Decorating
8 Popular Decorating Styles and How to Bring Them Home
Settling on a style is a great first step to creating a new look at your house. Here's how
Have you stayed in a beach resort and spent your downtime taking decor notes, or perhaps read a Hemingway novel that transported you to the gentle hum of a ceiling fan and images of a botanist in British Colonial style? Whether you are passionate about an era in design or the design aesthetics of a country or culture, understanding the essence of a particular style will help you decorate your home in a way that will appeal to all your senses.
The following decorating styles are variations I’ve seen on the standard ‘beach’, ‘contemporary’ and ‘shabby chic’ looks with which you’re probably familiar, and you may just see one that suits you down to the ground. If it makes you swoon, take it as a sign! Decorating your home in a style that you respond to visually, physically and emotionally will make your home your private sanctuary or dream destination. Here are a few examples of interiors you might relate to on a sensory level. Happy planning, hunting and curating…
Find an interior decorator in your area
The following decorating styles are variations I’ve seen on the standard ‘beach’, ‘contemporary’ and ‘shabby chic’ looks with which you’re probably familiar, and you may just see one that suits you down to the ground. If it makes you swoon, take it as a sign! Decorating your home in a style that you respond to visually, physically and emotionally will make your home your private sanctuary or dream destination. Here are a few examples of interiors you might relate to on a sensory level. Happy planning, hunting and curating…
Find an interior decorator in your area
2. Slick suburban
Embrace the natural light and lifestyle that your city offers you. This look is broad and would work in any house or apartment where you are after comfort, elegance and a relaxed sophistication. Keep all walls a fresh white (not cream) in a semi sheen, and use a high-gloss on your window and door trims.
The rug is used to demarcate the seating and dining areas but is not a feature, so choose one in a neutral colour in plain or subtle design. Stick to a monochromatic scheme or work with charcoals, whites and muted tones. This home is crisp, contemporary, hospitable and won’t move with the trends.
STYLE TIP: Repeat a colour in various tones in your soft furnishings or repeat a design in various scales to create a harmonious feel.
Embrace the natural light and lifestyle that your city offers you. This look is broad and would work in any house or apartment where you are after comfort, elegance and a relaxed sophistication. Keep all walls a fresh white (not cream) in a semi sheen, and use a high-gloss on your window and door trims.
The rug is used to demarcate the seating and dining areas but is not a feature, so choose one in a neutral colour in plain or subtle design. Stick to a monochromatic scheme or work with charcoals, whites and muted tones. This home is crisp, contemporary, hospitable and won’t move with the trends.
STYLE TIP: Repeat a colour in various tones in your soft furnishings or repeat a design in various scales to create a harmonious feel.
3. Contemporary eclectic
This is for the Minimalist Maestro. If you love an uncluttered look that is seamless and unfussy, edit your space carefully. To assist, decide upon a monochromatic scheme for your largest piece, such as the sofa, and then add pops of colour through art and a modern occasional Egg or Swan chair. (There are many replicas on the market).
If you don’t have an architect-designed home you can get the look with a concrete-look floor tile in a wide plank and a light grey paint in a stone finish for your walls. The walls and floors set the tone for an empty canvas and, like an art gallery, items such as curated art, wooden sculptures or a large kilim rug, will be winners. If you have eclectic taste, love your art and design, raw surfaces and clean lines, this style might just suit you.
STYLE TIP: Indigenous art is a great solution for this style. Buy at auction or contact one of the indigenous art centres directly.
Browse a wide selection of artwork online
This is for the Minimalist Maestro. If you love an uncluttered look that is seamless and unfussy, edit your space carefully. To assist, decide upon a monochromatic scheme for your largest piece, such as the sofa, and then add pops of colour through art and a modern occasional Egg or Swan chair. (There are many replicas on the market).
If you don’t have an architect-designed home you can get the look with a concrete-look floor tile in a wide plank and a light grey paint in a stone finish for your walls. The walls and floors set the tone for an empty canvas and, like an art gallery, items such as curated art, wooden sculptures or a large kilim rug, will be winners. If you have eclectic taste, love your art and design, raw surfaces and clean lines, this style might just suit you.
STYLE TIP: Indigenous art is a great solution for this style. Buy at auction or contact one of the indigenous art centres directly.
Browse a wide selection of artwork online
4. Tuscan taste
This style is relaxed elegance with a blend of natural materials, from light and dark timber tones to neutral linens. Floors are kept natural in timber or stone. For a new home opt for a cement, wide stone-look tile or large pavers to provide a feeling of history and establishment.
Lighting sets the mood with chandeliers, wall sconces and table lamps. This look suits the Australian climate whether in sophisticated homes in the city, on the coast or out in the country.
