Almost every year, a new home decorating trend pops up and along with that arrive color palettes specific to that trend. I can barely keep up with all of the styles. When I searched online for "list of interior design styles," results were anywhere from 10 to 40 plus!
Well, this post is only going to cover 11 of them, but I'm also providing you with color palettes that correspond to each of the interior design styles. If you were struggling with choosing a palette for your favorite design style, hopefully, this post will help. Of course, you can tweak each of these to your own taste.
The styles I've included in this post are:
- Bohemian
- Cottage Core
- Eclectic
- Farmhouse
- French Country
- Grandmillennial or Granny Chic
- Maximalism
- Mid Century Modern
- Scandinavian
- Traditional
- Transitional
Bohemian
Bohemian design is a free-spirited aesthetic. It mixes different cultures and artistic expressions into an eclectic approach.
Bohemian Color Palette
Earthy tones like brown, green, and terracotta are used but some palettes will be made up of jewel tones like deep blues, purples, and oranges.
Photo by Nasim Keshmiri of unsplash
Cottage Core
Cottage Core celebrates simple living and a lifestyle rooted in traditional skills — like baking bread, gardening, and sewing your own clothes. It's a cozy and "lived-in" aesthetic.
Cottage Core Color Palette
Soft, muted and earthy colors like sage green or buttery yellow
Photo by Shashi Chaturvedula, Unsplash
Eclectic
The eclectic interior design style uses elements from various styles, periods, and cultures to create a unique space. It's characterized by mixing old and new, combining different colors, textures, and patterns, and incorporating culturally and ethnically significant pieces.
Eclectic Color Palette
Eclectic design uses:
- Rich jewel tones
- Earthy Hues: Deep blues, emerald greens, burnt orange, and mustard yellow add depth.
- Neutrals as a Base: White, beige, or charcoal
- Pops of color
Photo by Nasim Keshmiri of unsplash
Farmhouse
Farmhouse style blends rustic, vintage, and modern elements to create a cozy and practical living space.
Farmhouse Color Palette
A base of light, neutral colors like white, cream, and gray is common, often with warm wood tones and earthy accent colors like sage green or navy blue.
Photo by Clay Banks, Unsplash
French Country
French country mixes rustic and refined elements inspired by homes in the French countryside.
French Country Color Palette
Colors of this style can be found on the warm side of the color wheel with hues that have medium to low intensity. Colors are less saturated in a French Country palette. Less saturated means more muted, faded, or washed out
Photo by hello aesthe
Grandmillennial or Granny Chic
This style is expressed through traditional, ornate, and embellished details, such as intricately curved furniture and frilly pillows along with a few sleek pieces of contemporary art and furnishings. Floral patterns and grandmillennial go hand-in-hand.
Grandmillenial Color Palette
Vivid color is important here so you'll see shades of blue, green, yellow, pink, even purple. Tastefully applied, of course. The grand millennial style is all about mixing patterns, fabrics, and colors.
Photo by Max Ho, Unsplash
Maximalism
The style uses strong, vibrant colors to create visual energy and excitement.
You'll see combinations of different patterns, a variety of materials and textures, displays of personal items, artwork, books, and travel souvenirs that tell a story and express individuality, and a large quantity of decorative items.
Maximalist Color Palette
Bold and vibrant colors are the way to achieve maximalist vibes. Cheerful colors are common.
Photo by Steph Wilson, Unsplash
Mid-century Modern (MCM)
MCM is characterized by clean lines, irregular free-flowing shapes inspired by nature, and a strong element of functionality. It emphasizes the use of both natural materials like wood and man-made materials like plastic
Mid Century Modern Color Palette
An MCM color palette will include a mix of neutral and bold colors.
Photo by Stephen Leonardi, Pexels
Scandinavian
Scandinavian style is a broad category that includes styles specific to Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Overall, it's simple, light, airy, and organic.
Scandinavian Color Palette
Traditional
Traditional design is all about formality and grandeur with ornate detailing and rich fabrics.
Traditional Color Palette
The traditional color palette includes a balanced mix of muted neutrals, classic primary and secondary colors, or deep, rich hues.
Photo by Goodlot Dupwa
Transitional
Transitional decor takes inspiration from a range of styles, including Traditional, Modern, Midcentury, Farmhouse, and more. But it's polished and coordinated, updated and timeless, and not trendy or overdone.
Transitional Color Palette
This style uses neutral colors to create a fresh but classic look that works in almost any home.
Photo courtesy of rawpixel
Quick Tips For Choosing a Color Palette
- Select 3 to 5 Colors: Aim for three to five colors for a cohesive palette. Follow the 60-30-10 rule when using your color palette throughout each room. The dominant color should take up 60% of the space, a secondary, or secondary colors take up 30%, and the accent colors take up 10%.
- Choose 2 Main Colors: Two of the colors will be the dominant colors in the room.
- Don't Forget to Use Neutrals: Neutrals will help ground the other colors and enhance them.
- Pick Accent Colors: Use the accent colors as pops of color in your space. Pillows, throws and decorative objects should include your accent colors.
Make it Yours
Half the fun of selecting a color palette is choosing your favorite color or a color that you absolutely want to use as a starting point and then going from there. If you don't have a favorite color, you can choose one from a painting you own or a cherished pillow or throw blanket.
For an excellent article on how to choose a color palette for your home see this article on Nero.
Happy decorating!
Main image courtesy of Andy Brown, Unsplash