Different Kinds of House Design & How to Make Them Your Own
You may not realize it, but the way you style your home says a lot about you. Whether you're a purveyor of fine art or prefer your walls to be adorned with family photos, the way you decorate your living space speaks volumes about you... And just like fashion, home décor trends come and go, and your personal house style may change with it; so knowing what you're trying to achieve before you start, can save you both time and money down the line.
In a world full of so many different house styles, it can be tricky to understand the distinct characteristics of each, and further challenging to narrow down your own home's architectural style to see what fits it, and your own taste, best. Are you farmhouse chic or sleek and modern? Perhaps you're looking to create a bespoke unique look, or maybe you're looking for something a little more traditional. That's why we've put together this simple guide to highlight some popular house styles and house design ideas, and how to implement them.
Mid-Century Modern
Mid-century modern was an American design movement that created a popular house style in the post–World War II period. This design is characterized by clean lines, simple shapes, organic influences, and an emphasis on function; perhaps most importantly though, it is a concept that is designed for everybody. The traditional midcentury palette ranged from bright hues in the 1950s to earthy colours in the 1960s, so this style works with many different shades, which is helpful if you're not looking to make too big a change.
If you're in a position to splurge, furniture like an Eames chair or a Saarinen table are investable pieces that will never go out of style. If you're not ready to splurge, this look can be achievable with smaller decorative objects, like lamps or trays that use geometric patterns, which were popular during that era.
Photo from: housingunits
This gorgeous Bust in Glass Cloche is the perfect way to add a touch of modern, yet, vintage elegance to your home décor.
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Try playing with height as well. If you have a high coffee table and sofa, try a smaller table lamp to complete the space. Because this style was designed for everybody, it can work well to mix it with pieces from other periods as well. With these elements in place, you'll have friends thinking they've stepped into a Mad Men episode in no time.
Sleek and Modern
If modern-style homes are what you are after, then perhaps minimalism with a touch of contemporary, and a dash of sleek and modern, are for you. Early modern architectural style examples are said to use new construction materials. Many contemporary-style homes feature lots of glass, open floor plans, and inventive designs. This internationally inspired style of architecture encourages key features like large open living spaces with glass accommodations, unornamented walls, and lots of natural light. This trend focuses on clean lines and uncluttered surfaces—think all white everything with pops of black here and there.
To achieve this contemporary home look in *your* house style, we recommend Marie Kondo-ing, and clearing your clutter to reduce your items to only those that *spark joy*. We know this may seem scary at first, but removing clutter from surfaces like coffee tables, bedside tables, and dressers will immediately make smaller rooms feel larger.
This chic & versatile Marble & Acrylic Book Stand, with its clean lines and luxurious design, can complement both minimalist and maximalist settings alike (launching soon!).
Next, invest in some high-quality pieces that are both stylish and functional, like the book stand displayed above. Finally, add in some personal touches like family photos or artwork to make your space feel like your own. Just because you are looking for something sleek and modern, does not mean you can't incorporate personal choices and bold choices. Using a statement colour, fabric, or texture, in either one room or multiple rooms, can help in styling to make this design trend your own and can add a cohesiveness that will tie the separate rooms to the whole house.
Ranch Style/Farmhouse Chic
In the past, the ranch and farmhouse house style was only found in the country, however, it has become such a popular home style now, that you can find them mixed in with suburban-style homes and even some in more urban areas too.
Characteristics you will find specific to ranch-style home design, usually consist of single-story homes, with low-pitched roofs, sliding glass doors, large windows, and areas that encourage outdoor living. Ranch houses tend to benefit from wide open, efficient, floor plans, so families can enjoy their living spaces. Previously, ranch-style homes were built on large plots of land, which lent themselves well to indoor-outdoor living. Although they might appear plain or cookie-cutter on the outside, their simplicity actually makes them a great option for potential additions to your home.
When looking at different types of home architectural styles you might notice a couple of similarities between ranch-style houses and farmhouses, such as a devoted patio area, a large footprint, and a nice open living spaces. The popular farmhouse style house evolved from the ranch house style, and combines key features like rustic charm with a modern sensibility—think exposed beams and shiplap walls paired with sleek countertops and stainless steel appliances. Unlike its ranch brother, the farmhouse style features a more storybook character, steep roof pitches, arched doors, cross gables, casement windows holding small panes, and stone or brick siding.
