Your Guide to the Most Popular Interior Design Styles

Popular interior design styles are forever changing with the times, but the majority of the classics are here to stay. In this post I wanted to explore a range of the most common design styles I see in people’s homes, as well as give you some insight into a few of the more recent trends that have become contemporary styles in their own right.

Of course, you’ll note that there are probably a few styles I’ve left out, and many of the ones you’ll explore below can be merged together. I always say that an amazing home is a combination of many styles. But I find the below a great guide to help you hone in on what your fave styles are.

So let’s explore some of the most popular interior design styles happening right now.

1. Coastal

The coastal interior is one of the most popular interior design styles ever, and with good reason. The scheme is inherently calm and soothing on the eye, and yet there’s enough interest to keep the look lively.

While the base colours are whites and creams, the accent colours here are inspired by the sea. Ocean blues and greens mix with deeper indigo, teal and navy tones.

Sometimes you’ll see bright pops of red in a coastal interior design scheme, which takes the style in a more graphic, nautical direction. While some people choose to go obvious with the look (displaying boat motifs and the like), generally the vibe is less literal.

The coastal interior design style is also quite interesting because it features a lot of texture. Timber panels on walls mix with rustic woods and wicker throughout. Hessian baskets, glass bottles, jute rugs and other distressed materials all interplay with one another seamlessly.

Crazy patterns are kept to a minimum, except when it comes to stripes and florals. Both are seen a fair bit in this style, and they mix quite well together.

If you want to explore products from this look, check out this post.

2. Bohemian

The Bohemian interior design style has morphed and changed so much over the years, but its origins are inherently Moroccan. It’s a relaxed and easy approach to decorating with loads of colour clashing and a somewhat ‘anything goes’ attitude.

The colours are varied in this scheme, but save to say there’s a lot of brights and whites. You’ll see some darker browns in this look in places, but electric pinks and purples, turquoise and red tones all band together to create a visually invigorating aesthetic. It’s not a look for the faint hearted.

The textures in this look are as varied as the colours. Hard textures like woods are often seen in chocolate tones. Aged and worn materials like wicker and leather and bronze are seen a fair bit. Coloured glass is also a strong theme here, as is wrought iron.

When it comes to softer materials, there’s a lot of layering. Rugs on rugs, crochet throws on bedding, woven baskets and macrame.

Pattern is also bold in the bohemian interior design style, with tribal and aztec varieties pretty prominent.

3. Coastal Bohemian

If there’s a style that blends together two already amazing looks, it’s Coastal Bohemian. This look gives you the best of both worlds, marrying the subdued colour palette of Costal and the textures found in a classic Bohemian interior.

The colour palette here is really muted. Actually moreso than in a coastal interior design style. White on white on white is generally how you’d approach this look. Soft greys, tans and beiges might find their way in, but usually through a material itself (like hessian or wicker) sporting this tone naturally.

All of the materials that are found in the coastal scheme are present here as well. But because this look is more contemporary, trending finishes like concrete and marble can be introduced too.

The macrame – commonly seen in a bohemian space – is turned up here. All of the handcrafted, natural elements in a bohemian interior are here too, but the colour is wiped out. Indoor plants also feature heavily and a juju hat would not be out of place.

If you want to find out more about this style, this post will help you.

5. Industrial

An industrial interior design scheme is another popular, and long-running, style for the home. It’s moody and more masculine than a lot of other schemes, and there are many ways to mix the look up and make it your own.

The colours in an industrial interior design scheme are typically darker. The base would features black, brown and charcoal grey predominantly, with accent colours being introduced at your own leisure and in an amount you feel comfortable with. Warm tones like red, orange and yellow are often used sparingly to give this look life.

Because the scheme is so textural, not a load of colour is showcased in the base palette. Exposed brick, concrete and metal are all dominant materials in an industrial look. And for the most part, they’re not balanced out with loads of softness. You’ll find materials like leather featured in furniture, but not a tonne of it.

This look is all about embracing the hard in interiors.

