aesthetics
Time periods
EXAMPLES OF ECLECTIC DESIGN
MODERN DESIGN STYLE
HISTORY OF MODERN DESIGN
Modern design began in the early 1900s from the German Bauhaus and Scandinavian design principles of form and function. During this period, three variations of the modern design aesthetic emerged:
Modern 1900s
Mid-Century Modern 1950s - 1970s
Post-Modern 1970s - 1990s
KEY ELEMENTS OF MODERN DESIGN
Organic silhouettes
Earthy neutrals
Contrasting accents
Natural materials like wood, leather, and stone
EXAMPLES OF MODERN DESIGN
TRADITIONAL DESIGN STYLE
HISTORY OF TRADITIONAL DESIGN
Traditional design is a classic, comforting, and familiar aesthetic that naturally evolved from 18th and 19th-century European decor with elegance and comfort at its core. Traditional decorating is perfect for those who love antiques, classic art pieces, symmetry, dramatic fabrics, and ornately carved woods in their space.
KEY ELEMENTS OF TRADITIONAL DESIGN
Detailed millwork
Symmetry
Warm wood tones
Family-friendly function
Antique & vintage finds
Layered window treatments
Color palettes that favor earth and jewel tones
EXAMPLES OF TRADITIONAL DESIGN
ELEVATE YOUR SPACE
Now that you have a grasp on 6 of the pillar design aesthetics, you can start to decipher which style you prefer and which styles you enjoy mixed together before heading to Pinterest to source inspiration.
My Cheat Sheets are meant to help you elevate your space with confidence, but if you’re someone who wants personalized help in creating your dream home, I invite you to CLICK HERE to view my virtual design services.
