An Expert Guide to Discovering Your Interior Design Style
Hint: Pros say the answer might be in your closet.
Even if you have a knack for decorating, it's not always easy to pinpoint your specific interior design style. From modern to coastal, each aesthetic has certain characteristics that make it unique. That said, if you happen to have a home refresh on the calendar, knowing your design style can make the process of shopping for furniture and decor much easier.
"Just like the clothes you wear, your home should be authentic to who you are. When you have an emotional connection to your environment, you're more likely to feel comfortable and content in your space," says designer Gabriela Eisenhart.
Below, you'll find a list of the top interior design styles, along with tips on how to pull off each look. Use these expert pointers to make your space more welcoming.
How to Discover Your Style
There's no one correct way to discover your style. However, there are plenty of expert tips and tricks to keep in mind in order to confirm your taste in decor.
Travel
If you're unsure of your own interior design style, it only makes sense to take a step outside of your own home. "The most natural design style discovery is travel! Use every opportunity outside of your routine to look for pleasing and unique aesthetics," says Barrett Cooke of Arterberry Cooke.
Explore Media
Take a scroll though social media or flip through magazines and save or clip the styles that speak to you. "One of the best ways to help you discover your interior design style is to browse Pinterest and start making a board of different rooms that inspire you. To get even more clear on what your style might be, try to pinpoint what colors and selections you gravitate towards," says Marcella Domonkos of MD Design Co.
Once you get a sense of some interior design styles to follow, review the images you've saved and compare.
Look Inside Your Closet
While it may sound strange, your closet can actually reveal more than just your fashion sense. "What’s your favorite outfit? How does it make you feel? Is it a color you wouldn't typically use in your home because it feels like it is too much of a commitment? Are you someone who prefers a tailored look with a large piece of statement jewelry? These are all clues to start discovering your style. Create either a Canva board or a good old-fashioned collage to act as your guiding light," says Sarah Storms of Styled by Storms.
Bringing Your Style to Life
Now that you know how to discover your style and understand the most popular ones out there, there are a few ways to begin implementing your preferred style into your home:
- Start with one item you love
- Choose a color scheme and weave it throughout your home
- Complete one room at a time
- Avoid over-decorating (even if you're a maximalist!)
- Use a mood board to stay focused
- Hire a professional designer for help
Once you understand exactly what you're going for, designing your home becomes all about staying focused and starting small.
The Top Interior Design Styles
From interiors packed with bold colors and contrasting patterns to traditional spaces with decorative moldings, here are some of the most popular interior design styles.
Modern
If clean lines and simplicity speak to you, get inspired by this sleek modern kitchen from Atlanta-based designer Gabriela Eisenhart. Although modern home design is often characterized by minimalist decor, it's anything but boring—just take note of the gold accents and bold color of the island.
"The most successful modern spaces demonstrate restraint," Eisenhart says. "It's all about editing them down to feel perfectly collected but never cold. Mixing clean lines, rich materials, and creating warmth through minimal layers."
Photo by: Marc Maudlin
RELATED: 50 Modern Living Room Design Ideas
Contemporary
As seen in this attractive living room designed by Reena Sotropa of In House Design Group, the sleek nature of modern style balances the daring accents of color and texture. "While often neutral in palette, contemporary spaces can also be elevated with bold color-blocking. The focus is on straight lines and sharp angles, creating an inviting space through texture and mixed metallics—proving that minimalism can be anything but boring," says Rebecca Ward of Rebecca Ward Design.
Photo by: Phil Crozier
Industrial
From exposed brick walls to open layouts, there's so much to love about industrial design. "Industrial design has a strong focus on leaning into the harder architectural details in a space, like showcasing the imperfect building materials that often are hidden in a finished product," says Gabriela Eisenhart.
In order to pull off the look, the designer also likes to introduce contrast. "The trick is to balance the architecture with softer upholstery and plush pieces so the space feels sophisticated and not like a factory," Eisenhart explains.
Eclectic
If you never get tired of thrifting or find yourself leaning into unique colors, consider an eclectic design style. "Eclectic is often described as contemporary shapes, layered patterns, and textures mixed together with vintage finds. This juxtaposition works in favor to elevate the uniqueness of the pieces and often the uniqueness of the color palette," says Sarah Storms.
See more at Style by Emily Henderson »
Photo by: Sara Liggoria-Tramp
RELATED: Designers Say Most People Get This Wrong When Mixing Design Styles
Farmhouse
Who doesn't love the coziness of a wood cabin? Although farmhouse home design revolves around exposed wood, there are plenty of other key characteristics to the popular style that brings the comfort we find in nature to our homes. "I believe many people are attracted to farmhouse style today because it is relaxed, casual, and comfortable. It often incorporates stained wood beams, a white palette, and vintage finds that are reminiscent of days gone by," says Debbie Mathews of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs.
See more at Style by Emily Henderson »
Photo by: Kaitlin Green
Coastal
Bring the peace and quiet of the beach into your home with a coastal interior design style. Often incorporating blues and whites, coastal design feels casual yet luxurious. If the ocean calls your name, take inspiration from this interior designed by Michelle Boudreau of Michelle Boudreau Design.
RELATED: 30 Coastal Bedroom Ideas That Embrace the Beauty of the Beach
Midcentury
If neutrals bore you, consider this setup from Rebecca Ward of Rebecca Ward Design and go for a midcentury style when designing your home. "Imagine stepping into a 1950s dinner party—the vibrant sofa on tapered walnut legs, a hairpin-leg coffee table, and a brass sunburst mirror above it. Mid-century modern design is rooted in the German Bauhaus movement, offering a minimalistic yet retro feel with rich wood tones and brilliant colors," says Ward.
Photo by: Kat Alves
Traditional
Although traditional interiors can often be described as old-fashioned, there are many ways to incorporate your personality into the style for a polished design with rich colors. Just take note of the playful feel of this traditional living room designed by Debbie Mathews. "Traditional design often incorporates symmetry with decorative moldings, columns, and wainscoting. It also incorporates neutral colors but can take that one step further with a number of rooms being painted in rich jewel tones," says Mathews.
Photo by: Caroline Sharpnack
Transitional
Stuck between wanting elegance and simplicity at the same time? The transitional aesthetic blends styles for a chic yet subtle look that's exemplified in this striking living room designed by Reena Sotropa of In House Design Group. "Transitional is a mix between traditional and contemporary, so it is not too fussy or overdone but it is also not cold or austere," says Sarah Hargrove of The Collective.
Photo by: Phil Crozier
Minimalism
If living in a space where clutter doesn't excite you, keep it simple with a minimalist interior. Minimalism is often characterized by carefully curated decor, neutral colors, and clean lines, as seen in this sophisticated white kitchen with gold accents designed by Michelle Boudreau of Michelle Boudreau Design.
Maximalism
Quite the opposite of minimalism, maximalism embraces bold colors, unique patterns, and interesting textures. The design style, somewhat similar to eclectic home design, brings personality to the home. For maximalist inspiration, check out this eye-catching primary bedroom designed by Diane Rath of The Rath Project.
Photo by: Erin Kestenbaum
RELATED: Designers Say Minimalism Is Out. Here's What They're Loving Instead.
Laura Millar (she/her) is a freelance lifestyle journalist for Good Housekeeping. She holds a degree in Film, TV & Media from the University of Michigan, and was previously the assistant lifestyle editor for GH, where she covered home design. Her byline has appeared in NBC's TODAY.com, PEOPLE, Real Simple, and Business Insider.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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