It’s been almost a year since I created my popular “What is Your True Interior Style” quiz (if you haven’t taken it yet, what are you waiting for?!) There are 17 possible style results for this quiz, and I had a hunch which would be the more popular interior styles when I created it. Still, I was surprised to see that certain styles won out by a mile.
I thought it would be fun to break down the top 10 interior styles from the quiz results, what defines each style, and how to achieve the look. Here are the top 10 style results from the past year, starting with the most popular.
1. Modern Organic
A whopping 30-percent of people who have taken the style quiz ended up with this result! Yes, this could simply be because it’s similar to my own style, and if you read this blog, you’re likely already drawn to it. Then all the more reason to give a breakdown of “Modern Organic”!
This interior style is characterized by natural materials (think wood and stone) but with modern shapes. If you love the Modern Organic style, you prefer Earthy tones and bringing nature inside, but you tend to avoid the full-on rustic. You definitely want a bit of refinement in your living space.
How To Bring It Home
Choose soft furnishings, blankets and pillows in cream, tan, brown, olive and navy to really hone in on this style. When choosing tables, go for straight legs and clean lines. Throw in some stone or concrete-look accent pieces like vases, bowls or planters for the organic feel.
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2. Cool Contemporary
The second most popular result of the style quiz – Contemporary! If you subscribe to the contemporary interior design style, you want your home to look clean, refined and pretty. Chances are, you don’t swoon over antique or vintage finds. Yes, you want some character in your home, but without sacrificing modern. And let’s face it, walking through model homes is a dream for you! Contemporary design style is defined by the trends of the now… but on the safer side.
How to Bring it Home
Be weary of the uber-trendy pieces. You want to take a more conservative approach to your decor. Go for softer color palettes rather than moody tones. Stay minimalist when it comes to decor items. A good rule of thumb for a Contemporary interior style is a 50/50 blend of nature and man-made materials in your furniture and decor.
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3. Modern Farmhouse
Number three on the list – Modern Farmhouse is still in, it’s just all grown-up now! Also known as “Modern Rustic”, Modern Farmhouse highlights all the charming parts of farm life… without the farm. If this is your interior design style, you probably love exposed beams, shiplap or any type of panelling, and black metal finishes, all tied-up in a modern bow. Some favorites among lovers of modern farmhouse style are open shelving, neutral colors, rustic-style wood floors, and wooden beams.
How to Bring it Home
Think soft and cozy when it comes to armchairs and sofas in your living room. Whichever tone of wood you choose as your dominant, look for an aged or worn-in appearance. Bring in vintage-style art, open shelving and texture (think panelling or wallpaper) where you can. What tends to separate Modern Farmhouse from Country Rustic are the cleaner lines. Keep a juxtaposition of the modern and the rustic.
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4. Modern Traditional aka Transitional
The very definition of Modern Traditional a.k.a transitional design is combining modern style with the Traditional. Of course, what is considered “modern” changes with each year’s trends. But in a nutshell, Modern Traditional style brings in modern accents against a traditional backdrop. It’s a more layered look than traditional design, often with softer color palettes.
How To Bring It Home
Opt for traditional larger furniture (i.e. beds, sofas, dining tables) then carefully blend in modern pieces, like side tables and art. Be sure to include a larger piece (i.e. a neutral area rug with a slight vintage look) to marry the traditional with the modern in your rooms. Don’t overdo the home decor, but instead carefully curate items with a common theme.
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5. English Cottage Style
Stone floors, exposed beams, hanging pots and pans… An old-world dream life is at the core of English Cottage Style. Lovers of this style desire a home that feels charming and timeless – rooms that feel like they could have been encapsulated 200 years ago, yet with a touch of modern convenience and accents of pattern.
How To Bring It Home
“English cottage style” is on the rise and it’s becoming easier to find pieces to to achieve this look. However, if you don’t actually live in a 100+ year old home, there are obvious hurdles. It’s unlikely you’ll install a stone floor, or expose your entire ceiling joists and all! But there are ways to get the vibe.
Incorporate smaller scale furniture – for example two small sofas instead of a sectional. Find accent chairs and side tables that have curves and character. Plaid, stripes, or even floral patterns are great for an English cottage feel. Choose vintage-style areas rugs and timeless art. This is one of my favorite styles because there really are no rules! Cottage is synonymous with cozy, and your individual style will make it feel that way.
