Home Staging Help: 18 Interior Design Styles Defined

A Quick Study Session Could Help You Stage to Success

Thoughtful and professional home staging has become a critical step in the home transaction process. Despite this fact, interior design can still prove intimidating for agents at all stages of their careers. But by simply studying up on a few different home design styles, you can cut back on the amount of necessary guesswork while maximizing your listings’ appeal.

Why Is Home Staging Important?

The National Association of REALTORSⓇ (NAR) has found that home staging had an effect on buyers’ perception more than half the time, with 82% of buyers’ agents reporting that staging made it easier for their client to visualize the space as their future home. Agents in the same demographic also found that effective home staging increased their client’s offer by 1-5%, as compared to similar homes without staging.

Of course, home staging impacts the seller’s side as well. A sizable 31% of these agents reported staging all of their clients’ homes before listing them. Nearly a quarter then saw 1-5% increases in offer amounts as compared to similar homes. Plus, 22% reported slight decreases in time on market after staging.

If you’re officially sold on staging, read on to discover the design styles you need to know.

Which Home Design Styles Are Most Popular?

While the overall goal of home staging is to turn the listing into a blank slate, each unique market still has its own preferences and tendencies in terms of aesthetics. As a jumping-off point, consider the most popular home decor style in your state:

• Alabama: Shabby Chic

• Alaska: Industrial

• Arizona: French Country

• Arkansas: Industrial

• California: Hollywood Regency

• Colorado: Asian Zen

• Connecticut: Vintage

• D.C.: Transitional

• Delaware: Bohemian

• Florida: Coastal

• Georgia: Rustic

• Hawaii: Minimalist

• Idaho: Modern Country

• Illinois: Industrial

• Indiana: Rustic

• Iowa: Rustic

• Kansas: Vintage

• Kentucky: Rustic

• Louisiana: Industrial

• Maine: Victorian

• Maryland: Shabby Chic

• Massachusetts: Shabby Chic

• Michigan: Industrial

• Minnesota: Mid-Century Modern

• Mississippi: Shabby Chic

• Missouri: Mid-Century Modern

• Montana: Industrial

• Nebraska: Art Deco

• Nevada: Art Deco

• New Hampshire: Industrial

• New Jersey: Mid-Century Modern

• New Mexico: Minimalist

• New York: Urban Modern

• North Carolina: Industrial

• North Dakota: Industrial

• Ohio: Industrial

• Oklahoma: Vintage

• Oregon: Minimalist

• Pennsylvania: Vintage

• Rhode Island: Minimalist

• South Carolina: Coastal

• South Dakota: Traditional

• Tennessee: Urban Modern

• Texas: Vintage

• Utah: Industrial

• Vermont: Vintage

• Virginia: Mid-Century Modern

• Washington: Eclectic

• West Virginia: Shabby Chic

• Wisconsin: Urban Modern

• Wyoming: Industrial

Interior Design Styles Defined

If you’re having trouble distinguishing between Shabby Chic and just plain shabby, we can help. Here are descriptions of some of the most popular home design styles of recent years:

Art Deco

Arts Décoratifs, or Art Deco for short, is a bold, glamorous style reminiscent of the early 1900s. Think Gatsby-esque opulence, complete with rich tones and ornate detailing. You can easily infuse some Art Deco personality by adding animal print accents or sunburst-shaped elements.

Asian Zen

This particular style is centered around building a sense of calm, balance, and harmony throughout the home. It is organized around traditional Asian design principles, which call for natural elements, minimalism, and a primarily neutral color palette. To evoke Asian Zen style, thoroughly declutter your listings, source furniture and textiles made from natural materials, and bring in plenty of greenery.

Bohemian

Bohemian style, or that inspired by art, culture, and eclecticism, has quickly gained popularity in recent years. This aesthetic relies on bold color and pattern, pre-loved furniture and accent pieces, and the ideal balance of purpose and randomness. Sounds simple, right?

If you’re going for a boho look, begin by incorporating rich earthy tones, lived-in fabrics, and vintage furnishings. Then, achieve just the right amount of juxtaposition with a few modern, high-end finishes.

Coastal

Coastal design, as its name suggests, celebrates everything sand and sea. The goal is to evoke a relaxed afternoon on the beach by maximizing natural light, relying on a nature-inspired color palette, and layering in natural textiles. As opposed to more literal depictions of beach life, like seashells or anchor motifs, coastal decor might consist of tasteful shiplap details, slipcovered furniture, and natural jute rugs.

