Interior design styles: a guide to 8 popular looks
Scandinavian, Japandi, mid-century modern and more — the defining colours, materials and key pieces of eight popular interior design styles, and how to choose one for your room.
By the True Decorate team · Updated
An interior design style is a consistent set of colours, materials and furniture shapes that makes a room feel like it belongs together. The eight most popular styles for homes today are Scandinavian, Japandi, mid-century modern, minimalist, industrial, bohemian, coastal and modern farmhouse. The quickest way to choose is to compare their palettes and materials, then try one on your own room.
The 8 styles at a glance
| Style | Colour palette | Key materials | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scandinavian | White, pale grey, soft pastels | Light oak, wool, linen | Bright, cosy, practical |
| Japandi | Warm neutrals, clay, charcoal | Dark and light wood, paper, stone | Calm, ordered, grounded |
| Mid-century modern | Teak, mustard, olive, teal | Walnut, teak, leather, brass | Warm, graphic, retro |
| Minimalist | White, black, one neutral | Smooth plaster, glass, steel | Quiet, open, uncluttered |
| Industrial | Grey, black, rust, brick red | Exposed brick, metal, raw wood | Urban, raw, loft-like |
| Bohemian | Terracotta, ochre, jewel tones | Rattan, jute, patterned textiles | Layered, relaxed, collected |
| Coastal | White, sand, soft blue | Whitewashed wood, cotton, rope | Airy, light, breezy |
| Modern farmhouse | White, cream, black accents | Painted wood, shiplap, iron | Homely, rustic, clean |
Scandinavian
Scandinavian design is about light and comfort. Walls are white or pale grey to bounce daylight around, floors are light wood, and texture comes from wool throws, linen and sheepskin rather than pattern. Key pieces: a light oak dining table, a simple fabric sofa on tapered legs, paper or glass pendant lights, plenty of plants.
Japandi
Japandi blends Scandinavian comfort with Japanese restraint. Furniture sits lower, objects are fewer and more deliberate, and the palette moves warmer and earthier — clay, sand, charcoal. Mixing light and dark woods is typical. Key pieces: a low platform bed, a paper lantern, a dark wood sideboard, ceramic vases with a single stem.
Mid-century modern
Drawn from 1950s and 1960s design, mid-century modern combines warm wood with clean, graphic shapes. Expect tapered legs, curved forms and pops of mustard, olive or teal. Key pieces: a walnut or teak sideboard, a leather lounge chair, an arc floor lamp, a geometric rug.
Minimalist
Minimalism removes everything that is not essential. Surfaces are clear, storage is hidden, and the palette is limited to two or three colours. The result relies on proportion and good light. Key pieces: a streamlined sofa, a single statement light, handleless storage, one large artwork.
Industrial
Industrial style borrows from warehouses and lofts: exposed brick, metal frames, concrete and reclaimed wood. Dark tones are balanced by large windows and warm leather. Key pieces: a metal-framed shelving unit, a leather sofa, Edison-bulb pendants, a reclaimed wood dining table.
Bohemian
Bohemian rooms are layered and personal. Patterns are mixed freely, plants are everywhere, and furniture is often vintage or handmade. Key pieces: a rattan armchair, kilim or Moroccan rugs, floor cushions, macramé, trailing plants.
Coastal
Coastal style aims for the feeling of a beach house: airy, light and relaxed. Whites and sandy neutrals dominate, with soft blues and natural fibres. Key pieces: a slipcovered white sofa, a jute rug, whitewashed wood furniture, linen curtains.
Modern farmhouse
Modern farmhouse mixes rustic warmth with clean lines. Painted wood, shiplap and black iron accents meet simple, comfortable upholstery. Key pieces: a large wooden dining table, black metal light fittings, a deep linen sofa, open shelving with ceramics.
How to choose a style for your room
- Start with what stays. Floors, kitchen units and large furniture you are keeping narrow the field — orange-toned wood floors, for example, suit mid-century better than coastal.
- Match the light. Dark, north-facing rooms suit Scandinavian or coastal palettes; bright rooms can carry the darker woods of Japandi or industrial.
- Think about how you live. Minimalism is hard with young children; bohemian forgives clutter.
- Try it on your own room. The fastest test is seeing a style applied to your actual space. With an AI interior design tool you can redesign your room from a photo in several styles and compare them side by side — and in True Decorate, every piece in the result is a real product you can buy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Scandinavian and Japandi style?
Both are calm, natural and uncluttered. Scandinavian leans light and cosy, with pale woods, white walls and soft textiles. Japandi blends that with Japanese minimalism, adding darker woods, lower furniture, earthier tones and fewer, more deliberate objects.
How do I find my interior design style?
Save ten to fifteen rooms you like and look for what repeats: wood tone, colour temperature, how full the rooms are and the shapes of the furniture. The pattern usually points to one or two styles.
Can I mix two interior design styles?
Yes. Pick one main style for the large pieces and walls, then borrow accents from a second. Shared materials or a shared colour palette keep the mix feeling intentional.
Which interior design style suits a small room?
Scandinavian, Japandi and minimalist styles suit small rooms best. Light colours, raised legs on furniture and fewer, larger pieces make a space feel bigger.
Which interior design style is easiest to buy on a budget?
Scandinavian and minimalist looks are widely available from mainstream furniture stores, which makes them among the easiest to put together at a lower price.
