There are as many interior decorating styles as there are people who want to decorate. Which immediately presents the age-old question: "Where do I start?"
It can help if you appreciate what influences the way we decorate our home - indeed, why we decorate them at all!
Interior decorating styles are based on many different factors, including cultural and historical. They are also influenced by fashion, various discoveries in science and technology, taste, climate conditions, affluence and necessity.
What defines one style from another?
It's all very subjective, but even if you know nothing about the terminology used, you wouldn't find it difficult to distinguish between many of the styles used today.
For example, if you entered a room which was very sparsely furnished, with a couple of rugs on wood floorboards, bare walls, and brightly colored pieces of fabric loosely placed over simple furniture, you'd probably think of ethnic influences.
On the other hand, a room with wall to wall carpets, heavy curtains and drapes, as much upholstered furniture as you could fit into the room, and wallpapered walls covered in pictures, you'd most likely think the word 'victorian'.
This room from a museum in Romania shows fabrics and rugs as they would have been used in the past in a typical village home.
Almost every country has similar historical reconstructions, and these are often used as the basis for a unique style of decor.
Why do we decorate?
There are people for whom aesthetics is not a priority. They are more interested in books, mathematics, gardening, horses, or a hundred other subjects, than in how their homes look.
However, most of us like to have what we call 'nice' homes. We may not know very much about interior decorating styles, and we may not even be interested in learning much either. But we want homes we're proud of, which we find comfortable to live in and look at.
And let's face it, just a little bit of pride comes into it. When relations visit, or old friends call, we want them to admire our homes, to be impressed by them.
So decorate first of all for yourself, to make your home a place you're glad to be in, and proud of how it looks. If you do that, other people will also like it.
A modern style of decorating. A feature wall is used to introduce the basic color, in this case by the use of wallpaper. The color is then brought into the room by using various items such as the window shade, lamps and bed cover. This is a simple method you can interior decorating styles, and gives good results.
Styles are very useful if you're unsure of where to start. By selecting a style you like, you can use its features for your own decorating. If you want to, you can imitate the style to the last little detail. But you can also use it as a basis for your own decorating, and adapt it to suit your own likes and requirements.
Heavy draperies, upholstered chairs, round table with thick tablecloth trimmed with a tassel fringe, ornaments and imposing lamp base - all these details are associated with the Victorian style of decorating.
All decorating styles have distinct features associated with them. By using these features you can bring your chosen style to life in your own home.
Use a style as a basis for your own schemes
Once the decision is made to decorate, the question then arises - what interior decorating style should we use? How do we know which style is suitable? Will we like it when it's finished?
Sometimes the age or style of your house or apartment will indicate what style to use. But don't feel you need to follow that particular style if you don't want to. By carefully selecting different features of a style you can adapt it to suit your own circumstances. Recognized decorating styles give you a head start in deciding how to deal with your own interiors.
Tiffany lamps are readily associated with the Art Deco style.
By using items such as these you can instantly identify your chosen interior decorating style. You can then use the colors in the lamp in other areas of the room. For example, you could use the color of the lamp base for picture frames, or for other items of furniture.
Here are some topics for you to look at to help you with your interior decor.
Find your decorating style
You'll be able to narrow down the choices and options by looking at your likes, dislikes, and the overall suitability of a particular style.
Cottage Style Decorating
Cottage style is one of the easiest to achieve, provided you have the right sort of property.
Mission Style Decorating
Here's a style which has always had its supporters. Could it be what you're looking for?
Tuscan Style Decorating
Always a favorite, and can be easily adapted to suite circumstances and budgets. You don't have to live in the country to use it, and its color schemes are very useful in many situations.
Country Style Decorating
Probably the most popular of all styles, but what exactly is it?
Decorating Victorian Style
The Victorians were innovators, and their style of decorating reflects their adventurous spirit. Often looked down on in later decades, it has many attractions for today's interiors.
Return to Home Interior Decorating from Interior Decorating Styles
