The main furnishing styles and how to distinguish them

The main furnishing styles are easily recognizable in the most elegant decorations, but many times they are very easily confused with each other. How does the classic style differ from the retro one or how do you distinguish a modern furniture from a Scandinavian one? Read on and find out what the main design styles are and how to distinguish them!

Before furnishing your home, it is good to have some basic knowledge about interior design. Starting from a few simple principles you can easily design the image of the final decoration.

Each furniture style has some distinctive characteristics that give it authenticity and differentiate it from the rest. If you know these characteristics, it will be very easy for you to distinguish the main furnishing styles and you will know based on which criteria to choose the most suitable one for your home.

What are the main design styles?

1. Classic style

The classic style is perhaps one of the most frequently approached furnishing styles. Whether you scrupulously follow the compositional rules of a classic style piece of furniture, whether you reinterpret it or personalize it, one thing is certain: it is made to stay.

When we talk about classic style we are not talking about trends or what is in vogue at a given moment, but we are talking about furnishing principles that will remain current despite the passing of the years.

This design style is based on proportion AND symmetryso that the entire decoration is in perfect balance. The furniture is arranged around a central point of interest. This point of interest can be a fireplace, a double bed with an impressive headboard or even a solid dining room table.

The classic style is easily recognizable thanks to the natural materials used for the furniture, the most common choice is solid wood. It stands out for the meticulous details set in the material, but also for its elegant shapes or special handles and accessories.

Furthermore, always in a classic style, you will find furniture with coverings made of fine fabrics. The materials are luxurious, with a special look. A suitable example for such material is velvet.

2. Retro style

At the opposite pole of the order and symmetry of the classic style, there is the retro style, which is defined through imagination and creativity. The furniture featured in a retro decor is often “mismatched”, without needing to be part of the same collection. Sometimes not even from the same period. Each one is different from the other, but they fit together perfectly. For example, you can pair a floral upholstered sofa with a solid wood table found at a vintage fair.

The charm of this furnishing style is given by the upholstery with graphic prints, the lack of a strictly imposed set of patterns and the lack of a predefined color palette. To create a retro style decoration you don’t have to be afraid of strong, even bright colours. Shades of pink, purple or mint green are often found in retro-style furnishings.

The decor is unusual, with straight lines and shiny surfaces. The materials used to make the furniture are atypical. The periods of progress of the 1960s allowed the use of materials such as rubber, plastic or glass for the production of furniture. Precisely for this reason plastic chairs are a distinctive feature of the retro style in interior design.

3. The shabby chic sty

The shabby chic style is similar, in some respects, to the retro furnishing style. The main difference between the two, however, is that the shabby chic style has several characteristics that denote refinement and femininity in an environment.

The furniture is made of wood and most often has a white, slightly antiqued finish. The furnishings are completed by coverings with floral prints or pastel colours. Emphasis is also placed on decorations. They have a vintage feel, but give the impression of elegance and opulence. The shabby chic style, as the name suggests, is considered rather chic than trendy. Despite this, due to its charm and ease, it still remains a popular choice among interior design enthusiasts.

4. Modern style

Modern style is associated with order, cleanliness and the lack of unnecessary accessories. It is defined by utility, each piece of furniture has a well-defined role. The space of a room is maximized, emphasizing an airy decoration. The creation of a crowded decoration is avoided, maintaining a few central elements that are striking through an unusual and unconventional design.

In addition to wood, furniture can also be made with glass, steel or metal elements. In the appearance of the furniture, clean and clear lines are followed, which denote elegance. However, the elegance of the modern style differs from the elegance of the classic style. If the second is made by the order and symmetry of the decoration, the first is made by the minimalist appearance and the avant-garde design furniture.

5. Scandinavian style

Strongly popular in recent years, the Scandinavian style follows the principles of the modern decoration style, to which is added an important characteristic: comfort and a warm and welcoming atmosphere, which must be conveyed through decoration.

The key to success for a Scandinavian style is minimalism, the use of quality and very practical furniture and maintaining a neutral color palette. Without a doubt, white will dominate in a Scandinavian decor. But even spots of color are not excluded, which can often be represented by accessories or decorative objects.

Another important and decisive aspect for the Scandinavian style is light. The furniture should be bright, so that the living space seems larger and more airy. In addition to natural light, artificial light also plays an important role, which is why particular importance must be given to bright objects when furnishing a room in Scandinavian style.

In conclusion, these are the main furnishing styles. Each has a special charm and is decisive for a certain period or, on the contrary, timeless, like the classic style. Tell us in a comment which furnishing style you prefer for your home!

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