A Tuscan taste style is confident with the use of furniture in large proportions, wrought iron, rusted metals and gold mirrors. It is sophisticated and plays with the textures of natural fibres and materials, from cotton and sisal rugs to waxed wooden tables. Give your fireplace a makeover by stripping it back or distressing the paint with sandpaper on the corners and angles. Walls look great in a matt, chalk or milk paint finish.
STYLE TIP: The dining table should be large, rectangular or round and with sturdy legs or a pedestal.
Shop dining tables
This style is relaxed elegance with a blend of natural materials, from light and dark timber tones to neutral linens. Floors are kept natural in timber or stone. For a new home opt for a cement, wide stone-look tile or large pavers to provide a feeling of history and establishment.
Lighting sets the mood with chandeliers, wall sconces and table lamps. This look suits the Australian climate whether in sophisticated homes in the city, on the coast or out in the country.
A Tuscan taste style is confident with the use of furniture in large proportions, wrought iron, rusted metals and gold mirrors. It is sophisticated and plays with the textures of natural fibres and materials, from cotton and sisal rugs to waxed wooden tables. Give your fireplace a makeover by stripping it back or distressing the paint with sandpaper on the corners and angles. Walls look great in a matt, chalk or milk paint finish.
STYLE TIP: The dining table should be large, rectangular or round and with sturdy legs or a pedestal.
Shop dining tables
5. Cottage charm
Overlapping with vintage and shabby chic this style is charming. It’s a mix of dainty, sturdy, rustic and the whimsical.
Allow for mismatching in your bedroom: a stack of old suitcases on one side of the bed (for a table), and a printed crate on the other, for example. Nanna’s crochet rug could take pride of place thrown over an old Bentwood chair in the corner of the room.
Think white washes, patinas, anything homemade and little milk bottles filled with a bunch of flowers from the garden. It is a look that is unstructured, a little haphazard and relaxed, and has feminine lines. You can mix up florals and stripes, but geometrics would be too bold.
Cottage charm can encompass market finds, lace and doilies, florals, neutral base cloths in natural fibres with a hint of chintz. This style can evolve organically as you discover new finds. This style suits country cottages, coastal shacks and spaces with smaller proportions.
STYLE TIP: Lime-wash old floorboards and demarcate function zones with natural rugs, sheepskin or hides.
See more of this home
Overlapping with vintage and shabby chic this style is charming. It’s a mix of dainty, sturdy, rustic and the whimsical.
Allow for mismatching in your bedroom: a stack of old suitcases on one side of the bed (for a table), and a printed crate on the other, for example. Nanna’s crochet rug could take pride of place thrown over an old Bentwood chair in the corner of the room.
Think white washes, patinas, anything homemade and little milk bottles filled with a bunch of flowers from the garden. It is a look that is unstructured, a little haphazard and relaxed, and has feminine lines. You can mix up florals and stripes, but geometrics would be too bold.
Cottage charm can encompass market finds, lace and doilies, florals, neutral base cloths in natural fibres with a hint of chintz. This style can evolve organically as you discover new finds. This style suits country cottages, coastal shacks and spaces with smaller proportions.
STYLE TIP: Lime-wash old floorboards and demarcate function zones with natural rugs, sheepskin or hides.
See more of this home
6. Moroccan bohemia
Capture
the exuberance of Marrakech with furnishings in jewel-like colours, the tones of spices and intricate patterns. The emphasis is on layering and lighting, and being brave with colours and patterns.
For a new home, get the Moroccan flair with detailed floor tiles, or on your existing floors layer up with colourful Moroccan rugs, with floral and geometric motifs. For extra seating, scatter poufs or, for a smaller room or outside space, build in a banquette and cover with an abundance of scatter cushions. Visit fabric remnants shops for Moroccan-inspired metreage which you can hang on a dial stick as your featured artwork, or opt for an ethnic rug on the wall behind your bed as a dramatic bedhead.
STYLE TIP: Shop for glass lanterns and finely carved wood and mosaic decorative items. Also, hang metal pendants with geometric cut-outs to cast shadows.
Take a look around this house
Capture
the exuberance of Marrakech with furnishings in jewel-like colours, the tones of spices and intricate patterns. The emphasis is on layering and lighting, and being brave with colours and patterns.
For a new home, get the Moroccan flair with detailed floor tiles, or on your existing floors layer up with colourful Moroccan rugs, with floral and geometric motifs. For extra seating, scatter poufs or, for a smaller room or outside space, build in a banquette and cover with an abundance of scatter cushions. Visit fabric remnants shops for Moroccan-inspired metreage which you can hang on a dial stick as your featured artwork, or opt for an ethnic rug on the wall behind your bed as a dramatic bedhead.
STYLE TIP: Shop for glass lanterns and finely carved wood and mosaic decorative items. Also, hang metal pendants with geometric cut-outs to cast shadows.
Take a look around this house
7. Raffles romance
Find the botanist and explorer within. This theme is based on British Colonialism with an emphasis on fauna and flora and new discoveries. It is a look that has been embraced in many British colonies and is perfect for our Australian climate. It is a gin-and-tonic in a tall glass with botanical prints, rattan furniture and draping fabrics.
