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Understanding Design Styles
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Understanding Design Styles
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Understanding Design Styles
interior design school
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Understanding Design Styles
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Understanding Design Styles

Understanding Design Styles

Understanding the Color Wheel
Basic Color Theory
Color Psychology
Color Schemes
Color Palettes

Understanding Design Styles

Understanding the Color Wheel
Furniture & Design Dictionary
Basic Color Theory
Color Psychology
Color Schemes
Color Palettes
Designing with Patterns
Choosing the Best Pattern
Designing with Animal Prints
A Guide to Texture, Textiles, and Fabrics
Combining Patterns, Textures, and Color
Understanding Design Styles
How to Define Your Design Style
Types of Design Styles
Intro to Spatial Planning
Designing Small Spaces
Designing Large Spaces
How to Choose the Right Furniture Size
Interior Styling 101
Art Styling & Gallery Walls
Accessory Styling
Interior Photography Tips
The Ultimate Paint Guide
Cabinet Hardware 101
Tiling 101
Flooring 101
Millwork & Trim
Renovations
How to Design a Room
How to Design a Kitchen
How to Design a Living Room
How to Design a Bathroom
How to Design a Bedroom

Understanding Design Styles

Understanding Design Styles

Don’t get too tripped up on the labels. Understanding interior design styles will help you become a better designer, showcase your personality, and make your house feel like a home.

Like putting together a stylish outfit, choosing a design style can give your home a cohesive and polished look. Plus, who doesn’t love a good theme? It's not just about aesthetics—different design styles can also create a particular ambiance, from the cozy warmth of a modern farmhouse to the sleek and sophisticated vibe of modern minimalism. You all know the ambiance we’re referring to. It’s that special feeling you get when you walk into your favorite hotel that looks like it belongs in a magazine (or at least all over your Instagram feed). That’s the power of good design.

Like putting together a stylish outfit, choosing a design style can give your home a cohesive and polished look. Plus, who doesn’t love a good theme? It's not just about aesthetics—different design styles can also create a particular ambiance, from the cozy warmth of a modern farmhouse to the sleek and sophisticated vibe of modern minimalism. You all know the ambiance we’re referring to. It’s that special feeling you get when you walk into your favorite hotel that looks like it belongs in a magazine (or at least all over your Instagram feed). That’s the power of good design.

Don’t get too tripped up on the labels. Understanding interior design styles will help you become a better designer, showcase your personality, and make your house feel like a home.

Like putting together a stylish outfit, choosing a design style can give your home a cohesive and polished look. Plus, who doesn’t love a good theme? It's not just about aesthetics—different design styles can also create a particular ambiance, from the cozy warmth of a modern farmhouse to the sleek and sophisticated vibe of modern minimalism. You all know the ambiance we’re referring to. It’s that special feeling you get when you walk into your favorite hotel that looks like it belongs in a magazine (or at least all over your Instagram feed). That’s the power of good design.

Like putting together a stylish outfit, choosing a design style can give your home a cohesive and polished look. Plus, who doesn’t love a good theme? It's not just about aesthetics—different design styles can also create a particular ambiance, from the cozy warmth of a modern farmhouse to the sleek and sophisticated vibe of modern minimalism. You all know the ambiance we’re referring to. It’s that special feeling you get when you walk into your favorite hotel that looks like it belongs in a magazine (or at least all over your Instagram feed). That’s the power of good design.

Source: Pinterest
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Source: BW Architects
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Source: Pinterest
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Source: House & Garden
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Source: Athena Calderone
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Source: Home Designing
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Source: Apartment Therapy
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Make smarter design decisions

Familiarizing yourself with different interior design styles will help you make smarter choices about color schemes, furniture, and decor, ensuring that every element of your home is intentional and filled with purpose. What's better than that?

Make smarter design decisions

Familiarizing yourself with different interior design styles will help you make smarter choices about color schemes, furniture, and decor, ensuring that every element of your home is intentional and filled with purpose. What's better than that?

Familiarizing yourself with different interior design styles will help you make smarter choices about color schemes, furniture, and decor, ensuring that every element of your home is intentional and filled with purpose. What's better than that?

Make smarter design decisions

Familiarizing yourself with different interior design styles will help you make smarter choices about color schemes, furniture, and decor, ensuring that every element of your home is intentional and filled with purpose. What's better than that?

Make smarter design decisions

Make smarter design decisions

Familiarizing yourself with different interior design styles will help you make smarter choices about color schemes, furniture, and decor, ensuring that every element of your home is intentional and filled with purpose. What's better than that?

Make smarter design decisions

Familiarizing yourself with different interior design styles will help you make smarter choices about color schemes, furniture, and decor, ensuring that every element of your home is intentional and filled with purpose. What's better than that?

"Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style." — Billy Baldwin
"Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style." — Billy Baldwin
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Accent Chair
A chair that complements the sofa (or other existing furniture) in a room. Otherwise known as a lounge chair!
Seating
Adhesive
A substance used for bonding tiles to surfaces.
Design Lingo
Alcove
A recessed part of a room—perfect for placing shelves and styling cozy corners!
Architecture
Antique
An item that has existed for 100 or more years (and some of our favorite pieces to source for).
Design Lingo
Architectural Lighting
Lighting that highlights the architecture and design within a space through electric and natural light.
Lighting
Art Deco
This design style is characterized by bold colors, ornate elements, bold geometry, and lavish detail work. Also known as Arts Décoratifs!
Design Styles
Backing
Material that’s used as a base over which a tile is installed. Aka, backerboard.
Design Styles
Backsplash
A panel of tile behind a sink or stove that protects the wall from water and liquid splashes (while looking really good, too).
Design Lingo
Balustrades
A series of vertical supports, typically consisting of balusters or spindles, topped by a handrail.
Design Lingo
Banquette
A seat or bench (either freestanding or built-in) designed to fit into a space, typically running along a wall.
Seating
Baseboard
Millwork that connects the area where the floor meets the wall.
Design Lingo
Baseboard Cap
Detailed pieces that rest on top of the baseboard. Think: cap, aka hat!
Design Lingo
Baseboard Shoe
A thin strip of molding that lines the bottom of the baseboard.
Design Lingo
Battiscopa
A floor trim that goes between the wall and floor. Aka, skirting board.
Design Lingo
Beadboard
Architectural element made out of thin vertical strips, topped off with a piece of horizontal molding.
Architecture
Bed Frame
A frame (or platform) that a bed rests on, typically paired with a headboard for optimal lounging and catching zzz's.
Casegoods
Bench
A long seat, best suited for several people to sit on (the more the merrier!).
Seating
Bench Made
A term used to describe any piece of furniture made by one artisan from beginning to end—not necessarily on a bench, but that's the origin of the term.
Design Lingo
Board and Batten
A style of wall treatment or siding featuring alternating wide vertical boards and narrow strips called battens.
Architecture
Bohemian
A design style that captures the carefree and adventurous spirit inside of us all.
Design Styles
Bolster
Cylindrical-shaped pillows that are often found on sofas, beds, or wherever else you feel like lounging.
Decor
Boucle
A thick, often “heavy” textile containing nubby, looped fabric to create texture.
Textiles
Broken Joint
A tile pattern where a row is offset for half of its length (not an actual broken joint).
Design Lingo
Bull Nose
A trim tile with a finished edge.
Design Styles
Casegood
Furniture made of hard materials, such as wood, metal, glass or plastic.
Design Lingo
Caulk
Waterproof filler used to seal joints and make tile joints watertight.
Design Lingo
Cement Board
A cement panel reinforced with fiberglass that's used as a substrate for tile installation.
Design Lingo
Chair Rail
A wall molding installed about three feet above (and parallel to) your floor.
Design Lingo
Chaise Lounge
An upholstered sofa in the shape of a chair that is long enough to prop one's legs up on (preferably while reading your favorite book). Also known as a daybed.
Seating
Chandelier
A light fixture that hangs from the ceiling, usually with multiple light bulbs as part of the fixture.
Lighting
Coastal
This design style's philosophy is mixing classic design with a comfortable and relaxed feeling of seaside life.
Design Styles
Coefficient of Friction
The measurement of resistance to friction, aka how slip resistant a tile is.
Design Lingo
Coffee Table
A low table designed to be placed in the center of a sitting area for convenient support of beverages (ahem: coffee!) and other decorative items.
Tables
Coffered Ceiling
A ceiling design adorned with a grid-like pattern of recessed panels or beams.
Design Lingo
Conference Table
A long table, usually found in offices (spoiler alert: to hold conferences), that’s supported by one center base of four or more legs.
Tables
Console
A wide table, often placed against a wall or behind a sofa, for storage and displaying decor.
Tables
Contemporary
A free spirited design style that isn’t tied to a specific time period and evolves with whatever is happening at the time (though it usually borrows from modern design).
Design Styles
Counter Stool
A raised seat that is typically placed at a bar, behind a kitchen counter, or at high tables. Also known as a barstool!
Seating
Cove Base
A trim tile having a convex radius with a flat landing on the bottom edge.
Design Lingo
Credenza
A sideboard used to display dinnerware storage (or whatever else you want!) in or around the dining room.
Casegoods
Crown Molding
A decorative trim or molding that is installed along the top edge of interior walls where they meet the ceiling.
Architecture
Cure
The time that a tile setting material must be undisturbed and allowed to set. Also, a rock band!
Design Lingo
Damask
A heavy reversible fabric featuring a (rather luxe) woven pattern that's distinguished from the contrasting pop against the background fabric. Also a common printed wallpaper pattern.
Fabrics
Decorative Lighting
Encompasses all traditional lighting (pendants, floor lamps, chandeliers, etc).
Lighting
Demilune
A semi-circular (like a half-moon) shaped console table.
Tables
Dining Chair
A seat designed to be used at a dining table during meals (but often also found elsewhere in the home or office).
Seating
Door Casing