6. Global

The global interior design style is a great one for those of you who love an eclectic look. It pulls pieces from international interior design schemes and blends them together. This look is carefully curated and feels intriguing. Every piece has a story to tell, and displaying mementoes and keepsakes is encouraged.

The colours in the global interior design scheme are fairly monochromatic. Black and deep browns blend with creams, beiges and white. Colours are often introduced through metallics; weathered pops of gold, copper, bronze and silver.

Pattern plays a huge role in this look and tribal and aztec motifs are celebrated. The African influence is strong here too; think animal prints, artwork featuring zebras and elephants, and even literal photographs of Africa. Leather features strongly in this look too.

7. French Provincial

The French Provincial style is a well balanced look, because it blends old and new, and masculine and feminine.

The lines in this look are quite fluid. Furniture tends not to feel structured and sharp. Instead, pieces feature a sense of movement and curve. There’s also a good mix of hard and soft materials.

Weathered, wooden furniture is adorned with soft cushions – made from linens and often featuring piping.

The colour palette is muted. Creams and beiges play with whites a lot. Soft browns, blues and lavender tones make an appearance as well. Overall, the vibe here is considered more feminine, but the space can be butched up by introducing weathered woods in darker colours.

Glass is a prominent material in this look. Think large-scale chandeliers and ornate pendants. Wall panelling, tufted headboards and floral patterned rugs are a staple here too.

8. Scandinavian

What makes this look one of the most popular interior design styles is that it’s fairly minimalistic but still packed with layers, texture and warmth. It’s a design style that’s perfectly balanced and fairly easy to implement.

The colour palette is cool and crisp. White on white for the most part, but soft greys and black accents are also featured. In fact, every tone from white to black is explored. It’s a monochromatic look and loads of textured and patterns are included to give the space a sense of movement.

Materials like milky white timbers and blonde oak furniture are prominent. Atop that, oodles of soft furnishings are introduced. Wallpapers in intricate patterns are also seen, as are lots of indoor plants. Faux fur, cable knit throws and whimsical lighting are also encouraged.

The look also features a sense of space, so pieces are given room to breathe. Leather and concrete is often brought in too. Graphic pattern is celebrated as well.

9. Modern Australian

The Modern Australian interior design style is an uncomplicated one. It’s simple in its approach and it celebrates quality. The lines in this look are clean and orderly, while colourful accents are celebrated.

The base tones are varied but for the most part blonde timbers and oak furniture dominate. Walls are often kept white, and carpet and floorboards light. Polished concrete is at home in the Modern Australian look too.

On top of that clean foundation, bright colours are often showcased through large-scale art, lamps and soft furnishings. If you need some art ideas from this look, check out this post.

Organic materials feature in this look a lot, and plants are displayed in interesting pots and holders. Wicker, concrete and leather accents also appear. It’s eclectic but clean. Ornaments and imagery often tap into Australian themes, like birds and other wildlife, or the beach and bush.

10. Executive

The executive interior design style is a look for those of you who like a space to feel moody and sophisticated. The approach is part bachelor pad, part executive office, but also packed with enough soft elements that it doesn’t feel too masculine.

The great thing about this look is that the base is on the darker, more subdued side. Black and chocolate brown tones play with charcoal greys. You can choose to leave the colour palette like that (and bring in interest through pattern), or you can bring in some colourful accents to lift the look a little.

The accent colours in this look tend to be jewel tones. Emerald greens, topaz yellow, ruby red, amethyst purple and sapphire blue will all look great here. As mentioned above, geometric patterns are often used to bring some interest to the look, and the home tends to have a high-end hotel feel.

Materials like velvet are prominent, as are dark timbers, stone, marble and glass. Sculptural pieces are often seen in this space too.

If you need more info on pulling off this look for less, try this post.

11. Hamptons

The Hamptons aesthetic is one of the most popular interior design styles because it has a wonderfully coastal feel about it, but with a more high-end approach.

The colour palette of white and blue is grounded with dark browns and beiges. It feels less rustic than a traditional coastal home, and is packed with formality and grandeur. Living spaces would feature more structure furniture, like high-backed chairs with sturdy arms. A large feature light over a dark timber dining table would not feel out of place either.

