In our review there are 15 different styles: historical, modern and national. We tell about each and show photos of illustrative examples.

In order for housing to be beautiful, stylish and cozy, it must have a holistic visual image. Therefore, when planning the arrangement of an apartment, you first need to understand what you want to see it. It can be a professional visualization, a homemade collage, or at least just a list of your favorite references. It’s much easier to look for inspiration in a particular design direction. In this article we have prepared a detailed overview: what are the interior styles called, what groups they are divided into and what are their main features. We also show visual photos of examples that will help you understand the difference and choose what you like.

What are the interior styles in the apartment design

                             

Historical

Classic trends are suitable for those who want to design an interior out of time, emphasize their status with it, or simply create a comfortable elegant atmosphere. It is important to understand: the historical style will require investments in repairs, it will not be possible to do only with cheap materials. In addition, it is important to strictly follow the canons so that the apartment looks luxurious and elegant, and not gaudy and tasteless.

Classic

Classics do not go out of fashion. An apartment or a house decorated in this aesthetic will be relevant in 5-10 years. Within the direction there are several bedding: 

Palace classics

Victorian style

American classics

Modern classics

The classics are characterized by a balanced composition, rich accessories, clear zoning of rooms into recreation, work and dining areas.

The classic style is dominated by pastel colors (white, blue, gold, pink). They are needed to create comfort and a space where you can relax and unwind. Bright shades can be in the decor and accents, but they should not be flashy, but deep. The luxury of this style is reflected in the decoration. You can see stucco on the ceilings, wallpaper with patterns and monograms on the walls, or decorative plaster, Venetian. Parquet or high-quality laminate is most often laid on the floor, which imitates a parquet “herringbone”.

Wooden furniture with luxurious leather or textile upholstery with the addition of lurex will look good. Massiveness is welcome, as well as decorative elements: carving, panels, carriage screed on soft products.

Art Deco

Colorful and spectacular Art Deco, originated in America, always attracts attention and finds its fans.

Main features: bright decor that combines with each other, harmony, lightness and chic, lack of minimalism. Art Deco combines exoticism and primitive art, so animalistic objects are often found in the neighborhood with sculptures and images of gorgeous ladies. One of the most popular symbols of this direction is the “rising sun”, or “Egyptian semicircle”.

For Art Deco, you can choose any colors, the main thing is their combination with each other and naturalness, acid shades will not work. Choose light colors and draw the rest of the interior picture on their background. Classic combination: beige, black and gold. Precious metals are often used in this style, especially together with crystal chandeliers, mirrors and glass lamps. All this creates an interesting and voluminous play of light, which compensates for the simplicity of colors.

For decoration, in addition to traditional wood and stone, exotic materials are often used: ivory, crocodile and snake skin, rare minerals. It looks luxurious, but it affects the cost of repairs. Art Deco requires investments cheap imitations and basic budget materials will not give the proper effect.

The furniture is monolithic, expensive, made of metal or lacquered wood. Rounded products with chrome or wooden handles are often used. There are contrasting geometric ornaments: stripes, rhombuses, zigzags.

Eclecticism

Eclecticism arose at the beginning of the last century as a historical necessity: then different styles were often combined, and so naturally a separate direction arose.

A relaxed mix of different styles, usually two or three, their harmonious combination in shape, color, size of elements, a sufficient amount of decor distinguish eclecticism.

The color scheme can be any, but designers, as a rule, choose light walls to get a convenient background for bright details. In eclectic interiors, you can find quite extravagant things: for example, a green sofa or a red armchair, a bright picture, curtains with an unusual pattern.

The walls are decorated with paint, wallpaper, plaster, decorative panels. Parquet or laminate is laid on the floor, granite or tile in wet areas. Furniture can be from different “stories”: futuristic, classic, and minimalistic. And most often, objects from different eras are side by side in the same room

Decor is very important. It is he who makes this direction so spectacular, lively and dynamic. If you are afraid of too bold experiments, play with different stylistic markers in accessories if you don’t like something, some details can be easily replaced.

Neoclassic

Neoclassicism is often called the “daughter” of the classics, but in a more modern version. But it would be wrong to assume that by removing the stucco from the ceiling, your classic room will become with the prefix “neo-“.

The main features of neoclassicism:

Light colors prevail (beige, milky, light gray and blue). Bed tones are often used as accents, but you can also find dark deep shades: for example, wine, green or blue. The neoclassical style is characterized by finishing with fabrics, the use of precious metals or imitations of their textures, a floor made of wood or porcelain stoneware.

