Modern interior design is a world of fun, excitement, and inspiration. To discover some of the most well-known and popular modern interior design styles to inspire you to decorate, read on…

Interior design is one of the many amazing ways we, as humans, can express ourselves. So, if we’re not dressing to impress, we can inject a little bit of personality into our daily lives through interiors.

There are hundreds of interior design styles to choose from, some which could be much more “you” than others. So, whether you’re conveyancing on a commercial property and are looking to jazz up your home to improve chances of sale, or are just wanting a change in your own home, there’s plenty to choose from.

For some of the most popular modern interior design styles out there, here’s a comprehensive list of 15 for you to get inspired. Whether you want to mix-and-match, or stick to one style on its own, the options are pretty endless! Take a look… 

1. Scandinavian

Let’s begin with the style that everyone has probably heard of; Scandinavian interior design. The 1950s saw the popularity of this modern interior design style growing and growing, but where did it originally come from?

Well, the Scandinavian climate and long nights meant that interior design had to follow suit. So, with brighter interiors and greenery setting the scene, you’re bringing the bright outdoors inside during those shorter days. What’s more, with the democratic nature of the Scandinavian system, the idea of modern and sleek interiors on a budget was all the rage.

Without even realising, you probably have at least one of these characteristics somewhere in your home. So, let’s take a look at some of the key elements of Scandinavian design that we all know and love:

• Minimalistic décor, with a decluttered space
• Natural lighting
• Muted colours – mainly white and grey – with pops of colour to accent it
• Wooden or metal furniture accents
• Multi-functional furniture
• Graphic patterns or artwork as accents throughout
• Plants throughout the room
• No carpets, just clean, wooden floors, with rugs on top
• Cosiness is valued, through the use of thick rugs and blankets

2. Nautical

Nautical design takes inspiration from ferries and sea life, so you can take the cruise home with you. Think sailor vibes, so we’re talking blue and white stripes, anchor detailing throughout, port-hole windows, ropes, and fish imagery. Basically, anything stereotypically sailor, it’ll probably be part of this style.

3. Coastal

You might be thinking, “wait a minute, haven’t we already done this one?”. Well, you may be surprised to hear that coastal interior design is actually a lot different to nautical. So, instead of sailors and boats, we’re talking sea, sand, and shells. Instead of the harsher colours of nautical interiors, think sun-bleached decks and whitewashed everything.

4. Eclectic

This next one is really cool, and is all about odds-and-ends, as well as bright colours to accent the muted walls. Inconsistency is the key word here. Don’t think about having all your photo frames the same size and colour, or all your ornaments matching; it’s all about how crazy you can make it.

I guess some people might call it clutter but, if done correctly, this sort of style can be very chic. So, if you have a quirky personality, and enjoy having little trinkets and artwork surrounding you, then this is the perfect style for you.

5. Country

Country interiors are another very popular style, particularly in older homes, where there’s a lot of raw brick and wood in the house already. Stripping the home back to the bare bones is a good place to start with this. So, remove all the carpets, and chip away at the paints to expose the wooden and brick treasures underneath.

Wooden furniture – painted but scuffed – muted colours, with perhaps a pop of a pastel colours here or there, is ideal. What’s more, if you’re lucky enough to have wooden beams stretching the rooves of your interiors, even better for that added raw touch!

6. Farmhouse

Farmhouse interiors are pretty similar to country interiors, however, they’re a bit less rustic, and a little more put together. So, think raw wooden beams and flooring, and brick walls, just like the above. Instead, though, we’d decorate it with sleeker lines, metal, wood, and leather furniture, painted cleanly and sleekly.

Avoiding bright colours is the real key to this style, though. This is what sets it apart from country interiors, so we stick to lighter textures and colours, and muted tones throughout.

7. Mid-Century Modern

Mid century modern interior design is all about mid-20^th century ideas. It’s certainly a little more difficult to define, however, what characterises this style is:

• Minimalistic
• Organic features, especially wood
• Retro art and vintage accessories are perfect to jazz up the walls and surfaces
• Natural light is favoured, so avoiding blinds and curtains is key
• Muted walls, with colours and patterns here and there

This style definitely takes a leaf out of the book of Scandinavian design, through its focus on democracy. This was a style that everybody could have in their homes, but it would also look sleek and modern, at the same time. Overall, mid-century modern design emphasises function over anything else, much like the Scandinavian version overseas.

