We love to personalize and fill any empty wall space with custom picture frames, no matter the design style.
When designing any interior space, it is important to consider the style you are after, as it can help make sure there is a cohesive look or feel. However, for a new-comer to interior design, it can be confusing to understand the different styles of design and can become overwhelming to truly make a space your own after chasing a certain style.
Our number one rule, though? There are no rules! When it comes to your space, whatever feels or looks right is perfect. It’s perfectly ok to mix and match, and we often find there are elements of a few different styles within the spaces we’re drawn to.
That being said, sometimes it’s helpful to at least have a starting place, so to help make this process easier we’ve put together some basic information on 10 of the most common interior design styles, along with our favorite picture frame recommendations!
1. Modern
Modern design style stems from decor of the early to mid-20th century and rejects preceding modern design styles which incorporated dramatic elements, heavy textures, and intricate ornamentation. Modern design style favors uncluttered spaces, clean and straight lines, with an overarching theme of functionality in each furnishing and accessory.
Additionally, open-concept floor plans, natural light, and neutral tones dominate a modern interior space. A feeling of simplicity, cleanliness, and openness is the goal with modern design.
Frame Styles:
In line with the simplistic, neutral tone of a modern interior space, our Derby frame is the perfect accessory for your modern wall space. Modern interior design often has the misconception of being cold or plain. However, picture frames allow you to truly personalize your modern design space with photographs or your favorite art!
Any neutral tone, including silver and white, will complete your modern design while allowing you to make the space feel like your own.
Another great frame style for modern design is a thinner metal, either our Hanover (rounded) or Ashford (flat/rectangular).
2. Traditional
Traditional interior design style is inspired by classic European decor that gained popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries. Elements of this style include: intricate tile and wooden floor patterns, wooden paneling and moldings, elegant furniture and antiques, a neutral palette with rich tones for furniture and accents.
Traditional design creates a calm, tidy space, that contains a sense of elegance and simplicity. In addition, symmetry is an important aspect of traditional interior decor, which further creates this orderly feel. Furnishings and accents should center on a focal point — usually a television, artwork, or fireplace — while furniture and accessories alike are often displayed in pairs.
Frame Styles:
Wood-style frames are great pieces for traditional interior design. These frames lend a warm, worn-in, yet simple vibe to your space. Use a large wooden frame as the centerpiece to your traditional designed space, or even consider going with a thinner metal frame in a larger gallery to add a bit of contrasting shine.
3. Minimalist
Minimalist interior design is all about simplicity. Elements of minimalist design include clean lines, a concise color palette, quality furnishings, and natural lighting, to create an air of sophistication and ease in your home. Accessories are used sparingly, in a “less is more” tactic, and complement the simplistic nature of a minimalist style design.
Much like the modern interior design, a minimalist design style will never go out of style!
Frame Styles:
Consider a thin and simple — yet dramatic — frame to complete any minimalist interior design project. If a frame is clean and sophisticated, it will be perfect for your minimalist space.
A white frame often makes for a super crisp and clean look to match the concise color palette of your minimalist interior design, though a thin black frame could do the same.
4. Rustic
Rustic interior design style emphasizes the rugged, natural beauty of a space. The design is simple, organic, and utilizes many raw materials like stone and unfinished wood. Therefore, rustic style rejects many aspects of modern design, such as clean or straight lines, geometric patterns, and bright, catchy accents. Instead, style your rustic space with antiques, leather, and wood, while utilizing warm color palettes.
Frame Styles:
Wood frames in almost any color are perfect for a rustic interior design. Derby offers various warm-colored wooden frames, such as Cherry, Wheat, or Hazel. Wood frames mesh well with rustic design as they match the utilization of stone and unfinished wood, while still personalizing the space with your photos or art.
If you’re looking for contrast with your existing wood elements, however, going with a metal frame could be a sleek accent to tie it all together.
5. Industrial
Often seen in modern homes, loft apartments, and commercial spaces, the industrial-style decor is widely regarded. The industrial design expresses neutral tones, wood, brick, and metal materials, and functional but tasteful furnishings.
Open and uncluttered, the industrial style incorporates the best of modern and rustic styles by mixing the old with the new. So vintage accessories and factory-like pieces complement industrial spaces: think distressed items, old photographs, or vintage light fixtures.
Frame Styles:
Any metal frames generally complement the industrial-style decor. They provide a sleek edge that truly meshes with vintage accessories or factory-like pieces of an industrial-style space.
