The design of your home says a great deal about you. The decorative choices we make in our private spaces reflect our personalities, interests and what we value most in life. So, whether your style is contemporary or traditional, minimalist or opulent, your interior decor acts as a form of self-expression.
If you are staging your home and are after a certain style then this article will help you to create a stylish, presentable interior ready for a potential sale or rental. Or, if you’re just curious about what your own interior decor style reveals about you, read on.
Traditional styles
For those with a traditional interior style, decor is a way to honour the past and appreciate conventions. You might have rooms filled with furniture and accents that have stood the test of time, crafted from rich, durable materials that age beautifully. Accents like ceiling roses, oak flooring, bay windows and stone fireplaces evoke a certain era, and they distinguish a property as more characterful than the standard modern home.
Traditional styles signify a respect for heritage and the quality that comes with craftsmanship, and those who choose this style of decor tend to value the timelessness that comes from classic pieces. Owners of traditional homes are often smart investors who can see the value in an item that others might overlook.
Top tip: If you want to celebrate a traditional style, keep architectural details like ceiling roses and picture rails intact.
Luxury decor
For the luxuriously inclined, interiors are a chance to revel in opulence and spare no expense. Money is no object when it comes to creating a glamorous living space, whether it’s sumptuous textures, premium materials or one-of-a-kind details that signal quality. The luxurious homeowner values prestige and has an appreciation for the finer things in life.
In a luxurious home, more is more, especially when it comes to materials. Marble is a must, whether in the form of fireplace surrounds or countertops, while soft furnishings are often covered in plush fabrics such as velvet or brocade. And no luxurious home is complete without the addition of a swimming pool — the apex of lavish living that elevates any property. Luxury aesthetics allow homeowners to surround themselves with sumptuous decor that creates an indulgent place to live.
Top tip: Invest in the most premium decor your budget allows for, whether it’s high-quality finishes, indulgent textures or high-end furniture.
Eclectic interiors
Eclectic decor expresses individuality and a sense of creative freedom. For the eclectic homeowner, a space should be a collage of styles, colours, textures and time periods, much like the owner’s tastes and interests. Without rules or concern for cohesion, the eclectic interior celebrates self-expression.
Furnishings from different eras live side by side in an eclectic home, from retro armchairs and industrial lamps to quirky collectibles from travels abroad. Each with a story of its own, rooms have a layered, compiled-over-time feel. The overall aesthetic is stylish yet slightly unstudied, blurring the line between a gallery and livable space.
The hallmark of an eclectic interior is its highly personal mix of old and new, high and low, colourful and subdued. Be careful if you are showing off a house for potential sale as being too eclectic can be off-putting. For your own style, there are no rules, just a glimpse into the homeowner’s creative process and worldview through their curation of objects.
Top tip: Homeowners looking to achieve an eclectic style shouldn’t be afraid of mixing and matching patterns, colours and time periods. Look for pieces you resonate with and ignore the conventions.
Minimalist homes
Minimalist interiors are becoming increasingly popular, as more and more people are looking for ways to simplify their lives and declutter their homes. And there are several things that minimalist interiors can reveal about a person. Firstly, people who choose minimalist interior design tend to favour organisation and efficiency. Minimalist homeowners are often very methodical people, and they don’t like clutter or mess. A minimalist home has everything in its place and is naturally clutter-free.
Minimalist homeowners may also be more mindful of their spending, as people who value minimalism tend to buy less frequently, researching their purchases carefully and buying quality rather than quantity. They prefer to live in the here and now, which can lead to a more peaceful and enjoyable life, and their homes are filled with possessions that bring them a lot of joy.
Top tip: When choosing furniture and décor for your minimalist interior, opt for simple pieces that are made from natural materials. Avoid anything that is too ornate or cluttered, and focus on function over form.
Ultra-modern spaces
Ultra-modern, technology-forward homes suggest contemporary and future-focused owners who are open to new ideas and embrace innovation. These homes are likely to be filled with the latest materials and technology, such as smart devices and security measures that make a home convenient to live in and secure.
Of course, not all homeowners want to live in an ultra-modern space. But those who do can benefit from a more sustainable and automated home. Ultra-modern spaces are comfortable but stylish, with glass and steel features paired with sleek soft furnishings. You might replace a traditional wooden bannister with glass siding to your stairway, or add modern chrome lighting in geometric styles.
Top tip: Start off small with smart home devices and expand as you become more accustomed to these features.
Bohemian and rustic properties
A rustic or bohemian interior style reflects a homeowner who values freedom of expression, authenticity and an attachment to nature. These eclectic styles signify a creative spirit. Rustic and bohemian decor incorporates natural materials, artisanal crafts and textiles from around the globe.
You might find rustic woods, woven baskets, dreamcatchers and dip-dyed fabrics which lend a carefree vibe. Rooms feel casual yet curated, with furnishings that encourage lounging, socialising and a slower pace of life. Rustic, bohemian homes are perfect canvases for artistic expression, but they’re also led by nature and sustainability. You’re unlikely to find plastic and polyester in a bohemian home, with owners instead favouring natural materials like bamboo, wool, cotton and leather.
Top tip: Get creative with colours and prints that inject interest into a room.
Conclusion
There are various ways to incorporate more of your own personality into a home, no matter what your personal tastes may be. Whether you love to immerse yourself in a feeling of time gone by or you want to surround yourself with the latest in technology, there are interior styles to suit you. To get started, create a mood board of items, colours and styles that you’re drawn to and try to find the common elements. It may be that there’s a clear trend in what appeals to you, such as a penchant for luxury items or modern pieces, or you might find there’s a mix in which case an eclectic style might be for you.
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