What's a decorating style?

It’s the process of making something look more attractive or appealing by adding the right items, objects, or accessories that will help reach your interior design goals. As mentioned, we need to know what you like the most, how you feel the most comfortable, and the areas we need to avoid. By knowing and understanding your decorating style, you can feel certain and secure that the decisions you’ll be making are the right ones for your home.

Why is it important to know your decorating style?

#1. You will feel comfortable in your own space, or in other words, relaxed. You’ll be in your own element, loving what you’re surrounded by and enjoying every single moment.

#2. Love your space. It’s like dating. You need to know the person, spend time with them, and figure out if you’re in love or not. In interior design, you either love or hate your space. By knowing your decorating style, you can easily make any changes you need.

#3. Create the right atmosphere/ambiance: when it comes to decorating your space, knowing your style can perfect the mood associated with them. You can feel happier, relaxed, creative, and most importantly, satisfied with the final result.

Types of decorating styles.

Before finding out your decorating style, I want to highlight some of the main features so you can understand the difference between each one of them. 

traditional

Just like it sounds, this style is characterized by being classic, comforting, and warm. By definition, tradition is something that has been passed on from time to time and never loses its charm. This decorating style is defined by order, symmetry, and proportion. Just as if you were inside the famous TV show, Downtown Abbey, it’s inspired by European functional, comfortable and subtle style.

Check out an example of this decorating style in this previous article.

Contemporary

In this decorating style, we focus on space rather than things. Contemporary refers to objects or accessories that are modern and current in the present moment. The commonly known phrase “less is more” can be perfectly used to define this concept. Usually, the colors used in this style are neutral, black, and white, allowing for us to play with the different accessories in the room to show or make a proper statement.

Take a look at this project I worked on for one of my clients. She asked for a bright, clean and fresh contemporary space. I began by putting together a design board including my clients’ favorite colors blue and yellow. In this case, I suggested they keep the leather club chairs since they are a classic style and add warmth to the space. 

Love the look? Replicate it by shopping these key items here:

Transitional

This is my personal favorite and the one I use with my clients.

Transitional means clean lines, comfortable, updated, and modern looking, but at the same time being cozy. This style favors minimal objects, neutral and natural color palettes, and textures to create a statement. But the most important thing is to find the balance: you can play with different materials, like leather, and combine metallic accessories while focusing on staying neat and simple. 

Take a look at some of the key objects I recommend if your want to create a transitional style:

Minimalism

This decorating style implies using the bare minimum to create a simple and tidy space. Let this not be confused as boring or bland, you can increase the minimalist effect by using natural lighting, accent accessories to create a statement, neutral colors that will provide a sense of cleanness to the space, and furniture that will focus on practicality.



This concept can be found in modern constructions, such as this one.

farmhouse

Just as this word implies, this decorating style focuses on practicality, simplicity, and rustic charm. Have you seen Magnolia by Joanne Gaines? Pretty much sums it up. What I like the most about this style is that you have the rural feeling, but you can mix and match it with modern accessories that will make your space feel cozy yet styled.

In this previous post, I talk about a perfect example of this interior design style:

boho

Boho comes from the word Bohemian, stating something that’s unconventional and unique. Contrary to what we’ve been talking about, this style focuses on a more laidback/carefree sort of decoration. Now, this doesn’t mean it can be quirky or weird, it means it’s unique and one of a kind.

In this decorating style, there are no hard rules to follow, but what’s most important is making sure that it’s personal and relaxed. 

You can easily achieve this look by mixing some colors, shapes, textures, and accessories. Those are not usually found in big box stores, but in local and small shops. 

This picture from Treehouse sums up what we’ve talked about. 

Quiz: find out your decorating style

Get ready to find out which decorating style matches your personality by clicking on the quiz below:

Which style did you get? Comment below and share this quiz with your family and friends. And remember to book a call with me to help you transform your home into a place you love! 

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