The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Interior Design Style

The most popular interior design styles are traditional, modern, contemporary, rustic, industrial and bohemian, followed by mid-century modern, Scandinavian, coastal, minimalist, eclectic and Art Deco. To find your own style, notice which layouts, materials and colours you already like, then build the room around a few quality foundation pieces such as your desk and chair.

This guide covers what each style looks like, a simple three-step way to pick one, and how to make a home office fit the rest of your home. Mixing two styles is normal, and most good rooms do it.

What Is Interior Design?

Interior design is the practice of planning a room's layout, colours, materials, furniture and lighting so the space fits how you live and work.

It includes everything from picking paint colors and fabrics to choosing ergonomic furniture and accessories. Some styles stick around longer than others.

It's easy to get caught up in short-lived trends when decorating. Unlike clothes shopping, though, furniture is an investment. Quality pieces last for many years when chosen carefully.

Good design starts with a space that feels right for you and helps you work better from home. Following every trend comes a distant second.

What Are the Most Popular Interior Design Styles?

Six widely used interior design styles are traditional, modern, contemporary, rustic, industrial and bohemian, and each one is defined by its materials, colours and furniture shapes.

There's a style for every taste and budget. Here is what sets each one apart:

Traditional Design

Traditional style features classic furniture with timeless details like floral patterns and carved woodwork. This traditional style combines antique rugs, chandeliers, and vintage pieces with newer items to create a warm, inviting space.

Modern Design

Modern homes feature clean lines, natural colors, and simple shapes. This style keeps things sleek and minimal, without the detailed carvings and patterns you'd find in traditional design.

Modern classic interiors blend minimalist design with balanced neutral elements. There's a nice touch of black and white in many modern spaces that creates visual weight without feeling heavy.

Contemporary Design

Contemporary spaces often mix different styles and materials with pops of color. This style constantly changes with current trends while keeping a fresh, updated look.

Rustic/Country Design

Rustic design brings a cozy, cabin-in-the-woods feel with exposed beams and stone or brick walls. Natural materials take center stage in this style.

Modern farmhouse style (popularized by Joanna Gaines) borrows elements from rural buildings and focuses on repurposed materials, open living spaces, and simple, functional design. This style often includes a coffee table made from reclaimed wood as a centerpiece.

Industrial Design

Industrial spaces showcase raw materials like concrete floors and unfinished wood. This style works well with an industrial side table or exposed brick walls to create a loft-like atmosphere.

Bohemian Design

Bohemian (or "boho") style feels creative and carefree with layers of patterns and textures. You'll find a mix of vintage pieces, handmade decor, colorful rugs, and unique art pieces that give the space personality.

How Do You Find Your Interior Design Style?

You find your interior design style by noticing which layouts, materials and colours you already like, then choosing furniture and decor that repeat those choices across the room.

When you decorate your space, you're creating a visual extension of who you are. Your home should reflect your passions and hobbies while helping you do your best work.

The same idea applies to a restaurant, an apartment or a house. Always think about who'll be using the space and how they'll feel in it.

Not sure which design style fits you best? Here are some simple steps to help:

1. Think about whether you want open or closed spaces. Consider if you prefer rooms that flow together or more private, separate areas.
2. Look at the natural materials you're drawn to. Do you like warm wood tones, cool stone, or sleek metal finishes?
3. Consider your color palette. Understanding basic color theory helps you create a space that feels right and lifts your mood while working.

How Do You Make a Home Feel Inviting?

A home feels inviting when its design accounts for sight, sound, touch and smell together, so the room looks good and also feels calm to spend time in.

When thinking about interior design, consider what you want to feel when you enter your space. To make your home feel like yours, think about each sense in turn:

Sight

Interior design involves choosing colors, textures, and materials that work well together. Designers often use lighting fixtures and mirrors to make spaces feel larger.

Minimalist design uses clean lines and neutral colors for a calm feeling, while stronger color choices make a room feel more lively. If you choose a single colour scheme like black and white, add different textures to keep things interesting.

Sound

No one wants to work with constant construction noise or loud neighbors. Think about the sounds you enjoy while cooking, working, or relaxing, and design spaces that complement that sound experience.

If you work from home full-time, background sounds like rain or a crackling fireplace help some people focus. Try different types of music while working, such as classical, jazz, or something upbeat when you need energy.

Touch

Textures add interest to your space, especially in bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms.

Stone, wood, and metal are popular materials in interior design. They're great for breaking up plain walls and adding natural elements that never go out of style. Feeling different fabric samples before buying furniture helps you choose high-quality products you'll love for years.

Smell

Interior designers often include natural materials like cedarwood and teakwood that have distinctive scents, adding to the overall mood of a room.

Clean linen scents pair well with minimalist styles, while wood and amber complement rustic designs. When planning your interior, consider choosing a signature scent that matches your style.

Bringing It All Together

Creating an inviting space doesn't have to be complicated. By thinking about all your senses, you can add personal touches that make your home truly yours. The design process should be fun!

Read on for more design inspiration to help refresh your space.

Which Interior Design Styles Work Well in a Home Office?

Mid-century modern, Scandinavian, industrial, coastal, minimalist, rustic, eclectic and Art Deco styles all suit a home office when the desk and chair match the room's materials and colours.

Each style below includes ideas for making your workspace part of the design instead of an afterthought.

Mid-Century Modern Style

This style draws inspiration from mid-20th century designs with simple lines, natural materials, and muted colors. Mid-century pieces often feature tapered legs and organic shapes.