When choosing furniture, it is better to abandon a large amount of carving and choose something strict, refined, but minimalistic. Due to the departure from the massiveness and pomposity inherent in the classics, this direction is great for standard apartments and even small-sized apartments.

Modern

This style emerged at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, preaching the rejection of historical experience in creativity and the development of something unconventional. It is also reflected in the interior design and has become popular.

Modernism strives to combine practicality and artistry. Rounded shapes, curved lines and ornaments are its main characteristic features. The emphasis remains on natural shades, but this direction also likes brightness, so colors can be safely combined.

New textures and materials have found their application in Art Nouveau, but there is still a place for traditional: for example, the walls can be covered with wallpaper, and parquet can be put on the floor. Functional cabinet furniture is suitable, but with the obligatory presence of a “highlight”: elegant fittings, frosted glazing of cabinets, smooth lines. 

If ornaments are used in the design, then it is almost always a plant theme. And we are not talking about romantic flowers, but about stylized images of stems and leaves, lianas, lilies, as well as insects. Patterns are present not only in decor or textiles, but also in architectural elements, for example, in Art Nouveau, artistic stained glass windows, doors and partitions are actively found.

Description of national styles in the interior

Every culture has its own traditions in design and architecture, and many of them have long gone beyond the borders of a particular country. The same Scandi is known and loved all over the world along with minimalism or classics. Let’s consider which ethnic styles are suitable for the interior of the apartment.

Scandinavian

Scandi can be described in three words: simplicity, functionality, comfort.

In Russia, this direction has long gained great popularity. And this is understandable: it is accessible, practical and understandable to our mentality, which is in many ways similar to the national character of the Nordic countries.

Scandinavian interiors are characterized by light colors and a large amount of light. Large windows, often without curtains, so that there is as much sun as possible, simplicity of lines and shapes, a lot of free space and few furnishings, cozy textiles. Green indoor plants play the role of decor and enliven the atmosphere.

The palette is always based on white. It is considered the main one. The reason for such popularity is simple: there is little sun and natural light in the Nordic countries, so light shades prevail in the atmosphere, which compensate for this disadvantage. In addition, scandi is very often used in small apartments, and white, gray, beige visually increase the space.

As a wall decoration, paint or simple wallpaper, tiles in the bathroom. The floor is usually wooden, you can use high-quality laminate, quartz vinyl or tile in wet areas. Furniture is chosen as simple as possible, without frills, made of wood or MDF. There is not much decor, mostly they choose items made of natural materials.

Arabian

It is part of the family of oriental styles. The name makes it clear that he was born in the Middle East.

Luxury and wealth of the East, a lot of decor and gilding, carpets and carved wood, arches and rounded openings, colorful tinted glass lanterns are reflected here. A lot of gold, red, yellow, green and pastel shades are used in the color scheme.

The walls are covered with plain or patterned wallpaper, often accentuated with wood or another color. Paint and textured decorative plaster are also used for finishing. The floor is laid out with wood or ceramic tiles with bright ornaments. In the rooms you can find low couches and poufs (they replace sofas), rounded beds, wooden furniture with carved patterns. Textiles made of expensive textured fabrics, with tassels and fringes. 

Japanese (wabi-sabi)

Wabi-sabi is also part of the family of Oriental directions, but is the complete opposite of Arabic.

The Japanese, as a pragmatic nation, striving for harmony and advocating functionality, have created a style that can be described in the same words. It is based on functional furnishings and appliances, since an important part of Japanese culture is precisely the efficient use of resources, compactness, the use of natural materials, and a tendency to minimalism.

Most often Japanese interiors are monochrome, light shades of wood and textiles prevail: gray, beige, brown, white. This choice is also explained by the fact that the neutral gamma minimizes the feeling of disorder, unacceptable in Eastern culture

The Japanese prefer to use natural materials, which is reflected in the decoration. On the walls, you can often see light wooden panels, the basis of the decoration is wallpaper, paint or smooth plaster. The floor is laid out with laminate, parquet or tile. The furniture is simple and functional, compact, lightweight, most often made of light wood. Sliding doors and partitions are also characteristic. There is little decor, almost always it is a natural theme and appropriate materials. 

French

This direction is distinguished by softness, elegance and sophistication. Rooms in French aesthetics are filled with pastel tones and beautiful decorations: paintings, candles, vases, mirrors.

The main features of the French style in interior design:

You can paste neutral-colored wallpaper on the walls or choose an unobtrusive pattern, make the floor wooden. Here you will not find simple products from the mass market, vintage items are often used: for example, a dressing table, bedside table or bedside table, necessarily elegant.

