Design Through The Decades: Discover Your Interior Design Style Today
Are you ready to embark on a journey to transform your living space into a personal sanctuary that truly reflects you and your loved ones, including your pets? Whether you own your home or rent, the world of interior design is open to everyone. It's a skill that can be enjoyable and rewarding, regardless of your budget.
Why Style Matters More Today
We’ve all admired those perfectly curated homes online or in magazines and thought, “I could never achieve that.” But here's the truth: you can! Style isn’t about spending a fortune on expensive items but creating a space that resonates with you. A thoughtfully designed home can set a mood, inspire creativity, and make you feel truly at home. You can transform your living space into a cohesive and stylish sanctuary by learning interior design basics.
You may be confused about what style is, so let me clarify. Style isn’t an adjective. Words like comfy, cozy, clean, or uncluttered are not styles. Those are preferences. Style is a flavor, an overall look of a space. We’ll go into what each style really is next.
The Roots and Rise of Interior Design Styles
Interior design is not just about aesthetics; it's about how your space functions, looks and feels. A good design is like a supportive friend, adapting to your lifestyle and making your home efficient, safe, and welcoming. By understanding the principles of interior design, you can ensure that your space looks beautiful and serves your practical needs.
At the base of any well-designed room is style. Style is a lot like ice cream; there are many flavors, but the main ingredients never change. Things like furniture, patterns, textures, lighting, flooring, windows, and accessories are the elements that make a style its own. Once you understand which pieces and designers formed and influenced a specific style, you’ll be able to identify pieces in real-life situations, making it a hell of a lot easier to shop and avoid saying yes to free items that just don’t fit your style today.
And guess what — useable interior design styles are only around 100 years old. That means you have around 10–12 to choose from based on your preferences. Once you know what each style is, you can begin to pick favorites and icks.
Here’s a quick historical list of styles in the USA.
Let’s skip the 1800s and dive into the last 100 years. I’ll show you an example of the original style and what it looks like, updated for today’s modern world. When a style has been updated, we call this “contemporary,” meaning today's style.
- 1920s — Art Deco: Glamorous and geometric, featuring bold symmetry and luxurious materials. This style experienced a resurgence in the 1980s but with a new name commonly referred to as “Hollywood Regency” and gives off an opulent, classy vibe.
Art Deco saw a resurgence in the 1980s and is now undergoing its third revival for today’s generation. If you appreciate lustrous, smooth, and polished surfaces, as well as intricate details and geometric designs, this aesthetic could be right up your alley.
Blends well with: Original and Contemporary 80’s Styles, Industrial Style (in moderation), Eclectic Style
- 1930s — Streamline Moderne: Aerodynamic forms and smooth curves with a nautical feel. You can still see hints of Art Deco as the style evolved, but it has dwindled in popularity over the years.
- 1940s — Mid-Century Modern: Clean lines and organic shapes, integrating nature and warm colors. This is by far one of the most iconic design styles out there. There are plenty of contemporary options to fit today’s modern world.
MCM has always remained stylish and is considered the most iconic and reimagined design style in America. Why is it so popular? It’s comfortable, charming, and widely available. Moreover, it complements various other styles, simplifying the process of creating a unified aesthetic.
Blends well with: Scandinavian, Psychedelic, Eclectic, Urban Modern, Bohemian, Minimalist
Download a free guide and learn what makes this style so unique so you can decide if it’s right for you.
- 1950s — Scandinavian: Minimalism and functionality with natural woods and muted colors. Heavily influenced by Mid-Century Modern and popularized by IKEA, Scandinavian design is light, airy, and affordable.
Thanks to IKEA, Scandinavian design has had a little facelift over the years. Today, it is widely popular because it blends seamlessly with so many other styles. This is due to its heavy use of natural materials and 360-degree design approach, making it look good from every angle.
Blends well with: Mid Century Modern, Bohemian, Contemporary, Urban Modern, Minimalist, Industrial
Download a free guide! We go over everything that makes this style so unique.