The rooms in a Hamptons home have an open, airy feel about them. High ceilings are seen a lot here, as are large doors opening out into gardens.

This look features a lot of natural light and accessorising tends to take a more minimalistic approach. The one thing all Hamptons homes feature is a sense of comfort.

Try this post if you want to watch a video on nailing Hamptons style.

12. Mid Century Modern

Mid Century Modern is an interior design style that captures what’s great about design of the 1950s and blends it with some more contemporary touches. It’s a great scheme because it’s a little anything goes and you can really make it your own. Some specific elements make it special though.

The colour palette is often a more colourful one, with punchy reds, blues and oranges seen in furniture, artworks and accessories. You’ll notice soft furnishings like cushions and bedspreads covered in pattern too.

The furniture pieces themselves are known to be made from warm and dark woods as well as steel, and many feature retro design moments like tapered legs, organic shapes and minimal embellishments. This look isn’t at all fussy.

The look, in modern homes, often has Scandinavian touches to it because in the 1950s many famous furniture designs came out of Denmark and Sweden.

13. Regency

If you love your interior to evoke a sense of glamour and grandeur, the Regency interior design scheme has you covered.

Made famous in Hollywood in the 1930s, this look is opulent and often irreverent. The furniture pieces are elaborate and over the top, usually featuring a lot of embellishment and fluid lines.

The overall look is quite bold and architectural, punctuated with plush moments and a more-is-more approach to styling. This is not a look for lovers of minimalism.

The colour palette is anything goes, but black, deep blues, white and gold tend to dominate. Velvet fabrics are seen a lot here, as is marble. The look doesn’t shy away from using pattern either; mostly geometric.

14. Moroccan

The Moroccan interior design style is an interesting one because it’s both low-key but bold at the same time. It’s a style that can go either way depending on how much colour and pattern you wish to display.

The basis of this look is relaxed. Low furniture in plush fabrics evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation. They’re blended with strong architectural moments like keyhole arches to bring a sense of formality to a room.

Decorative tile work is a huge feature of Moroccan design, and many modern bathrooms and kitchens are using them. These interesting patterns have also been replicated onto soft furnishings, so it’s easy to give your space some Moroccan vibes.

Carvings and handmade accessories dominate this look and there’s a sense of tradition and culture to it. Colourful fabrics are also seen a lot in this scheme and are placed atop dark furniture.

15. Farmhouse

Inspired by traditional cabins, the Farmhouse interior design style is packed with a sense of rusticity and comfort. 

Distressed woods and upholstered linens characterise this scheme. The base tones are whites and creams, and accent colours don’t tend to be seen a lot. Some muddy greens might feature occasionally through art, but chocolate browns are more prominent.

Leather sofas would be right at home here, as would faux fur rugs and metal accessories. This look feels very earthy and relaxed, as there’s definitely a masculine stamp put on it.

The look might even feature antique furniture and thick sofas with slip covers on them, and a lot of accessories will look repurposed and natural materials.

16. Tropical

The tropical look is often confused with a coastal interior but the two schemes are quite different. While both work well and are inspired by warm environments, the Tropical interior design scheme is far more literal and really colourful.

The base palette here is warm and crisp. Whites and blonde timbers play with soft greys. On top of that, rich greens and zesty yellows are used a lot. This scheme is a really colourful one and pattern is used just as much.

Leaf motifs are quite popular here, as are fruit patterns and tropical animal. You’ll be able to see the wood grain in wooden flooring and furniture, and elements like wicker, jute and rattan are used a lot too.

Indoor plants are a huge part of this scheme as well, and concrete and glass furniture and decor features as well.

Are there any Popular Interior Design Styles I’ve Missed?

I’d love to hear from you below if you think there’s a classic or new style that needs to be included in this post. Drop a comment below and let me know.

This post includes images and/or videos of Metricon display homes and events, reproduced with permission. © Metricon Homes Pty Ltd 2016. Image one via OZ Design. All other imagery sourced via Pinterest.