All You Need To Know About Interior Design Styles in 2023
When designing the interior of your home, having adequate knowledge of the various types of interior design themes and how well they resonate with your personal choices is crucial to get the interior of your dreams. It may be that you have just moved into a new apartment and want to design it from scratch. Or it could be that you want to freshen up the ambience of the home you have already lived in for many years.
Whatever the situation, knowing well about different interior design styles such as Japanese Zen interior design and eclectic interior design, that are trending these days can make a huge difference in getting a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing, and functional home in your budget.
Here, we go through some of the most popular interior design themes that are trending in Singapore and worldwide so that you can choose the one which best fits your requirements. Alternatively, you can even combine a couple of different interior design styles to create a unique theme of your own!
Traditional
Having its roots in the 18th and 19th century, traditional interior design style is what you could call warm, classic, and timeless. This interior design theme boasts timeless antique pieces from the 18th and 19th century with intricate details and woodwork. All the elements in the interior have a sense of familiarity instead of being a trendsetter. These elements cohesively work together to create a timeless interior where everything is in just the right place.
Although a traditional design theme features ornate details like rich color palettes, chandeliers, and luxurious fabrics, they never look over the top. Furthermore, you will also see classic artworks and Victorian furniture in such an interior. The basic theme behind a traditional interior design style is to provide comfort, elegance, and beauty instead of showing off too many modern-luxurious elements and decor.
Since a strictly traditional interior may appear too old-fashioned and boring, it does not mean that you don’t have the option of giving it a slightly modern twist. Adding a few contemporary pieces and elements into a traditional style helps keep its timeless essence while still making it exciting and fun. A traditional interior makes you feel at home and gives you nostalgic vibes at times; hence goes without saying that this interior is a classic.
Contemporary
Where on one side of the design spectrum is traditional interior design, the other side is dominated by contemporary design features. While a traditional design style is stuck in time around the 18th and 19th century, the contemporary design theme is ever-evolving according to the current time and era. A contemporary interior can be everything that a traditional interior is not: use of elements from the current era instead of those from the last two centuries, no ornamentation or decoration that you would normally see in a traditional interior, and simplicity and minimalism as opposed to embellishments and maximalism.
Today’s contemporary interior design concept revolves around clean lines, minimalism, sleek simplicity, and decorative elements inspired by current trends. Elements in the interior have the main task of providing functionality rather than being used just for ornamentation.
This interior design style features open floor plans with uncluttered spaces. Furniture is streamlined with simple, geometric forms with little to no embellishments. The space is dominated by a neutral color palette with a few pops of colors here and there. Having lots of natural light illuminating the interior is also a significant feature of the contemporary interior design style.
Mid-Century Modern
Different from the ongoing modern interior design trend, the mid-century modern interior design style emerged in the 1930s, featuring an anti-Victorian theme and focused on clean lines and a closer-to-nature approach. Natural elements and mid-century modern furniture can be seen in abundance in such an interior. Mid-century modern furniture involved low-lying furniture with geometric shapes and clean lines and were dominated by the use of teak wood. Tulip chairs, low-lying beds, and hairpin legs are some of the defining characteristics of this era’s furniture.
This interior design trend features neutral hues with some bold and solid colors like turquoise, gold, red, and orange that act as accents. Since the mid-century modern interior also celebrates the connection with nature, such elements are added in the interior which creates an indoor-outdoor connection. Large windows that allow plenty of sunlight to enter the premises, natural green plants, and sheer curtains are some of the elements you would see in a mid-century modern interior asserting its indoor/outdoor connection.
Natural elements like wood, stone, concrete, and marble are also found in abundance in this interior, staying away from synthetic and plastic materials. However, you may have some synthetic elements in the interior, but it should be dominated by natural elements. The use of synthetic materials like vinyl and laminate which give the illusion of natural elements is also popular these days because of their affordability and easy access.
Scandinavian
A variation of the mid-century modern interior design theme that is inspired by Nordic design principles is the Scandinavian design theme. Influenced by the calm and serenity of the Scandinavian countries and their climates, this interior design theme focuses on creating spaces that give a calm and soothing ambience in a beautiful and well-crafted space. It features minimalism, neutral color palettes, clean lines, uncluttered spaces, and aesthetic artwork that create fusion and harmony in the interior. This style creates the perfect balance between comfort and functionality.
A Scandinavian interior is cozy, warm, and welcoming. In such an interior, less is always more. The use of calming and soothing colors like grays, whites, and beiges with accents of ocean blue and sunshine yellow hues help achieve a tranquil and calming ambience. These colors depict the winter landscapes and beautiful scenery of the Scandinavian countries and this interior design theme acts as a bridge to bring the Scandinavian characteristics into the interior.
Apart from the above-mentioned characteristics, Scandinavian interiors feature cozy textiles, statement lighting, and nature-inspired artwork. Natural materials with simple patterns together create a simple, yet cozy, comfortable, and elegant space.
Minimalist
As the name suggests, a minimalist interior is dominated by minimalism which basically means the less you have, the more it is. Everything in the interior is the bare essential without which you simply cannot do. There is nothing in a minimalist interior that does not have a specific purpose and function. Out of the different styles of interior design, this one can be considered as challenging since you have to create a beautiful interior that is comfortable, and functional while using the minimum number of elements and accessories.
A minimalist interior design style is dominated by monochromatic tones and white color palette, which may make the space look dull and uninvited. To add some life into such an interior, some color creates accents to uplift and accentuate the architectural features of the space.
