When the decision is made to move into a new home, it is common to find rooms that are empty or styleless. They have to be brought to life, and the way to do this isby studying different decorative styles.

Before stuffing the house with elements without connection, or without personality, it is necessary to walk through the different styles of decoration that set the tone in the world. It is about dressing the house with interior design trends, to create pleasant spaces that adapt to the tastes and needs of those who will inhabit it.

1. Nordic style

It is a trend of style and decoration that has predominated for years: luminosity, light colors and elements related to nature steal all the protagonism.

1.1 History and context

Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark are credited with the fact that the Nordic gained popularity in 20th-century interior decoration style, and that it remains as a trend.

The concept arose because in these countries most of the year there is little natural light. It became a way to replace that lack of light. Hence the colors used are clear.

1.2 Characteristics and elements (materials)

The primary resource for Nordic decoration is nature, which is why the furniture is made of wood. The cushions and curtains are made of natural fabrics such as linen, cotton or wool.

Flower prints predominate in the style of interior decoration, and evolution towards stripes and squares has been seen. About the furniture, simplicity and straight lines combined with soft curves give it a distinctive touch.

2. Scandinavian Style

Among the decoration styles, the Scandinavian stands out for its clear spaces and minimalism. White is the predominant color; the ceiling, floor, walls, and furniture are in the same shade. The aim is to transmit peace, simplicity, and tranquillity.

2.1 History and context

The long winters of northern Europe gave way to decorative styles such as Scandinavian. The need to bring light into homes took over in the 20th century. Today it is still alive and has spread all over the world.

2.2 Characteristics and elements (materials)

The components made of light colored woods (white, beige and grey), which are combined with metals, stones, and natural fibers, stand out. Modern vintage style furniture takes the leading role in interior decoration with the Scandinavian formula.

3. Minimalist style

The minimalist interior decoration style is perfect for lovers of order, for those who feel at ease in simple and serene spaces. In this type of home interior decoration, the premise is “less is more.”

3.1 History and context

Interior decoration styles related to minimalism were born in the United States in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the1970s that they began to take off.

3.2 Characteristics and material elements

Formica veneers that give a feeling of opulence are the key to this type of decoration. In the minimalist style, furniture should have very similar colors to the floor and walls.

Smooth surfaces, glass, and stones predominate in this style of interior decoration.

4. Rustic style

The rustic design styles evoke the rural houses because the houses with an interior style of this type contribute harmony, well-being, and comfort.

 4.1 History and context

The rustic style was born from the need not to let die the traditional, so many holiday homes are decorated with this trend. Since the twentieth century, this decoration originated in various parts of the world.

It is why modern rustic interior design can vary from country to country.

4.2 Characteristics and material elements

Rustic decoration styles include cobblestone or wood floors. They are cool and bright spaces, so the colors used are warm.

The interesting thing about rustic styles is that there is a great variety of natural materials. The essential ones are the wood, the stone, the mud, the wicker and, in many cases, full spaces of harmony are obtained thanks to the ceramics. As far as fabrics are concerned, linen and cotton are the favorites.

5. Bohemian style

Bohemian interior design styles are an explosion of freedom, happiness, and life. They allow varied combinations with warm and vibrant colors.

They are easy to recognize, as yellow, orange and red predominate. They are modern style houses in balance with hippie, vintage and gypsy fashion. If in the minimalist “less is more,” in the bohemian “more is more.”

5.1 History and context

It originated from the need for a current to give value to life, to connect man with nature, and to enjoy in a more relaxed way. In the houses with bohemian interiors style, fair value is given to the old and the natural.

5.2 Characteristics and elements (materials)

Furniture practically disappears from the rooms; instead, poufs, cushions, and carpets are placed. It is a diverse and inexpensive type of decoration because much of what is used can be bought at garage sales, fairs and flea markets. Everything can be given a second chance.

Natural materials such as wood, wicker, and rattan are perfect for creating bohemian spaces.

You may have just moved to a new city and found yourself a cozy little apartment that you want to call home or just fancy freshening up your comfort zone, clever interior design can change the atmosphere and aura at home drastically. Some clever cues come with basically zero effort but have a large impact on how you feel when at home, be it changing the tone of color, a few mirrors that play with how light flows through your space to something simple as an intelligently placed painting or just a single decorative cactus. Here are a few secrets designers usually use to completely revamp a home or make your new freshly painted apartment a home.

• Living on a budget?
If all you can afford is a small yet comfortable space it doesn’t help if the paint job inside makes it seem even smaller. Harsh and contrasting paints on walls can overly define boundaries and can make the outline and walls of the room seem over imposing and give the general feeling of being in a small space. Softer and lighter colors help diffuse the light blurring edges and room boundaries making the viewer feel like they’re in a larger space than they actually are. They also spread the light in a soft manner making it easy on the eyes, relaxing and calming, elevating the aura of the room, keeping it pleasant and comfortable. Take away more of the boxed feeling of the room by having large, tall windows and plenty of mirrors to bounce the light around and you will have a mansion of a room simply by employing some optical illusion.

• Don’t stick to the normal mirrors, play magician at home
Adding mirrors to your home, especially facing a window is a great idea to spread light around the space and keep it feeling alive, fresh and pleasant. Decorative mirrors with an artistic touch and flair to them do this even better. Play with color tone and patterns they reflect for an even more creative light flow at home giving the place a personal touch that works wonders. Mirrors add a dimension to your home keeping the eye subtly satisfied.

• Mix everything up, there are no rules
Your home is, well, your home. It is supposed to show your personality and flair more than anything else. If that means a relic next to a modernist painting or a minimal wardrobe to your grandfather’s actual grandfather clock, it still works. It’s alright to mix things up and show off your personality if you think it works. Interior design is all about how you want the place to feel and if something is your comfort zone, let it be.

• Repurpose not run (to the store)
You will be surprised at what your potential is. No, not a life coach advice but an interior designer one. If you look around hard enough you will discover quirky and functional things you have from years of hoarding that you can repurpose to please your aesthetic as well as functional needs. Don’t run to the store when you probably already have all the things you need to fill up your cave.