The ergonomic products from effydesk fit well with mid-century modern spaces. Their simple lines and natural materials help create a cohesive look throughout your home.

Scandinavian Style

Scandinavian homes typically feature light wood tones, white walls, and minimal decor. This style creates bright, airy spaces that make the most of natural light. Many include a gallery wall to add personality.

For a Scandinavian look, choose light-coloured elements. The Nimble Standing Desk comes with Oak White or Oak Wood standing desk tops that give a clean, airy feel suited to this style.

What's the difference between Nordic and Scandinavian design? Scandinavian focuses on warmth and invitation, while Nordic design centers on "hygge" (Danish for "comfort"), often including cozy elements like throw pillows and soft rugs.

Industrial Style

This style showcases metal, wood, and concrete in their natural state. Simple furniture and decor give spaces a modern edge with a gritty, urban feel. Look for unfinished brick, metal finishes, and concrete elements.

The black standing desk frames on the Nimble Standing Desk pair well with industrial home offices. For a complete look, add a raw-edge tabletop to your black frame. Need help with sizing? Our team is happy to help: just chat with us online.

Coastal Style

For ocean lovers, coastal design features light colors and natural materials to create a relaxing, beach-like atmosphere. This style often mixes white with blues and sandy neutrals.

Coastal farmhouse style combines these seaside elements with farmhouse touches for a breezy yet cozy look. effydesk's ergonomic chairs complement coastal interiors with both comfort and style.

Minimalist Style

Minimalism focuses on simplicity and function. This style features clean lines, lots of white space, and a neutral color palette. Decor is sleek and simple, creating a peaceful environment.

If you love minimalist design, our standing desk collection will fit right in. Sharing an office but want to avoid cluttering your space with two desks? Try an L-shaped desk like the Grove Standing Desk for a clean look that still gives you plenty of work space.

Minimalist spaces often incorporate sustainable materials like reclaimed wood. Check out our eco-friendly Closed Loop Collection for pieces that add natural strength to your room!

Rustic Style

Rustic design uses natural materials and textures to create warm, cozy spaces. This style often includes wood accents, earthy colors, and vintage furniture pieces.

For modern furniture that fits a rustic aesthetic, try our eco-friendly Terra Standing Desk. Its butcher block top is made from recycled chopsticks by ChopValue, and the warm finish adds character to any space.

Eclectic Style

Eclectic design is unique and personal, reflecting the character of the people who live there. This style has no strict rules: it's about choosing pieces you love, even if they don't "match" in the traditional sense.

Eclectic spaces might combine a mid-century classic Tulip table with a bohemian rug and contemporary art, creating a home filled with inspiration objects that tell your story.

Art Deco Style

Art Deco and Hollywood Glam styles radiate luxury with bold geometry and glamorous touches. Think opulent fabrics, clean lines, and metallic accents. This style works well for homeowners who love beautiful details and classic elegance.

A brilliant piece like a limestone cocktail table or a neutral sofa with velvet pillows can serve as a springboard object for this entire design style.

Which Interior Design Style Fits You?

The interior design style that fits you is the one that matches your daily routine and favourite materials, and combining elements from two or three styles is common.

Don't be afraid to try different approaches. Pick the elements from each style that speak to you, and you might be surprised by what you create!

If you're still figuring out what style works best for your home, check out more inspiration on our Instagram feed! Search the hashtag #EFFYSETUP for fresh home workspace ideas.

Interior design trends come and go, but quality furniture is a long-term investment. There are simple ways to update your style while keeping your existing pieces. That's why investing in foundation furniture that will last for years makes sense. When in doubt, choose neutral colours: they're always easy to style around.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a color palette for my workspace?

Start with colors that make you feel productive and focused. Many people find that neutral backgrounds with a touch of green or blue work well for home offices. Adding plants is a helpful tip for bringing in natural color.

What's the most important piece of furniture in a home office?

Your desk and chair are equally important foundation pieces. These affect your comfort, posture, and productivity, so they're worth treating as investment pieces rather than buying inexpensive options.

How can I blend my home office with my existing interior design style?

Choose office furniture that complements your home's design rules but prioritizes function. A bedside table can become a printer stand in traditional spaces, while modern homes might incorporate a streamlined standing desk with matching accessory-type objects.

What's a manageable first step for updating my home office design?

Start with proper desk height and an ergonomic chair. From there, add a black gallery wall or some cozy decor touches that make the space feel personal but productive. These small changes make a big difference in how your workspace feels.

How effydesk Can Help Improve Your Workspace

Looking for ways to make your home office better? effydesk is an ergonomic furniture company designed in Vancouver, Canada, with a focus on creating workspaces that encourage movement.

We believe a good workspace helps eliminate discomfort, tackles unhealthy habits, sparks creativity, and inspires your best work-life. Our materials and thoughtful designs help make productivity more positive.

To help you create a space where work doesn't feel like work, we offer:

• Height-adjustable Standing Desks such as the Nimble, Terra, Wildwood and Grove, each with a 20-year warranty on the frame, motors and electronics
• Supportive Office Chairs including the Aery, Kai, Grin and Celini
• Helpful desk accessories like anti-fatigue standing mats
• Space-saving monitor arms
• Organization solutions like filing cabinets

Every effydesk product comes with free shipping across Canada and the US and a 100-day trial, so you can test a piece in your own space before you commit. Our blog has more ideas for creating spaces that boost your creativity and energy.

We'd love to help you design a workspace where you can feel your best and do your best work every day. For help choosing the right pieces for your space, reach out to our team for product recommendations.

Visit effydesk.com to see our full range of home office furniture.