Eclectic

As you may have guessed, almost anything goes when it comes to Eclectic design. This aesthetic transcends period lines, combining an array of different shapes, styles, and colors. The result? An entirely unique space full of character, personality, and charm.

To appeal to buyers interested in Eclectic design, consider mixing patterns, marrying old and new, and repurposing decor. For example, maybe a vintage trunk as a coffee table?

French Country

This design style mimics the refined rusticness of a chateau in, you guessed it, the French countryside. The aesthetic is characterized by an abundance of wooden materials, soft, muted colors, and visibly age-worn furniture and accessories. To pull this look off in practice, consider employing toile, plush, cozy upholstery, and even chalk-painted furniture.

Hollywood Regency

Hollywood Regency style is, in a word, glam. This aesthetic practically requires maximalism in furnishings and a playfulness in the overall design. Think bold patterns, metallic accents, and an air of modernity.

Industrial

Industrial style is the epitome of urban living. Think open floor plans, exposed brick walls, and uncovered beams or ductwork à la Jess Day. If you’re looking to quickly industrialize a listing, though, you can certainly take some smaller steps. Consider incorporating darker colors, salvaged or raw materials, and metal finishes (like steel, copper, or brass). Potential buyers are sure to be transported to the nearest major city, even if it’s miles away.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern style evokes design trends primarily from the mid-20th century. Furniture is sleek, simple, and decidedly contemporary while rich color tends to appear primarily as bold accents. In practice, this might mean pulling in teak furniture, stocking a quirky bar cart, and overall prioritizing functionality.

Minimalist

Of course, Minimalist design seeks to cut down on “stuff”, excess, or sheer clutter. The style strips a space down to its core functionality and prioritizes simplicity to the point of elegance. To achieve this seemingly effortless style, consider dialing up your organization, removing any unnecessary elements, and sticking to a soft, refined color palette.

Modern Country

Similar to French Country, Modern Country plays on rural design trends but with a more contemporary feel. This trend champions natural influences, imperfection, and coziness. Think warm wood, tasteful fur accessories, and, if you’re lucky, a perfectly-worn farmhouse table.

Rustic

In a similar vein, Rustic style leans heavily on warm, traditional touches. Colors are typically neutral, while rough building materials add texture. From worn textiles to deep, rich wood, these rooms exemplify warmth. Think cozy cabin lost in the woods!

Shabby Chic

Shabby Chic style marries romanticism and glamor, and can prove a subtler alternative to Art Deco or Hollywood Regency. Floral patterns, distressed furniture, and tasteful ruffles are a must. Pastels, vintage furniture, and charmingly ornate details will then complete the look.

Traditional

Traditional design is characterized less by what it is than what it is not. This style isn’t tied to a particular look, trend, or time period. Instead, it is virtually timeless, embodying all the classic home trends throughout history. Architectural interest, Old World-inspired elements, and neutral, mass appeal can often be found in traditional interiors.

Transitional

Similar to Traditional stylings, Transitional design also feels effortlessly timeless. This style bridges the gap between Traditional and Modern, bringing out the best of each aesthetic. Transitional rooms are a bit more updated than their Traditional counterparts, with modern finishes and materials breathing new life into vintage furniture or accents. Think classic colors, a few purposeful accessories, and the ideal balance of old and new.

Urban Modern

Urban Modern might be considered a more refined version of Industrial design. It similarly leans into rough materials and city-dwelling spaciousness, but takes an elevated, contemporary approach. High ceilings, plenty of natural light, and distinctively modern architecture can all help you achieve this look.

Victorian

From ornate furniture to jewel toned upholstery, Victorian design is wholly reminiscent of the 19th century. The style is made up of many different subsects, from Gothic Revival to Neoclassic, but it always exudes antique, European flair. While historic homes may lend themselves best to Victorian style, wall art, architectural details, and furniture can all add interest to even the most modern of spaces.

Vintage

Vintage interior design can be difficult to nail down, as it can often coincide with other design styles. It primarily takes inspiration from the past, forgoing modern features for those with a bit more character. Subtle color schemes make preloved furnishings the star of the show, and recycled materials are king. The results tend to be warm, textured, and inviting.

Power to the Stagers

Whether local buyers are after a French Country-inspired chateau or a Mid-Century Modern mansion, any agent can infuse their listings with style. Simply study up on these interior design styles and stage to success!