In addition, wooden frame styles also look great with an industrial-style design when you’re going for a more organic look. Check out the difference between wood or metal frames to make the most informed decision when it’s time to complete your space!
6. Farmhouse
A classic farmhouse style is warm and full of character and charm. Pulling from rustic and traditional design, the farmhouse style utilizes natural materials, antiques, and a neutral palette with rich-colored accents. Furnishing and accessories are comfortable and practical, with a mix of vintage furniture.
On the other hand, modern farmhouse design takes the comfortable farmhouse style and adds modern and industrial touches. Less rustic and more sophisticated, the modern farmhouse adds elements like straight lines, metallic accents, and rich colors.
Shabby chic style is also generally associated with a farmhouse style, usually favoring a softer, more feminine palette of grays, lace, and creams. The difference between shabby chic and farmhouse is a line that often gets blurred, though it’s clear custom picture frames can complement either!
Frame Styles:
Wood frames pull together the warmth and comfort of any farmhouse-style home. Lighter/more natural colored frames will call attention to the subjects of the photograph, while tastefully complementing the surrounding farmhouse design.
Lending a rustic, yet modern feel to any space, the Derby style is great for traditional farmhouse or modern farmhouse styles.
7. Coastal
The goal of a coastal interior design style is to create a light, breezy, and beach-like space. The coastal design takes advantage of all-natural light and often blends the indoors with surrounding outdoor areas.
Many natural elements are incorporated to create a coastal interior design: furniture made of wicker or rattan, light or weathered woods, and/or natural textiles. Coastal styling lacks metallics or flashy patterns, but rather includes natural and homey materials.
A coastal home is all about the color white, with touches of blues and greens. Similarly, furniture and accessories are often wooden, or in light airy colors as well. Accessories in a coastal design vary — seashells, plants, or wicker accessories — it all pulls together to create a homey, beach feel.
Frame Styles:
Wooden, light, and natural, wood frames are the best accessories for a coastal-designed interior. Consider any of the lighter wood frame colors (White, Wheat, Rustic Gray), and see which would complement the color scheme of your coastal home.
8. Mid-century Modern
Evolved from modern design style, mid-century modern stems from decor and tones of the 1940s-1960s era. Mid-century modern encompasses a retro, yet fresh feel, with quirky touches, relaxed decor, and bold colors.
Accessories with abstract patterns, prints, and art add character to mid-century modern spaces. Dramatic pieces such as wall hangings, dark accent walls, vases, or other decorative finds are welcomed in this style.
Frame Styles:
A bold picture frame ledge can boast a quirky, yet simple vibe for your mid-century modern interior design. An assortment of frames in various colors/sizes is perfect to personalize your space, while also adding character and complimenting the mid-century modern style.
A picture ledge also lends you the flexibility to swap out pieces easily, making your space feel more organic and dynamic.
9. Eclectic
Similar to a Bohemian style, eclectic interior design is bright, cultural, and artistic. Eclectic designs are rich and relaxing, full of color and pattern. Plant accessorizing creates an earthy vibe that is essential in eclectic design, with distressed pieces adding lots of character.
Eclectic design is the opposite of minimalism, with layers of collections and finds and favorite patterns. Playful visual impact and artistic expression are the defining factors of an eclectically designed space.
Frame Styles:
Bold frames are perfect to call attention to the space as a whole, and mixing in lots of colors and styles only adds to the eclectic vibe. Artistic expression is big for an eclectic interior design style, so lots of personalized frames truly complement an eclectic space and the intricate expressions within it.
10. Scandinavian
The goal of the Scandinavian-style interior design style is to evoke a sense of calm within the space while balancing it with utility. Natural colors for furnishing and accessories are soothing to the eye, but functionality is equally important in Scandinavian-style decor.
Balance is key, and along with color, the textures of a space must have the right harmony. Whether you are balancing stone with glass fixtures, or concrete with plants.
The Scandinavian-style decor is minimalist but adds touches of character that make it uniquely its own.
Frame Styles:
Classic, simple, and balanced frames are the obvious choice for Scandinavian-style interior design. Add your favorite contemporary art to these frames to make the space feel like your own.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you have gained some insight into these 10 common design styles! Picture frames are the perfect way to personalize spaces of any interior design style, and your own photos or art will add character to your spaces to make them unique.
Our frames come in various colors within each style, so remember to consider each frame color and which would best complement your style and color palette!
Still, looking for ideas to accessorize your space with? Check out our guide to the best white picture frames, or read our 10 favorite home decor blogs for more inspiration.
Also, peek at our Pinterest page for more inspiring interiors!
