Homeowner's Guide: 5 Popular Interior Styles, Explained!

April 3, 2017

If describing a particular interior style has got you tongue tied and speaking in circles, it's time for a crash course in interior design speak. From grungy industrial to classy traditional, we explore and explain 5 popular home styles in Malaysia, and some of the key elements that define each of these trends. Get the home of your dreams - with the right words!


Industrial

Interior Designer: X-Two Concept

What Is It

A style that is masculine, raw and a little rough around the edges - that’s what industrial décors evoke. It has a perpetual ‘work-in-progress’ look that can be adapted with many other themes, exuding an urban, gritty edge.

Interior Designer: Mil Design and Construction

Echoing its roots in factories and warehouses, industrial décor works very well with lofty spaces or open-plans. After all, this theme is all about freedom in using the space as needed.

Key Features

Interior Designer: Dsgnpholio Consultancy Sdn Bhd

Metallic, mechanical elements. Think exposed steel pipes and trunking, raw cement screed or brick walls.

Interior Designer: Mil Design and Construction

In line with it's rugged look, furniture lean towards boxy shapes, in dark, woody tones. Vintage pieces, like burnished metal pendant lights are another common sight.


Scandinavian

Interior Designer: A Moxie Associates Sdn Bhd

What Is It

A highly popular theme in recent years, it's easy to get the bright, clean Scandinavian aesthetic confused with another style - minimalism. The difference here is in it's focus on natural, woodsy elements, which is supposed to give a home added cosiness and warmth.

Interior Designer: Pocket Square

The Scandinavian look also emphasises on brightening the home through natural sunlight. This is usually achieved by using a predominantly pale colour palette, and light, airy elements such as sheer curtains or drapes.

Key Features

Interior Designer: Pocket Square

Easy to identify, but hard to grasp. Unlike industrial interiors which have their distinct elements, Scandinavian interiors encompass a wide spectrum of looks ranging from sunny, all-white interiors, to colourful spaces meshed with graphic themes.

Interior Designer: Think Studio

Generally, Scandinavian styles comprise of a lot of white elements, paired with wooden pieces or floors. Furnitures come in clean, modern shapes, and the space is usually finished with pops of colour or cosy accents, such as a cable-knit throw or fur rugs.

Interior Designer: Woodzstudio


Minimalist

Interior Designer: EDI: Essential Design Integrated

What Is It

There's always the perception that a minimalist aesthetic incorporates a severely stripped or bare look, which can look uninviting or cold. Yet, the reality is that it's not just about whitewashed interiors with sparse furnishings. It's about the concept of minimalism - Keeping things to what you need, without embellishing your home with excessive adornments.

Key Features

Interior Designer: Pocket Square

A minimalist home can be easily identified by its bare windows, clean architectural lines, uninhabited spaces as well as high-quality but modest fittings and furnishings.

Interior Designer: Pocket Square

To mimic this theme, choose slim furniture over hulking pieces, light and clean colours over busy patterns and; impeccable storage over exposed accessories.

Interior Designer: Nevermore Design

This less-is-more approach is very effective for exuding an illusion of space in smaller homes.

Interior Designer: Nevermore Design

However, on a larger-scale space, it can look incomplete - to solve that, add in warmer hues and softening elements, such as rugs and warm lighting to keep the wide spaces from feeling overly empty.


Traditional

Interior Designer: Xceptional Interiors

What Is It

If there is anything that's the complete opposite of minimalist interiors, a traditional home would be it! But not because it's cluttered and messy; Rather, a traditional décor is all about creating cosy comfort with timeless features surrounding a space.

Interior Designer: Lazern Sdn Bhd

Key Features

With a traditional style, your décor should remain familiar and balanced - think classic pieces of Asian or European-style furniture in (sometimes) gilded designs. No hard, steely materials or quirky accessories here; Instead soft details, such as the use of gentle, creamy hues, dark hardwood and symmetrically aligned furniture characterise the theme.

Interior Designer: Archiplan Interior Design


Eclectic

Interior Designer: Id Industries

What Is It

As its name suggests, the eclectic look is simply a mix of different décor themes. More specifically, this style emphasises in fusing colours, textures as well as a combination of design philosophies.

Interior Designer: SQFT Space Design

Still it’s not an ‘anything goes’ kind of style; Under the chaotic themes lie balance and moderation - not having too many of the same elements in one place, and knowing which items pair well together in terms of form, colour or texture.

Key Features

Interior Designer: SQFT Space Design

Let's be honest - there's no one item that aptly defines this elusive look. However, a common sight in most eclectic-style homes is an anchor piece ( such as a brilliant art piece or heirloom) that sets the tone for the rest of the space.

Interior Designer: Metrics Global Sdn Bhd

In other words, pick a focal point and just decorate according to it – this is so you don’t wind up with a mess of mismatched décor.


Now that you've got the major keywords down pat, need someone to convey your home ideas into reality? Simply drop a free quote request here, and we'll match you up with 5 interior designers - based on your budget and style.

For more home decor inspiration, download our Qanvast app, available on the App Store and Google Play, and save your favourite interior inspirations on the go!

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