Decorative elements play an important role. In such a room there should be photos and framed paintings, mirrors, candles in exquisite candlesticks, bouquets of fresh flowers in beautiful vases.

The French style has another offshoot known to many Provence. This is a national subspecies of country, which is characterized by the use of natural materials, pastel colors, a combination of rough textures and simple rustic furniture with delicate ornaments and pastoral themes in the decor.

English style

English houses use a lot of noble wood, bookcases with open shelves, accessories.

There is some clutter, since it is not customary to put furnishings against the walls to free up space, but it is perceived as an organic attribute of stylistics.

Today, the English trend has moved away from the Victorian era with its dark colors and “moved to the bright side.” The color scheme is usually warm, muted. You can use shades of brown, red, yellow, green and gray, blue tones.

The walls are covered with light wallpaper, plain or with a light pattern, usually floral or plot. It is better to lay wooden parquet or premium laminate made of artificial wood on the floor. Furniture is usually massive: cabinets, sofas, shelves, tables. It is believed that an attribute of an English house is an armchair with “ears” protrusions on the sides of a high back. It is warm and pleasant to sit in such a place, it protects from drafts.

American style

It is a derivative of two cultures: eastern and Western, brought to a new continent. Some consider it a “parody” of classic European apartments, but despite the external similarity, practicality is at the forefront here.

The color scheme is diverse, but natural colors prevail. Terracotta motifs, ochre, gilding are popular. Beige, gray or white are often taken as the main shade.

Depending on the goal pursued by the designers, modern materials are used (for example, wallpaper on the wall or paint), and wooden panels, with which you can make an imitation of “Uncle Tom’s hut”. On the floor, as a rule, there is parquet or laminate, in wet areas granite or tile. Almost all the furniture looks quite simple and is made of wood. Low armchairs and a four-poster bed are typical for this style.

Modern

The modern trend can look completely different: from a brutal loft to a mesmerizing boho. If your goal is to create a comfortable, practical and relaxing interior, then choose an apartment design from these styles.

Loft

The main features of the loft are concrete surfaces, old bricks, large spaces and high ceilings, open communications of a house or apartment (pipes, water pipes and similar things).

The palette is dominated by natural shades: gray and brown, the color of brick and concrete. In styling, white or beige can be used as a basis.

This is the rare case when the less neat finishing, the better: deliberate carelessness and unkemptness will give color to the space. You can leave untouched concrete surfaces or old brickwork. The floor is also often found concrete or made of specially aged parquet. Furniture should look as if it was assembled randomly, without trying to find something original, and at the same time be completely unique. In loft spaces, catchy accent art objects, urban decor and homemade furniture are often used: for example, construction pallets assembled into a bed or table.

Hi-tech

It is considered the most technological direction. Hi-tech is the choice of pragmatists and techno-lovers who cannot imagine their life without modern gadgets and devices that can eliminate the need for a person to do something himself.

The main stylistic markers of high-tech:

The color scheme is monochrome, gray-white, black or brown predominate. Sometimes they add one bright accent that will attract attention: for example, red, blue or yellow.

In high-tech, plastic, glass and everything “man-made”, artificial are welcome. The furniture is only very functional and technological. At the same time, it is important that all household appliances are built into it, because, despite the futurism and abundance of gadgets, hi-tech does not like to put them on display at all.

Minimalism

Main features: No frills, the concept minimizes the number of items in the room. This explains the presence of transformers, since there are no fewer requirements for the functionality of the premises.

Monochrome is preferred, white and gray are most often used as a basis, shades of brown and blue, black are also often found. The emphasis is not on bright colors, but on pronounced textures. They compensate even for a completely basic finish.

Minimalism uses a lot of glass, stone and wood. Paint, decorative plaster or panels are used for wall decoration. Wallpaper is used less often, mainly durable coatings for painting (non-woven, fiberglass). The floor and ceiling are decorated as simply as possible. It is good that the furniture is multifunctional. At the same time, it always looks simple, glass and mirror elements are often used so that it is seemingly invisible due to transparency. 

Eco – style

The concept of environmental friendliness and a healthy lifestyle could not but be reflected in the interior design.

The main features of eco-style:

Since eco-style promotes naturalness in everything, it is unacceptable to use plastic, metal. Chipboard, too, but not everyone can afford to put a table or a cabinet made of natural rock, so there may be some deviations in the question of naturalness. The main thing is to choose a material with a natural texture. Basically, glass, wood, vines and reeds, natural textiles are used in eco-design.

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