If you’re feeling motivated for some DIY projects, try adding a faux beam, or a stone accent wall to really bring in the cottage feel.
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6. Modern Minimalism
Modern Minimalism is defined by clean lines and plenty of empty space. Also called “negative space” in interior design, it’s basically the breathing room. If you love modern minimalism, this extra breathing room is anything but boring. Instead, it’s calming and refreshing.
Minimalists hate clutter, so each piece of decor is meaningful and selected with care. Modern minimalists also tend to want a high-end feel to their space.
We often think white white white when we think of minimalism, but you can certainly infuse plenty of color in a minimalist home. It’s less about white walls, and more about lack of pattern and busy-ness in your space of zen.
How To Bring It Home
Modular furniture styles work well for a minimalist home. Try to choose sofas and chairs slim in depth, so there is more floor space for that open, airy feel. Also, try furniture options with hidden storage to keep clutter at bay.
Choose a limited color palette, and choose patterns wisely. You’ll probably want to skip curtains for the windows and go for simple shades instead. Keep them open as often as you can for that natural light!
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7. Organic Traditional
I actually consider this one my own dominant style. If you love Organic Traditional style, you probably love bold patterns, traditional furniture and vintage pieces, but you also like bringing in natural elements. You like a bit of vintage, historic charm, but you also want a lived-in look that still feels fresh and present-day.
How To Bring It Home
Organic materials like wood, stone, bamboo, jute, are perfect additions to this style. These materials bring a sense of warmth and texture to the space, while an antique table or sideboard can anchor it. Bring in the beautiful timeless pieces, but be sure to still create an open and airy feel, that is essential to the vibe you’re going for.
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8. Refined Traditional
Refined Traditional interior style is a bold take on the charms of historic homes. Traditional features like wainscoting and crown molding are staples of this style. You will certainly see patterned pillows and wallpaper in a refined traditional home, and it should be timeless and hard to peg a decade on them.
There is a fine line between this style and the “granny chic” look that has recently become popular. One distinction is the avoidance of a rustic or “worn-in” look; an emphasis on the “refined”.
How to Bring it Home
Choose “polished” pieces of furniture. This doesn’t have to mean a literal semi-gloss finish (although that works!) but avoid the commonly found distressed features in furniture.
Look for more luxury materials like velvet, performance fabric and solid wood. Try to include wainscoting and timeless wallpaper designs where you can.
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9. Mid-Century Modern
Midcentury modern (or “Mid Mod”) interior style incorporates sleek lines of modernism but with a specific focus on features popular in the 1950s-1960s. Think minimalism and clean lines, but with color and fun geometry. If your style is Mid Mod, you may love modern, but you wouldn’t necessarily peg yourself a minimalist.
How To Bring It Home
You can hone into the midcentury modern style by bringing in warm-toned features like teak wood or leather. Then, accents of geometric shapes (in throw pillows for example) and wall art to personalize your space.
In my opinion, bold colors separate Mid Mod from Modern Minimalism, and simpler furniture separates this style from it’s Boho interior style cousin.
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10. Country Rustic
Country Rustic is truly rustic… You want a warm, cozy, live-in look that feels a little farmhouse or even woodsy. Mountain retreats and farmhouses alike can fall into this category. It’s all about skipping anything that looks polished, and getting back to the roots of what home is. Think aged decor pieces, plenty of rustic wood, and pattern in your soft furnishings.
How to Bring it Home
One great way to bring in Country Rustic is with re-claimed furniture. Browse Facebook Marketplace for solid wood pieces, buy new with a reclaimed look, or if you’re a fellow DIY-er built a wood table yourself!
For upholstered pieces, consider plaid and other country-inspired patterns. Black iron and/or patina light fixtures will make great statement pieces that honor the overall theme.
For surrounding decor, as many wood elements as possible – wall panelling, floors, open shelving, and beams – will help bring the rustic charm home.
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Truth be told, it’s rare your style can be neatly put in a box. My own personal style is a mixture of a few of these. However, trying to define it, or at least narrow down your favorite styles will help lead you in the right direction when choosing pieces for your home, and especially when renovating. You know your personal preferences. Knowing what particular style to look for can help you achieve that desired look that you can’t quite put your finger on, so you’ll end up with a home you love!