Popular Home Architectural Styles to Inspire Your Interior Design
It’s hard to argue against the home being the epicenter of life. It’s the safe space where — by concept and intention — a person has the opportunity to rest, relax and recharge: the place that brings life to both you and yours.
Homes are intentionally built with rooms for recharging: the bedroom to nap, the kitchen for nourishment, the bathroom for a refreshing shower, and the dining room for fellowship. That’s their function — and that’s why there’s no place like home.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular house styles and their defining characteristics, helping you discover which architectural or interior design style aligns best with your vision.
Top 5 Home Interior Design Styles
Let’s dive into some of the most iconic and trending home styles, breaking down their key elements and how they can transform your living spaces.
Mid-century Modern Style
Kauffman Desert House in Palm Springs, California Image Source
Mid-century Modern is an American movement in interior design, architecture, and urban development during the United States' post-World War II period, which remained prominent through the late ‘60s.
This style draws on Bauhaus, the early 20th-century German architectural aesthetic that emphasized a “less is more” approach, a principle that still resonates today.
Mid-century Modern design is known for clean lines without frills, often accented with bright, bold colors.
In contemporary culture, it carries a retro-futuristic feel. Palm Springs, California is a great example of Mid-century Modern — predominantly the Kaufmann House, considered “an architectural marvel that helped define the modernist aesthetic of the resort city.”
The desert house was commissioned by Edgar J. Kaufmann Sr. who also asked for Fallingwater, a famous Pennsylvania residence by Frank Lloyd Wright.
For décor, the Barcelona Chair and the popular Eames Lounge Chair are famous fixtures of MCM.
Farmhouse Style
In contrast to the minimalism of Mid-century Modern, the farmhouse is comfy, cozy, and full of charm, accented with neutral warm colors, vintage antiques, and salvaged wood.
The fine trim work is often ornate but not ostentatious — coffered ceilings, crown molding, and Shiplap compliment hardwood floors, rustic beams, and custom barn doors. Windows are everywhere but tend to be cased with depth, frequently with flared rams in a Highland style.
Beyond antiques, a common piece of décor in a modern farmhouse is the farm table, sometimes referred to as harvest tables.
The modern farmhouse aesthetic brings together the best of old-world craftsmanship and contemporary design trends, making it one of the most popular house styles in recent years.
Modern Industrial Style
Industrial interior design is recognized by its exposure to utilitarian elements. This weathered warehouse style has been a continuing trend, not only in the residential sphere but also in restaurants.
Old brick, concrete, exposed framing, visible ducts, and repurposed elements (such as upcycled gas pipes for table legs). Darker colors often paint the rooms, while Edison light bulbs — where you can see the glowing filament — frequently hang to highlight the distressed design style.
The industrial style thrives on its ability to merge function and beauty, offering a modern edge to any home.
Wabi-Sabi Style
Wabi-Sabi is more than an architectural style - it’s a lifestyle and a philosophy. This traditional Japanese aesthetic celebrates the beauty found in imperfection, transience, and the natural world. It highlights the raw, unrefined qualities of materials and objects, introducing the idea that imperfections have their own inherent beauty.
Key elements of Wabi-Sabi include the use of natural materials like wood, stone, and clay, along with soft lighting, which brings an organic warmth to interiors. Earthy tones - muted browns, greens, and grays - are often paired together to create a grounded, calming atmosphere.
If you are drawn to this style, your first step should be decluttering. Keep it simple and only hold on to decor items you cherish. Don’t be discouraged if they show signs of wear and tear. In fact, this only makes them more unique and beautiful. Thrifting is also a great idea for locating those weathered pieces made from natural materials that perfectly complement the Wabi-Sabi style home.
Japandi Style
Japandi is an elegant fusion of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality, blending the best of both worlds to create a space that is simple, serene, and purposeful. This style emphasizes clean lines and a neutral color palette.
Similar to Wabi-Sabi, decluttering and natural materials are at the heart of the Japandi style. However, in contrast to Wabi-Sabi, Japandi’s focus is not on organic imperfections but on clean lines and a thoughtfully planned-out harmony of interior decor.
The use of light wood tones, such as ash or oak, complements neutral hues like soft grays, whites, and blacks, with pops of earthy greens or blues to evoke a sense of calm and connection with nature.
Multifunctional furniture pieces - think modular seating or storage solutions - play a key role in maintaining organization and usability in smaller spaces. Natural textures like woven textiles, bamboo, and stone add warmth and tactile interest to the minimalistic design. Subtle decor elements, like handmade pottery or simple plants, complete the look, ensuring that each piece serves a purpose while contributing to the overall sense of tranquility and coziness that defines the Japandi style.
Your Signature Style | Authenticity. Diversity. Balance.
Beyond these styles, many others can create a unique home: Scandinavian, Coastal, Southwestern, Bohemian, Zen, Minimalist, and more. What’s most important for a homeowner is to be true to taste, including the diversity of your preferences, and keeping balance in your vision.
Here is the interior of a cozy Chalet-style home nestled within the ponderosa pines of Woodland Park, Colorado.
A cozy Chalet home near Pike National Forest in Colorado (Image courtesy of Christine Costa of Deadtree Workshop, Colorado Springs, CO @deadtreeworkshop)
This home blends Scandinavian style with modern, clean elements; retro Mid-century accents, and a touch of Bohemian flair. None of the facets are to any extreme, so they play well together.
Cable Bullet offers railing solutions designed to seamlessly blend with a wide range of architectural styles and materials, including wood, vinyl or composite, masonry, and metal. With their sleek and versatile design, these railings enhance the aesthetic of spaces like stairways, lofts, patios, and pools, adding a modern touch that complements both classic and contemporary home styles.
Cable Railing for the Top 5 Interior Design Styles
Cable railing offers a versatile and stylish solution that complements a variety of interior design styles, from the clean lines of Scandinavian and Mid-century Modern to the warm charm of Farmhouse and the minimalist elegance of Japandi. Its sleek, unobtrusive design allows it to blend seamlessly with your home’s unique aesthetic while enhancing open, airy spaces.
Choosing the right railing style can feel overwhelming, but with the range of options available, finding the perfect match for your design vision has never been easier. At Cable Bullet, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Let us help bring your design dreams to life—start today with a free estimate from our experts.
Discover how Cable Bullet can enhance various architectural styles by exploring our cable railing photo gallery of finished installations.
Before starting any project, check your state and local requirements for railings. The Cable Bullet system meets the International Residential Code (IRC), but some states have additional requirements. For more information, review our terms and conditions.
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