The functional (and decorative) molding used to frame your doors.
Design Lingo
Eclectic
Quite literally like the definition of the word itself, this design style combines various textures, time-periods, styles, trends, and colors to create the full look.
Design Styles
Elevation
A two-dimensional drawing of a wall (or series of walls) with varying degrees of detail.
Design Lingo
Epoxy Adhesive
A two-part adhesive system consisting of epoxy resin and epoxy hardener.
Design Lingo
Epoxy Grout
Used to fill joints between tiles.
Design Lingo
Etagere
A super fancy sounding word for “a freestanding shelving unit.”
Design Lingo
Facade
The face of a building, especially the front that includes the primary entrance.
Architecture
Farm Table
A simple wood table that incorporates a rustic finish, usually for dining (though not always on a farm). Also known as a harvest table!
Tables
Field Tile
The primary tile used to cover a wall or floor.
Design Lingo
Finial
Decorative caps at the top of a table or floor lamp. Finials come in all shapes, colors, and sizes.
Lighting
Floor Plan
A diagram depicting a bird’s eye view of a space, often with dimensions and furniture notes.
Design Lingo
Game Table
A table that is designed specifically for gaming—the OG kind of games like chess, cards or backgammon.
Tables
Grout
A mortar used to fill the joints between tiles. Your best friend when tiling!
Design Lingo
Hue
The actual color you’re referring to (e.g., blue). 
Color
Interior Wall
A wall found on the inside of a house (duh) designed either to bear structural weight or divide sections of a space. Paint 'em, hang stuff on 'em, and have some fun!
Architecture
Jacquard
A woven, highly textured fabric whose design is incorporated into the weave rather than being stamped or printed on the material.
Fabrics
Kilim
A flat-woven tapestry rug or fabric, typically hung on a wall or placed on the floor (you decide). We don't make the rules!!
Fabrics
Lappato
A tile finish, also known as semi-polished.
Design Lingo
Listello
A decorative border, primarily for walls.
Design Lingo
Loveseat
A small sofa built for two people (who may or may not be in love).
Seating
Mantel
A decorative framework around a fireplace that often protrudes out to create a ledge.
Decor
Mastic
A wall tile adhesive used to bond tile to wall substrates.
Design Lingo
Mid-Century Modern
Originated in the 1940s (and is still alive and well today!), this design style is all about keeping things functional and timeless.
Design Styles
Modern Farmhouse
A design style that emulates Joanna Gaines but with a very modern and elevated twist.
Design Styles
Mood Board
A visual representation or a collage board to help communicate your design idea.
Design Lingo
Mud
A slang term referring to thick-bed mortar consisting of sand and cement.
Design Lingo
Panel Molding
Decorative trim or molding installed on walls to create framed or paneled sections.
Materials
Pendant
A single light fixture that hangs from the ceiling with a chain, rod, or cord.
Lighting
Proportion
An understanding of the scale of specific elements within the same room or object.
Design Lingo
Rattan
Popular in boho designs, this is a type of palm with long and tough stems that is used in wickerwork.
Materials
Rendering
A realistic representation of a design, usually in the form of a 2D or 3D model, created with a design software… like Spoak!
Design Lingo
Roman Shade
A fabric window covering that folds horizontally when draped open or shut (not just made for the Romans).
Fabrics
Rug
A floor covering made of a thick, woven material that will protect your floors—and make your space look really good, too!
Textiles
Rustic
This design style takes a lot of inspiration from the outdoors, and generally appears to be a combo of both industrial and modern farmhouse styles.
Design Styles
Sanitary Base
A floor tile trim with a rounded finished top like a bullnose to cove up the body of the tile.
Design Lingo
Saturation
The intensity of a color.
Color
Scale
The size of one object in relation to another (and how well your pieces fit to your space in general).
Design Lingo
Sconce
A type of light fixture that is mounted to a wall, often at eye level.
Lighting
Sealer
Helps prevent the absorption of liquids and debris. Aka, tile protector!
Design Lingo
Sectional
A type of sofa that consists of two or more joined sections for sitting (or sleeping... zzzzzzz...).
Seating
Settee
A long, upholstered seat with back and arms designed to fit more than one person.
Seating
Shade
When black is added to a hue or mixture of colors.
Color
Shiplap
A type of wooden siding or wall paneling where long, horizontally overlapping boards fit together with a slight gap between them.
Architecture
Side Table
Like the name suggests, side tables are placed beside a piece of furniture for easy access for things you frequently use.
Tables
Sofa
A long, upholstered seat usually with arms and a back, and probably the comfiest piece of furniture in your living room.
Seating
Spacers
Cross-shaped plastic pieces used to evenly separate tile during install.
Design Lingo
Stool
A seat without a back or arms, usually resting on a single pedestal or three or four legs.
Seating
Surface Mount
A light texture that sits on a flat surface (like a ceiling). Also known as a flush mount light!
Lighting
Swivel Chair
A chair whose seat is able to be turned by the base to face any direction.
Seating
Tapestry
A highly decorative woven fabric often hung on a wall without a frame.
Fabrics
Thinset
An adhesive used to attach tiles to a substrate, aka adhesive.
Design Lingo
Tint
Any hue or mixture of colors where white is added.
Color
Tone
When grey is added to a hue or mixture of colors.
Tongue and Groove
A joining method where two pieces of wood or other materials have interlocking edges.
Design Lingo

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