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But you don't need to have a barn to get the look. To incorporate this look into your home, start with natural materials like wood and/or stone, or glass works nicely as well. Next, add in some statement-making pieces, they can be big pieces of furniture, or smaller decor accents, like using mason jars for vases or adorning your bar with them as drinking glasses. Mason jars can also make great and sustainable tupperware for those who like to bring their lunch, or snacks, to work with them.
Additionally, vintage-style light fixtures, sliding barn doors, new hardware, and/or wall accents can work to achieve these house styles. Finally, don't forget the finishing touches like floral arrangements and cosy throws. With a little bit of creativity, you can easily achieve this popular look.
Boho/Bohemian
For those who prefer a more free-flowing and relaxed design style, boho may be the way to go. The bohemian style is all about freedom and self-expression. This trend is characterized by bold colors, eclectic prints, and a mix-and-match approach to furniture and decor. To get the look, start with some key pieces like a sofa, chairs, and coffee table. Then, add in some accents like lamps, end tables, bookshelves and plants—real preferably, but good quality fake work too, it's your choice. We love incorporating natural materials and colours to achieve this look, a terracotta, ceramic, or pottery-made vase in a neutral colour usually does the trick. Next, incorporate some handcrafted elements like macramé wall hangings or woven rugs or pillow covers. You can also add in some ethnic-inspired prints and patterns, like ikat or batik. Finally, personalize your space with family photos or artwork, this is always a key feature, regardless of your aesthetic.
These Trendy Vases are made from Terracotta with a contemporary pattern are real eye-catchers, stay tuned for their launch...
For furniture, look for pieces that are eclectic and have a bit of a vintage feel. Boho style is all about layering different elements to create a one-of-a-kind look. Don't be afraid to go for more of a craftsman style here, and opt for handmade over mass-market on certain choices (budget dependent of course). Feel free to mix and match different pillows, throws, and blankets to create a cozy and inviting space; don't go overboard though, you don't want to give your self a headache during your Netflix time. We recommend a neutral colour palette to keep it feeling clean if you plan on mixing textures. With a little bit of creativity, this is an easily achievable popular trend.
Traditional
For those who prefer a more classic look, traditional style is the way to go. A classic traditional home usually has the kitchen and family room on the first floor and the bedrooms on the second floor, and can usually be easy to add onto if you're thinking about growing your space. This is not to say those who live in apartment buildings cannot participate in this style, it is more to show that there is a separation between the functional uses of the rooms.
This house style is all about creating a warm and inviting space that feels familiar, like home. It does not come from a specific period and is instead timeless... it's more of a feeling and mood. A traditional house style can be thought of as the little black dress of house styles, it never goes out of fashion, looks great anywhere and makes you feel at home without being overly fussy. It feels familiar over groundbreaking.
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To achieve this look, start with some key features like hardwood floors and wood beams. Add in some plush furniture, maybe upholstered, and rich fabrics, like sumptuous rugs. Feel free to juxtapose them with smaller contrasting colours, textures, and materials, like the candleholder above to really tie the aesthetic together. For a final touch, add in some personal details like family photos or displayed heirlooms. These final touches will help make your space feel like your own and will be sure to impress and invite any guest.
Retro/Art Deco
Looking to add a bit of nostalgia to your home? Then you may want to consider the retro trend. This style is all about capturing the feeling of bygone eras, like the 1920s - 1930s and 1950s - 1960s, depending on the aesthetic you're trying to achieve.
Despite its name, Art Deco was not limited to art. It was also a popular style for architecture, furniture, and even fashion. The style fell out of favour after World War II, but it has seen a resurgence in recent years... personally, we never think it went out of style. Art Deco was a reaction to the more ornate styles that were popular at the time, and it sought to create a more modern look.
It is characterized by its use of geometric shapes and patterns, as well as bold colours. To get the look, start by incorporating some vintage furniture pieces. You can find these at thrift stores, flea markets, or even online.
Next, add in some fun and funky prints and patterns, or try using bold colours. Think floral wallpaper or geometric-patterned fabrics. We would not recommend these in every room because it can become easily overwhelming, but instead, we find an accent wall or soft furnishings to work really well in most spaces. Another option could be to add Art Deco-inspired hardware to your furniture, these ideas help to create a seamless look without breaking the bank.