- 1960s — Psychedelic: Vibrant colors and trippy patterns reflecting non-conformity and a sense of personalization. A 60’s home will reflect the uprising against social norms and is anything but bland. Blend elements of this style with Urban Modern or Bohemian to create a vibe that feels funky and fresh.
The 60s have been reimagined for today’s world through the heavy use of patterns, lighting, texture, and art. This design style is great for creatives who want to get lost in their space, or for people who love to entertain and want to talk about their unique choices when it comes to their home. This style is for anyone who wants a home that’s as unforgettable as the people in it.
Blends well with: Contemporary and Urban Modern
- 1970s — Bohemian: Eclectic mix of global influences with earthy tones and layered textures. Bohemian design celebrates collecting pieces from around the world that provoke a sense of spirituality and travel. This style has been modernized for today and (I hate to say it) is on its way out. However, if this style resonates with who you are , keep it!
We all just experienced the great boho revival over the last few years, and for many, this was the first time we saw a style we really resonated with. But for some, the over popularization of crystals, tapestries, and plants just didn’t hit the spot. BOHO may be on its way out, but if you’re a free-spirited, comfy-cozy type, this style is perfect for you.
Blends well with: Eclectic, Scandinavian, Mid Century Modern, Psychedelic
Download a free guide if you want more Bohemian Style in your life
- 1980s — Memphis and Post-Modern: Bold colors and geometric shapes with avant-garde flair. The 80s experimented HARD with colors, shapes, and patterns. Today, there are tons of remixes of classic designs. This style may be perfect for you if you're nostalgic and love color.
See what the 80s look like today by following us on Pinterest!
If you’re a nostalgic type or elder millennial who wants to experiment with the use of color, shape, and pattern to create a unique home that feels like you, you really need to explore the 80s. The good news is that this style is coming back HUGE right now, and it’s super easy to find, even if you’re on a budget.
Blends well with: Psychedelic, Urban Modern, Bohemian, and Contemporary.
Download a free guide! This is our favorite one!
- 1990s — Urban Modern & Minimalism: Sleek lines with neutral palettes and uncluttered spaces. A less is more approach started to spread across the USA in the 1990s. So did the expansion of building high-rise apartments in urban areas. These two things combined formed what is known as Urban Modern Style. Urban Modern is perfect for city dwellers and busy professionals and can be easily achieved through choosing large furniture, art, and lighting. Learn more about one of my favorite design styles in our express classes.
Minimalism gets a bad wrap, it’s portrayed as empty rooms with blank walls and only a stack of books holding up your coffee and one weird chair in the corner. But the great thing about minimalism is that you decide what is essential for your lifestyle and how you want to live; it’s your choice. Minimalist design is about having everything out of the way so you can enjoy more of life, unburdened because you have less. Less material items to clean, organize, replace, and eventually destroy.
This style is returning today for city dwellers and those on a budget who want a ton of style while having fewer items. Life is getting more expensive by the minute, but thanks to local businesses and marketplaces, it’s easy to find functional, stylish pieces for less. If you want a clean, modern, and efficient space, explore these styles more on your own!
Blends well with: Contemporary, Mid Century Modern and Industrial.
Download a free guide to Urban Modern Style
Download a free guide to Minimalist Mindset Style
- The 2000s—Industrial and Shabby Chic: In the 2000s, we started to see Industrial Design take over, and for a good reason. This style is perfect for restaurants, retail spaces, and vintage stores because it celebrates the use of low-cost building materials and can be easily achieved with the right combination of wood, metal, and glass. Industrial design is perfect for creative types who live in studios or apartments. Industrial Design’s sister is Shabby Chic.
Learn more about Industrial Style with a free guide.
Shabby Chic rose in popularity alongside DIY and renovation projects. Shabby Chic is basically taking something old and putting a fresh coat of chalk paint on it. Items are ornate, vintage, or antique and usually very frilly or feminine. I’ve been seeing a more colorful resurgence of this style recently, and I don’t hate it as much as the original.