8. French

When I think of French interior design, my mind immediately thinks of Villanelle’s apartment in Killing Eve. But what characterises this style?

Well, grandeur and elegance are the important here; high ceilings, draped beds and doorways, vintage décor, and a mix of old and new work well. We’re talking white walls with trim work, accented with cushions, curtains, and a bit of glitz and glam here and there.

Much like French fashion, French interior design is all about effortless glamour. The interiors don’t look overly preened, but there’s an air of chic richness, which characterises this style. This sort of style screams for a chandelier, so if this is your cup of tea, then I think we’ve found the interiors for you.

 

9. Industrial

Industrial interiors are all about hard materials and harsh lines. Think warehouses or factories, but a little more homely. Some of the key characteristics include:

• A mixture of materials and textures throughout
• Creative shelving styles
• Rustic furniture, with a junkyard sort of feel
• Exposed brick and wood
• Darker colours, without bright accents
• Exposed piping

That doesn’t mean to say that industrial designs can’t be cosy and luxurious. In fact, with the wooden touches, and darker colours throughout, this can be a really warm and cosy type of design.

10. Urban Modern

The idea behind urban modern interiors is all about wealthy, young, and hip styles, taking industrial living to a softer place. Think Gossip Girl, where we see city living at its height. So, if we think of a converted industrial city loft, which is open, bricked, and minimalist, with a laid-back feel, natural lighting, and high ceilings, then there we have it!

11. Vintage

Vintage design is all about second-hand purchases and antiques, making your home look older than it is. So, if you’re conscious about the environment, then this is the choice for you. What’s more, if you’ve purchased a new build, but want something with a bit more character, this is the way to go.

We’re talking light colours and textures, reclaimed materials, panelled steel doors, trim work, and nothing contemporary. Hitting the charity shops, or even auctions, is your best bet to get the true vintage feel.

12. Shabby Chic

Shabby chic is pretty similar to vintage, with its reclaimed feel, however, it’s all about roughing things up. So, imagine painted wooden furniture that’s been sanded down to reveal the wood beneath. Then, a mixture of textures is key, with linen and cotton being the main accents, amongst light-coloured walls. Finally, the eclectic style peaks through, with art and ornaments of all different shapes and sizes to decorate your walls.

french bedroom company bed

13. Contemporary

Similarly, contemporary interiors are about decluttering the space. The whole idea behind it is a sense of being deliberate with everything, so any textures are there for comfort and practicality, and no colours are too out there. Keep it plain, keep it simple, keep it muted, keep it sleek, and maintain clean lines for this look.

14. Traditional

This may seem pretty broad, as traditional could mean anything, really. However, the technical definition conforms to 18^th to 19^th century architecture. That said, there’s no real rule book for this, as it can be a mixture of centuries, all in one.

As long as the homeowner feels comfortable, then this is the main aim of traditional interiors. The common features of traditional homes include open porches, beams and rafters, with rich, warm colours that never go out of style. In general, though, it’s really open to interpretation so, whether you want to live like Henry VIII or Napoleon, the choice is yours.

15. Bohemian

Last, but certainly not least, of our modern interior design styles is bohemian. This refers to anything which is against the grain, and goes against social conventions. Unsurprisingly, it originated during the 1960s and 70s, when individuality and free love was all the rage.

Essentially, there really aren’t any rules to this one, so colours and textures can be mixed, and furniture can be found in the charity shop. The whole point is for it to be welcoming, so floor lamps, rather than overhead lighting, is favoured. Generally, it’s all about culture and life, filling your home with décor and furniture that makes you smile.

Which Modern Interior Design Style is Your Favourite?

So, now we’ve discussed some of the most popular modern interior design styles out there, which one is your favorite? I’m partial to a little bit of Scandinavian and Bohemian myself, but I’d love to hear what you think down below?

Also, what about mixing interior styles? Are they any which you think mix-and-match together effortlessly? Let’s start a conversation, so we can inspire one another in the comments down below…