Interior Design Style Guide

Industrial, minimalist, scandi… Do you really know what these are? Whether you are looking for a room update or a complete refurbishment, it can be daunting to decipher your mid-century from your classic furniture, and even harder to define your personal interior design style.

In this guide you will get an understanding about the different decor styles, the most distinctive pieces, its colours palettes and great brands that sell the look.

By the end, you will have a much clearer idea of what your likes and dislikes are, on top of great ideas for your space. Enjoy!

Interior Design Image by Arco Style

Classic

Order, symmetry, balance and proportion are all essential for a classic look. It often portrays a focal point, usually an original fireplace or beautiful art, around which visual balance is achieved.

A love for original features, always elegant and refined, the personification of chic in interior design.

Classic design is characterised by natural complementary colours, elegant fabrics, and natural flooring in wood, stone or marble.

Adjectives

  • Balanced
  • Elegant
  • Harmonious
  • Understated

Materials

  • Wood finishes
  • Marble Surfaces
  • Fireplaces & Original features
  • Natural Textiles like linen & cotton

Colour Patterns

  • Complimentary neutrals
  • Black & White Chess
  • Regencial Pastels

Know Brands & Retailers

Scandinavian

Interior Design Image by Arco Style

Sometimes defined as a perfect combination between function and aesthetics, Scandinavian design pays homage to the way of life of Nordic countries, it is functional, natural and understated, but uncompromising on its level of craftsmanship.

Expect plenty of natural elements like form-pressed wood, natural fibre throws or furs, bespoke hand crafted pieces of furniture; most often seen on a pale and subtle colour palette, if there are pops of colour it often comes from the use of art, or a single piece of furniture.

Adjectives

  • Clean
  • Crafted
  • Functional
  • Natural

Materials

  • Natural elements like form-pressed wood
  • Natural fibre throws or furs
  • Bespoke hand crafted pieces of furniture.

Colour Patterns

  • Most often seen with subtle colours
  • Cold blues & off-whites
  • Pops of colour often comes from the use of art, or a single piece of furniture.

Know Brands & Retailers

Industrial Style Loft Living Image

Industrial

Pays homage to the industrial revolution, where machinery, engineered clocks and warehouse lighting take centre stage.

Dangling metal light fixtures in a neutral colour scheme derived from unfinished ’rough’ materials like concrete, reclaimed wood, exposed bricks and unpolished steel.

Adjectives

  • Rough
  • Energetic
  • Masculine
  • Unfinished

Materials

  • Concrete
  • All kinds of Metals
  • Scaffolding Planks
  • Steel Meshes

Colour Patterns

  • Greys and Blacks
  • Muted browns

Know Brands & Retailers