This Magazine Rack is the epitome of retro & style. With its naturally geometric pattern and polished finish, it will make a glamorous addition to any interior... stay tuned, baby.
Finally, the accessories: Toys like a chic dominos board, or records and record players, among other knick-knacks are essential for achieving that authentic retro feel.
No matter how you choose to incorporate the retro and/or Art Deco house styles into your home, if executed well, it is both timeless and modern and can be easily adapted to fit any taste...
Whatever approach you take, incorporating these house styles into your home is a great way to add some personality, style, and flair.
Victorian Homes
The Victorian era was a time of opulence and grandeur, and this is reflected in the Victorian style. As you may have guessed, this attractive name comes from none other than the 19th-century Queen Victoria of England.
There are several styles of houses (such as Queen Anne) that fall within the Victorian style. Often they featured, steeply pitched roofs, half-timbering, narrow windows, and distinctive cross gables. Homes of this era had interiors that were romantic, distinctive, and abundant in detail, from the patterns of their fabrics to their colours and textures. Ornate with verandas, turrets, and towers, expressively worked stone and wood, serve multiple rooms and functions.
This trend is characterized by rich colours, ornate details, and an overall feeling of luxury. To get the look, start with some key pieces like a plush sofa or an upholstered armchair. Then, add in some rich fabrics like velvet or brocade.
Our, Be My Guest: Lumière Candelabra, is the perfect baroque-style candelabra that will add a touch of period elegance to any dining table
If you're looking to splurge on larger purchases, lace curtains, hand crafted wood features, and a Victorian-style sofa or armchair can work really well. If you're someone who is just seeking a few accents, then consider adding doilies, vases, and framed artwork. For the finishing touches, try incorporate some luxurious fabrics like velvet or silk, or some unique details like tassels, fringe, or beading.
With only a few key elements, you can easily achieve this popular trend.
Colonial Style
Colonial-style houses were built by early settlers in the US from Europe using materials that were available locally, in a style that was familiar to them. This house design dates back to 1876, and was one of the most popular house styles in America during its time, and still holds true today.
Colonial-style homes typically have two and three stories, wood or brick facades, and fireplaces. The family rooms and kitchen are typically on the first floor while the bedrooms are located on the upper floors. This type of home is known for its large, symmetrical shape, and its central entrance, and often benefits from porches or balconies on the second level.
Other benefits of choosing colonial-style homes are that they are very spacious, and tend to be very durable and long-lasting, due to their materials, which include stone, brick or wood facades. If this is the house style you currently have, you could consider a fresh finish with white paint and natural wood stains. If you're wanting to create a more modern look, we recommend considering black or grey paint.
When it comes to choosing the right materials and finishes for your home, it is important to keep in mind the overall aesthetic that you are trying to achieve. You should also consider your budget and the level of maintenance that you are willing to do. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find the perfect materials and finishes for your colonial-style home.
If you are looking to splurge but lack the space for a porch or balcony on your own property, you can still add elements of the colonial style by installing large windows and using symmetry in your home’s design.
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For those looking for a more accessible budget, furniture and décor that reflect the colonial era can be incorporated by using simple and clean designs. Some accents include softer - meaning in colour, material, and texture - rugs, throws, and pillows; they can be used to add colour, texture, and pattern to a room. Rugs can be used to define a space, while throws and pillows can be used to add comfort and style. Because these items are so versatile, you should be able to find something that fits your unique style.
Key Takeaways
Bottom line, landing the home of your dreams can be difficult, so knowing what home style fits you best before you start your search can help you make smart- time-saving- decisions.
You will often see elements of different house styles combined in one home. It's a product of one era moving into another while retaining some features of the previous period, and it can easily be adapted to your design scheme too. Although you should avoid a hodgepodge of house styles, you can alter a particular style to make it feel your own.
Whether you are using this as a guide for ideas to create a bespoke look, or you are hiring professional designers and are seeking some background in styling; these tips will give you the tools and the confidence to put your best foot forward to help you showcase your own unique interior design.
The most important thing when creating is to have fun while doing it and not take the process too seriously – your home should be a reflection of you and nobody knows you better than you. So get creative, mix and match, and most importantly, enjoy the process! Check back in for more interior design tips and tag us @curatedhomeuk, we'd love to see what you're working on.