Decorative elements play a major role in the Raffles home with birdcages, birds eggs under glass cloches and old globes; all displayed on tables, consoles and stands. Bring the tropics into your home with large palms and ferns from your local nursery, and include a wide array of tropical indoor plants on the ground in pots and planters. Purchase a large old map or visit a map store for a sepia-toned one and stretch as artwork. If you’re really dedicated, cover your walls in woven grasses which will bring Africa into the room in a peaceful and natural vibe.
STYLE TIP: Remove all carpets, as this style works best with tiled floors and grass rugs. It’s a perfect look for those allergy sufferers in your family.
Find the botanist and explorer within. This theme is based on British Colonialism with an emphasis on fauna and flora and new discoveries. It is a look that has been embraced in many British colonies and is perfect for our Australian climate. It is a gin-and-tonic in a tall glass with botanical prints, rattan furniture and draping fabrics.
Decorative elements play a major role in the Raffles home with birdcages, birds eggs under glass cloches and old globes; all displayed on tables, consoles and stands. Bring the tropics into your home with large palms and ferns from your local nursery, and include a wide array of tropical indoor plants on the ground in pots and planters. Purchase a large old map or visit a map store for a sepia-toned one and stretch as artwork. If you’re really dedicated, cover your walls in woven grasses which will bring Africa into the room in a peaceful and natural vibe.
STYLE TIP: Remove all carpets, as this style works best with tiled floors and grass rugs. It’s a perfect look for those allergy sufferers in your family.
8. Warehouse industrial
This is an interior that pays homage to the architectural style of the building and, specifically, to the raw character of the space.
Take wall surfaces back to their original form by removing paint and plaster. You can keep the ‘workings’ of the room exposed in the beams and pipes. If you don’t own a warehouse but want to adopt this style in a lofty apartment or a home with strong lines and high ceilings, you can.
Combine light and dark woods with metal and steel; and shiny surfaces with weathered ones. Proportions are big so work with large sofas, artwork, mirrors and sculptures. Be bold, brave and adventurous and don’t clutter with decorations. This style allows you to take your time to fall in love with specific pieces. An industrial coffee table on castors marries well with Mid-century Modern furniture.
Make your large space inviting by using a variety of lights at different levels, from a pendant hanging low over the dining table and industrial caged bulbs over the kitchen workspace, to a chrome standing lamp in the sitting area. Mix it up with old and new to create visual interest at every turn.
This interior style is about individuality and items that are not mass produced. Visit auctions for Mid-century Modern furniture and industrial recyclers. That old door could become your new bedhead. This style is an ode to industry and suits those interested in form and function and the design of furniture and lighting. This look is for you if you know what you like and are bold in making decor decisions.
View more industrial-style interiors
HAVE YOUR SAY
Which of these styles moves you the most? Tell us all about it in the comments section.
This is an interior that pays homage to the architectural style of the building and, specifically, to the raw character of the space.
Take wall surfaces back to their original form by removing paint and plaster. You can keep the ‘workings’ of the room exposed in the beams and pipes. If you don’t own a warehouse but want to adopt this style in a lofty apartment or a home with strong lines and high ceilings, you can.
Combine light and dark woods with metal and steel; and shiny surfaces with weathered ones. Proportions are big so work with large sofas, artwork, mirrors and sculptures. Be bold, brave and adventurous and don’t clutter with decorations. This style allows you to take your time to fall in love with specific pieces. An industrial coffee table on castors marries well with Mid-century Modern furniture.
Make your large space inviting by using a variety of lights at different levels, from a pendant hanging low over the dining table and industrial caged bulbs over the kitchen workspace, to a chrome standing lamp in the sitting area. Mix it up with old and new to create visual interest at every turn.
This interior style is about individuality and items that are not mass produced. Visit auctions for Mid-century Modern furniture and industrial recyclers. That old door could become your new bedhead. This style is an ode to industry and suits those interested in form and function and the design of furniture and lighting. This look is for you if you know what you like and are bold in making decor decisions.
View more industrial-style interiors
HAVE YOUR SAY
Which of these styles moves you the most? Tell us all about it in the comments section.
If you love The Hamptons and Ralph Lauren, then this look might be for you. This is a classical style that suits anyone wanting a fresh palette of crisp linens in neutrals, wide stripes in blue and a formal setting. This style also works well with a palette of charcoals, black and white and contrasting piping on upholstery. All furnishings are meticulously finished and there is an emphasis on furniture placement.
Edit your accessories down to include maritime instruments, driftwood, corals and shells that are carefully placed on a backdrop of white walls.
STYLE TIP: Slipcovers for sofas and armchairs offer a practical solution for homes with children and pets and suit the coastal classic style to a tee.
More: So Your Style Is: Beach