- 2010s — Farmhouse and Rustic: Cozy country living with modern twists and natural elements. Heavily popularized by Joanna Gaines and HGTV, this style spread like wildfire over the last decade. This style is perfect for families who want a warm and inviting atmosphere with a nod to simpler living.
- 2020s — Biophilic and Sustainable: Connection with nature using organic materials and eco-friendly practices like thrifting and DIYing. Remember when EVERYONE started buying and selling plants during the pandemic? Remember when everyone started decluttering and selling things on Facebook Marketplace? Remember the large lines outside of every Home Depot when the world shut down? That there is biophilic and sustainable design, a design trend that I hope sticks around forever.
Because interior design styles are born from each decade, it’s easy to spot and notice when they start to come back. Each decade of design pulls a little inspiration from the previous decade. Interior Design styles are a lot like fashion. The iconic elements always come back, but with a slight modern twist.
We recently experienced the comeback of 1970s bohemian design and are well into the comeback of the 1980s and 90s. I can guarantee a fresh take on Industrial and Shabby Chic is on the horizon.
Kinda neat, huh?
You can view what each style looks like today by following us on Pinterest and viewing our Style Boards.
We even have guides on our favorite seven foundational styles that you can download to help uncover your style.
Or take an express style class. Each style is explained in 15 minutes or less and designed to help you understand and identify what makes each unique.
Style Vs. Trends
It’s important to know the difference between a style and a trend. Trends come and go, but style is forever. What do I mean? A style is a collection of specific elements born from a particular era. A trend is often a remix or updated version of a foundational style—a modernized version of something nostalgic.
Trends are fun and readily available at every Target, Home Goods, and Ross. We’re not anti-trend. We suggest you keep trendy items to small items like vases, pillows, or wall art. Trends fade fast, and you’ll spend more to replace them over time, so instead — find larger pieces that resonate with your style blend in a color, shape, or pattern you love. Experiment with trends as they come and go, or replace the trends you currently have over time.
Finding Your Style, A quick note:
Before taking on a home project, it’s important to understand the difference between style, vibe, and theme.
- Style: Made up of elements like furniture, patterns, and accessories from specific periods.
- Vibe (or Mood): The feeling you want to create in a space, engaging the senses.
- Theme: A repeating element or motif used subtly or boldly throughout your space.
Next time you see a room you love while looking for inspiration, try to identify its style, vibe, theme, and what you love about it so you can experiment with it on your mood board without spending a dime!
How to Find Your Style
Here are six steps to guide you:
- Revisit Inspiration You’ve Already Saved: Look at your Pinterest boards or saved posts for recurring themes. Or, visit our Pinterest boards to get a feel for each style.
- Bohemian
- Mid Century Modern
- Minimalist
- Scandinavian
- Industrial
- Urban Modern (a blend of MCM, industrial, contemporary)
- Contemporary 80's
- Contemporary
- Farmhouse
- Eclectic
2. Rule Out the Styles You Don’t Like: Identify styles that don’t resonate with you. Take an express style class to find out!
3. Look for New Inspiration: Gather ideas for your first room renovation.
4. Practice Spatial Awareness: Observe design elements around you and note what you love. Which foundational style does this item belong to?
5. Look for Recurring Design Elements: Note common colors, patterns, and shapes.
6. Assess Your Wardrobe: Your clothing style can offer clues about your interior design preferences, especially when it comes to color and patterns.
I know what you’re already thinking, but I like more than one or two styles and don’t know how to work with them. No problem. All you need to do is find the common elements between them and use a simple ratio formula to make it work. We have a guide coming out this month—sign up for our email list to get it straight to your inbox.
Experiment with a mood board once you’ve found 1–3 styles you love.
Mood Boards and Inspiration
Use tools like Pinterest to create a mood board filled with images that inspire you. Focus on what makes you light up and save those images to spot recurring themes.
If you’re ready to start, create a mood board reflecting your style blend. Look for recurring elements and save what you love!
Of course, we have an express class on how to create a mood board. You can pre-register here.
Feel free to share your progress or ask questions in the comments below or Sign Up for Our Beginner’s Guide.
Happy decorating!
