How to choose decor for different home design styles

Buying gifts is hard, especially buying home decor as gifts. Everyone has different personal preferences, so here’s a guide to help you figure out the perfect gift for your mom (or yourself) this Mother’s Day.

For the Traditional Home

Traditional home décor is marked by classic, timeless pieces. Furniture placement is symmetrical, and placed with a purpose. The color palette ranges from neutrals, with beige, cream, or taupe being the most common, to darker, rich tones and pastels.

Barrie Residence
Living Room

We recommend:

Choose throw pillows that add a touch of color to neutral palette of the room. If you don't want to stray too much from the color scheme, perhaps choose a darker or lighter neutral shade that can provide contrast.

For the Contemporary Home

The contemporary style is clean and sleek. Neutrals are standard, with bright accent walls or pieces of furniture that offer contrast. Open space is important, with large furniture pieces that pull a room together. Windows are large and expansive, and draw natural light into the room.

Project in Progress
Hilltop House | Grand Vista Subdivision

We recommend:

Pick bold primary colors and graphic patterns in decor to add visual interest to neutral palettes.

 

For the Transitional Home

Transitional homes are called that for a reason – it marks the transition between traditional and contemporary, melding the best of both worlds. Neutrals reign supreme, and most rooms lean monochromatic. Clean lines and soft textures also prevail, allowing the furnitute to not only have elegance, but also remain relaxed and comfortable.

Jennifer Brouwer Design Inc.
Cherry Hills Remodel

We recommend:

If there's an accent color, choose decor in that shade. Otherwise, pick pieces with interesting textures in neutral tones. 

For the Mid-Century Modern Home

Midcentury modern style is known for its iconic furnishings, like the Herman Miller Eames chair. Neutrals and brights are mixed, and graphic prints on wallpaper or fabrics are also common. Simplicity is best, and clean lines in furnishings are favored.

Cabin in the woods in Ireland
Sculpted to the Land

We recommend:

Go for prints and brights, especially in complementary colors. For example, if there's an orange sofa, pair it with a blue throw blanket!

 

For the Eclectic Home

The eclectic home is a mishmash of color, texture, and styles. It begins with a simple base – a white wall, for example, and select furniture pieces to anchor the room. Each piece is specifically curated and it has its own place, and comes together like its own piece of artwork.

Bold and Beautiful
Society Hill Renovation

We recommend:

Anything works - if the sofa is particularly busy, why not pair it with a plain throw pillow? Mix and match different textures and patterns to create something that is unique and original.

For the Cottage Home

Cottage style home décor is made to be comfortable and unassuming. They stray more feminine, with floral designs, and a vintage charm. Cottage style color palettes are broad and varied, and lean toward neutrals and pastels.

Lombardy Lane, Laguna Beach
Coastal Sitting Room

We recommend:

Add some vintage character and textual variation with decor made of natural materials. 

 

For the Scandinavian Home

The Scandinavian design movement swept through the Nordic countries in the 50s, and is known for its simplicity, use of light and natural texture, and functionality. The color palettes tend to stray toward whites, grays, and blues, though pops of vivid colors add liveliness to the room.

East Melbourne House
Cottage Place

We recommend:

Pops of color in bold prints a la Marimekko are common in Scandinavian design, but so are items that emphasize natural texture. Pick pieces with clean lines and interesting textures!

 

Are there any other major design styles you'd like us to delve into? Let us know in the comments!

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