A minimalist interior follows the 3 Fs: form, focus, and functionality. As discussed, everything in the interior serves a purpose and all elements work together in their basic shape and form. Every functional element is there in the space, however, without ornamentation and decoration.
Since a minimalist interior avoids ornamentation, impeccable architecture, woodwork, and craftsmanship take the driving seat in making the space look elegant, beautiful, and eye-catching. Uncluttered space is also an important feature of this interior design theme. An open floor plan, lots of light, and natural materials are all that we would see in a minimalist interior design.
Bohemian
So far we have discussed those interior design styles that are generally elegant and sophisticated and that are decorated in muted and neutral tones. However, such an interior might be too dull or boring for some people. For them, a Bohemian interior design style may be the answer! A Bohemian interior design boasts colorful and playful patterns and versatile textures. Also called Boho design, this theme focuses on the individual expression of design where the residents of the home have the choice of expressing themselves through the use of patterns, textiles, artwork, and other ornamentation.
In a Bohemian interior, you do not have to worry about keeping things at a minimum. In fact, it is the opposite. A Bohemian interior embraces maximalism and an eclectic approach to design. Eclectic colors that include combinations of earthly hues and bright tones make up the general theme of the interior. It also features mismatched patterns and textiles that create layers, which in turn, create depth and balance in the space.
This interior design theme is also influenced by global designs like Persian rugs and distinctive patterns from the Czech Republic. Hence, these Bohemian patterns can be seen in rugs, tiles, artwork, upholstery, and bed linen. You would also see lots of natural elements in the interior together with plants and succulents. Combine these elements with comfortable and cozy furniture and ambient lighting and you would get a fun and happy space that has a story to tell.
Industrial
The Industrial interior design theme is for those people who dare to be different since it comprises features like exposed pipes and bricks. The industrial design theme originated from the industrial revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries where large factories and industries were set up across Europe and the USA. The factories’ architecture featured brick walls and large windows with grid panes. As the industries continued to grow, stronger building materials like steel and concrete were used in the construction of factories. It was during this time that the Edison light bulb was introduced in the factories for lighting. For this reason, to this date, the Edison light bulbs continue to be a significant feature of the industrial interior design theme.
Influenced by this industrial revolution, the industrial design style features industrial architectural elements like exposed pipes and ductwork, bricks, concrete, steel, and high ceilings. The color palette is dominantly neutral but more inclined towards darker shades. Large, grid pane windows illuminate the interior which is designed minimalistically. As discussed, Edison light bulbs and other forms of bare lighting are largely visible in the space.
The industrial interior design style also showcases natural textiles like leather. Moreover, graphic lines in furniture and other decorative elements are clearly visible in the space. Black metallic patterns and graphic lines make up most of the interior.
Rustic
Another unique and fun interior design style is the rustic theme. Rustic interior design’s philosophy revolves around using what you already have, i.e. the raw materials and creating a welcoming and comfortable space. The main essence of the rustic interior is the use of natural and raw materials in almost all aspects of the design. The rustic theme can also be called a natural yet rough and casual design theme.
A rustic interior features repurposed products or elements that are naturally organic. The main highlights of this style is the rugged, natural beauty. Hence, you would see weathered or raw wood in abundance in the space. Other natural elements include stone floors, brick walls, fireplaces, and exposed wooden beams in the ceiling. Rustic furniture is one that is warm and comfortable with wooden structures.
Upholstery and other textiles are organic in nature too with lots of varying textures to bring coziness and comfort. Jute, leather, wool, and linen are some of the widely used fabrics in rustic interiors. Moreover, the rustic interior features earthy color palettes comprising white, cream, beige, brown, green, and blue tones. Usually for the walls, white or cream color is chosen that act as the backdrop for other darker shade accents.
Coastal
One more interior design style that is quite unique and gives you an amazing experience is the coastal design theme. In this interior design concept, the main ambience of the interior is beachy that is achieved through the use of soft color tones and natural lights. These colors create the ambience of the soft breeze you would experience on a beach and give you a feeling of summer in your home all year long. This interior features open spaces that are illuminated with lots of natural and artificial lighting. There is a very strong connection between the indoor and outdoor in this space, hence you would see lots of large windows and glass doors that create a seamless flow between the two.
Since the coastal theme focuses on bringing the nature of the beach to your home, the furniture comprises natural materials like rattan, wicker, and weathered woods. The textiles used in the space are naturally organic like jute and straw. You will also notice some wooden pieces in the interior but they would always be made of light, oak wood to give the illusion of sand. Similarly, the use of baby blue and sky-blue color palette is quite evident which together with the light colored wood gives the ambience of the beachy sand and water. Other than that, the main color that is used in the interior is white.
The above-mentioned portfolios and descriptions are some of the various interior design trends that are popular across the world. These interior design styles can inspire you to create the perfect abode for yourself; a place that is a manifestation of your personality and character, that is not only beautiful and elegant but cozy and comfortable as well. Each interior design style has its own distinctive features which can relate to your requirements and preferences. There are also variations of these interior design styles where you combine two or more of your favorite design themes and create a space of your own.
Browse through our blog pages to find useful articles such as bedroom interior design ideas, kitchen renovation ideas, ways to improve your living room interior design, creative toilet interior designs and even HDB interior design ideas such as, 4-Room HDB interior design, 5-Room HDB interior design theme and condominium design styles. For more design inspirations and advice regarding the interior design of your home in Singapore, contact AC Vision today.