| From sleek and modern to rustic and | | | | |
| old-world, today's interior design styles are | | | | Much like the traditional style, a more |
| as varied as houses and homeowners are | | | | formal design is elegant and luxurious. |
| themselves. What is the most common design | | | | Everything is big and overstated; the |
| styles being sought after today? | | | | furniture, the lighting, the accessories, |
| | | | even the rugs. Deep colors are most popular |
| Traditional: | | | | as is lots of intricately carved wood and |
| | | | rich marbles. A formal style works best in a |
| Traditional design styles are more comforting | | | | home with: |
| and classic than most. It is calm, orderly | | | | |
| and predictable, with little or no bright | | | | -High ceilings. |
| colors, or brash designs. This homey style is | | | | |
| quite casual, and is often used in homes with | | | | -Large rooms. |
| young children where formality has been lost. | | | | |
| When designing a traditional-looking room, | | | | -Big windows. |
| you may want to opt for some of these design | | | | |
| elements: | | | | -And lots of architectural details. |
| | | | |
| Upholstered furniture. It is functional and | | | | Rustic: |
| unfussy. | | | | |
| | | | Rustic styles are generally reserved for |
| Unstated accessories. | | | | woodsy areas and vacation homes. The design |
| | | | is simple, with a penchant toward colonial |
| Lots of wood furniture, trims and moldings. | | | | living. It often features very earthy colors |
| | | | and textures such as natural wood |
| Contemporary: | | | | furnishings; lots of wood flooring and very |
| | | | little extravagance. Nature is used as a |
| Contemporary design is hip and up-to-date. | | | | theme throughout this style in both design |
| This very modern style can be eclectic. It's | | | | and accessories. |
| bright and airy; comfortable and quiet and | | | | |
| features characteristics of simplicity, clean | | | | Victorian: |
| lines and texture, with just a hint of | | | | |
| sophistication. Features of a truly | | | | This is the most recognized of all the design |
| contemporary design should incorporate: | | | | styles. It is intricate and delectate |
| | | | featuring the styles, designs, colors and |
| Color - Neutrals, blacks and whites are most | | | | fabrics of the late 18th and 19th centuries. |
| common in this design style | | | | The best way to pull off a Victorian design |
| | | | is to remember to incorporate lots of: |
| Line & Space - In a contemporary room, less | | | | |
| is more. Walls are left uncluttered, windows | | | | Color - Deep greens, reds, mauves, burgundies |
| are left bare, as are floors and ceilings are | | | | and purples are most used. |
| often raised to give the room a large open | | | | |
| and empty feel. Architectural details such as | | | | -Rich wood furnishings with intricate |
| exposed beams, pipes and even chipped or | | | | carvings. |
| broken bricks provide texture. | | | | |
| | | | -Accessories; especially small trinkets, |
| Bold Furniture - This key element to this | | | | boxes, candleholders and such. |
| modern design. Furniture and accessories | | | | |
| should be bold and bright. Small and cutesy | | | | -Elaborate Window Coverings using the best |
| has no home here. | | | | (and heaviest) materials. |
| | | | |
| Formal: | | | | -Area rugs. |