What Design Style Are You?

With the numerous design shows all over TV, I'm sure you've heard about many different design styles like Arts & Crafts, Contemporary, and Traditional.  And you may have an idea of some of the main design elements in the more popular ones.  But could you tell the difference between French Country and Americana?  How about Contemporary and Modern?  Let's take a look at some common design styles. Then you can determine which style suits you best when you go to describe your property or when you're looking for you next home.

Traditional

Likely the most popular home design style in America, Traditional Design brings the warmth and elegance of the past into the present.

Common Characteristics:  The shapes in this style setting are typically very graceful. Curving lines are very common. Furniture is often constructed of dark wood and finely crafted detail. Think Queen Anne style table legs and rolled sofa arms, for example. Oh, and sofas with arched backs..very traditional, too. There is often a sense of balance and symmetry of furnishings and decorative elements. 

Architetural Details:  Decorative features like crown moldings, paneling, and chair rails are commonly found in the Traditional style.  Again, symmetry of the home features such as a centered fireplace flanked by windows one either side.

Adapting the Style:  Traditional style can be adapted to a more eclectic and up-to-date feel by mixing in some fabrics and accessory items of other styles. This should be coordinated, but not necessarily strictly matched, to the rest of the scheme.

Contemporary

Clean lines, simplicity, and functionality are the main elements of Contemporary Design. 

Common Characteristics:  The overall look features straight lines, sharp angles, and shiny surfaces; not much fancy flair, so don't expect ruffles or florals.  Furnishings often have exposed legs and sit low to the ground.   Open space and sparse accessories dominate this minimal design style.  Bright lighting plays an important role, with accent lights emphasizing accessories or abstract artwork.  Often a black and white color scheme but pops of color are also used.  Texture is very important as seen in smooth glass surfaces, jute rugs, and incorporation of wood elements.

Architectural Details:  Think urban and industrial lofts.  Again, clean lines often with little embellishment. 

Adapting the Style:  Contemporary adapts well to other styles that use more geometrical patterns, and can easily translate into an eclectic style.

Modern

While Contemporary Design is considered the architecture of the moment, Modern Design is an older design style that was introduced in the early to mid- 20th century to combat the overly styled designs of the Victorian age. 

Common Characteristics:  Absence of ornament, structures of steel or concrete, industrial feeling stemming from the machine age.  .  Asymmetry and open floor plans.

Architectural Details:  Squared off, large expanses of glass and whitewashed stucco, strong horizontal lines, corner windows, industrial look.

Adapting the style:  Modern can easily be adapted to a contemporary style with some color and softening elements.

Arts & Crafts

Fine craftsmanship of furniture and architecture, with an emphasis on wood typifies the Arts & Crafts Design Style.

Common Characteristics:  Arts and Crafts interior elements feature prominent straight lines and a lack of excessive embellishment seen in some other traditional and classic styles. The careful craftsmanship of materials often provides a hint of native culture, particularly in the Mission Style variation which gives a nod to Spanish influence.  Geometric forms of stained glass-like mica establish a strong sense of Arts and Crafts when used for lamp shades, windows or panel inserts in cabinetry.

Architectural Details:  Homes built with wood, stone and brick, many in the bungalow style.  Front porches with square or tapered columns and low pitched roofs.  Built-ins, including furniture, dominant fireplace, exposed beams and open floor plan.

Adapting the Style:  Many homes today incorporate some arts & crafts elements into their design.  Mission style furnishings are very popular.  Keep the emphasis on function and wood, and away from curved and fancy.

American Country

American Country design style is all about bringing forth thoughts of simple, down home American comfort.  The emphasis is on natural materials, handcrafted features and time-worn charm.

Common Characteristics:  Tactile surfaces of wood, wicker weaving, wrought iron, stone, pottery, tin and other natural or earthy materials work well and provide great visual texture as well.  Wood floors, beadboard, curtains, comfortable furnishings, and incorporation of antiques.

Architectural elements:  Think two-story farmhouses with tall, double-hung windows, large eat-in kitchens and front porches.

Adapting the Style:  County is very versatile.  Use more rough-hewn materials of stone and wood to move in a more rustic style.  Add elements of classic American icons like the flag and red/white/blue to move in a more Americana style.

French Country

The look is casual but luxurious and full of color.  Borrowed from the south of France, this style is old-world, elegant but fuss free.

Common Characteristics:  Colorful, elegant, wallpaper, natural materials intermixed with old-world pieces (like a chandelier).   Furnishings often have a rustic, distressed painted look, and the wood commonly contains carved details.  Utilizes natural elements such as stone textures, wood, or rattan.   Fabrics are often made from natural materials, such as linens, cottons, and wools. Toile, a French Country fabric that illustrates repeated patterns of pastoral scenes or flower arrangements, is popular.  And roosters.  Roosters are the quintessential french country fixture.

Architectural Details:  Common elements include tall, thin windows, often with slat-board shutters, steep roofs, multiple gables, and assorted arches. Exterior is typically a mixture of stucco and stone, or brick and stone, trimmed with painted timbers, windows boxes, wrought iron railings and brick or stone highlights around windows and doors.

Adapting the Style:  French country can easily adapt to American Country or be a blend of the two.  It also lends itself to a cottage style very easily.


There are many more design styles that are variations on the ones mentioned here:  Classical, Asian, Art Deco, Rustic, Southwestern, Tuscan, Swedish, Eclectic...the list goes on and on.  Whatever your style, embrace it and enjoy it!

Sources:  Realtor Magazine, Interior Design Tutor.net, HGTV.com,