Define Your Style, Then Define Your Space

An introduction to interior decor

Warm and casual or sleek and modern? Classic or trendy? Minimalist or ornate? When decorating your home, it's best to first identify your personal style and then design around that aesthetic. Filling your home with styles, colors, and textures that are pleasing to you will in turn create a space that is comfortable and comforting to live in.

If you're decorating a room, whether it's furnishing and accessorizing a newly built home or changing up the look of a space you've lived in for years, you've no doubt heard terms like traditional, contemporary, Shaker, Mission, or cottage to describe various decor styles. Understanding the characteristics of each styles, as well as how those traits mesh with your personal preferences, is the key to creating a comfortable living space.

Traditional vs. Contemporary
The broadest of style categories, traditional and contemporary decor are good indicators of general style but should be narrowed down to be truly distinct.

Somewhere between casual and formal decor lies traditional style interiors. Order, symmetry, and the contrast of straight lines and curved accents are common characteristics of traditional furniture and decor. Colors are generally muted and fabrics are neither too shiny nor too textured.

Contemporary style, on the other hand, is marked by straight lines, bold colors, and unique furniture arrangements. While traditional decor emphasizes calm and comfort, contemporary styles aim more for edgy, stark designs.

Shaker/Mission
Traditional in the strictest sense of the word, furniture in Shaker or Mission styles is easily recognizable by its clean lines and complete lack of ornamentation. In fact, Shaker Millennial Law forbade the use of decorative elements such as beading and molding in the design of homes and furniture.

What Shaker and Mission furniture lacks in ornate embellishments is made up for in its outstanding craftsmanship. These styles are known for fine handiwork and gorgeous woods, resulting in durable, distinctive furniture perfect for any traditional decor.

Cottage
Decor that favors casual warmth and welcoming comfort, cottage style is like a romantic, fairy tale version of your grandmother's kitchen. Soft colors, floral fabrics, and painted finishes are often found in cottage style decor. A modern twist on cottage style, shabby chic, finds harmony in contrasts. For example, a dining room table paired with mismatched chairs in antiqued or peeling finishes provides a white-hot look for those daring enough to try it.