Interior Designers Houston – Design Styles

Interior Designers Houston – Bohemian Design Style – Boho Design Style

A Bohemian style of interior design, also called Boho, is a style for a person that wants an unconventional design.  Bohemian style design is an eclectic aesthetic that has the opposite look to a minimalist or modern décor.  One of the key elements of a Bohemian style design is to mix and match a variety of decorations throughout the space.  A Bohemian design defies rules and will use layering warm colors.  The Bohemian style design will mix different patterns and textures that would not be used together in a conventional design.  It is not unusual to see tie-dyed fabrics mixed with designs and fabrics from different cultures.  The materials in a Bohemian Style design can be worn and not necessarily new.  Crochet pillows and curtains are utilized in this design.  An interior designer will want to maybe mix in canopies over the beds and living areas.  When it comes to furniture, the interior designer will want to add comfortable furniture that is relaxing and will communicate that a person should hang out for a while.  The furniture will have overstuffed floor pillows and throw rugs surrounding it.  A Bohemian style will give the feel of everything being collected over time instead of the feel of everything being collected at once.  The furniture should all be special and each piece of furniture should have a diversity in it.  Typically, a Bohemian style interior design will use table lamps and candles instead of overhead lighting.    It is normal for a Bohemian style interior design to have plants to give it a more natural design.  The plants might be hanging from the ceiling, but they will be placed all over the room.  Each room might have a different style creating a different story of the different stages of the user’s life.  The interior designer will understand that there will be a global element to Bohemian design.  The design pulls from different cultures often showing the various places that the homeowner has visited and lived around the world.  The art and sculptures in the living room will be obtained from different places and cultures and give the feeling of the exotic space.  It is not unusual for much of the material in a Bohemian design to be gained from a flea market or some sort of thrift store.  One of the general rules of the Bohemian style is that every item in the room should have a story that is related to you.

Interior Designers Houston – Bohemian Design Style – Boho Design Style - Living Room

Comfort, intimacy, and warmth are hallmarks of the Boho style living room. It’s your go-to place to curl up in an overstuffed armchair with a soft blanket thrown around your shoulders, a cup of hot tea within reach, and a good book on your lap. It’s also a room that instantly makes visitors feel at home.

The first rule of furnishing a Boho style living room is comfort. Furniture can be mixed in age, style, fabric, color, and pattern. Rattan and wicker furniture are popular in Boho design, but many other types of furniture can be incorporated into it, if every seating surface is comfortable.

Other furniture pieces can be a mélange of modern, retro, vintage and antique. Don’t be afraid to use your antique hope chest as a coffee table, or the wooden feed box from great-grandpa's barn as a television stand or a unique version of a console table. While you’re at it, use your unconventional furniture pieces to display grandma’s Depression era candy dish, grandpa’s favorite pipe, or that unique piece of art your best friend made for you in ceramics class. The Boho room should be filled with things that have meaning to you.

Wall decor should also be personal. Whether it’s old family portraits, paintings and sketches that you, family members, or friends created, prints purchased while traveling, baskets, textile art, plates or other items that you just like and want to display, it can be hung on the wall to delightful effect.

A wooden floor covered with an area rug is preferred in a Boho style space, but not de rigueur. Colorful area rugs can pull together different styles of furniture into a cohesive, pleasant harmony. Window treatments often consist of sheer or lace panels under semi-sheer linen type drapes, giving the room a light, airy ambience.

Two words to remember in the lighting of a Boho style living room are warm and soft. Lamps, fairy lights, and light fixtures made from natural materials (wicker and rattan enter the room again) can all be sources of a warm, soft, diffuse lighting that enhances the relaxed Boho aesthetic.

Interior Designers Houston – Bohemian Design Style – Boho Design Style - Master Bedroom

The Bohemian style bedroom comes alive with vintage furniture. There are spectacular headboards, daybeds, hanging chairs, and other furnishings made of rattan, wicker, bamboo, and wood and cane. Scrolled wicker headboards, petal or peacock tail shaped wicker headboards, bamboo daybeds, rattan hanging chairs, wood and cane headboards and chairs... all from earlier decades and each a beautiful centerpiece in a Boho style bedroom. For a more modern style, a fabric or bookcase headboard can be paired with vintage throw pillows and bedding for a Boho touch. Flowing swaths of sheer fabric can be draped over rods suspended above the bed for a touch of Bohemian elegance.

Poufs are popular in Boho designed bedrooms. Whether used as a seat, a footrest or an occasional table, a multi-hued pouf brings color and character to your space. Add a 1960s era rattan dresser, whimsical wicker animal art, and filmy, flowy curtains, plants and personal art to complete the look.

Wall art can be almost anything, from paintings to straw hats. Quirky paintings, framed photographs, vintage posters, macrame hangings, paper cutouts, colorful throw rugs, scarves and straw hats can all be used to enhance a Bohemian bedroom. For lighting, look for vintage rattan fixtures, hanging pendant lights, or vintage style lamps. Fairy lights are also appropriate in any Boho style room. And don’t forget the houseplants! A Boho style home generally has plants in every room.

Flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales are all good places to look for the furniture, lighting and art that will turn your bedroom into a fun and relaxing retreat.

Interior Designers Houston – Bohemian Design Style – Boho Design Style - Bathroom

Any bathroom can achieve a Bohemian vibe with a few accent pieces. Adding wicker or rattan baskets to hold hand towels, bath towels, soaps, or other bathroom accoutrements is a simple way to give a Boho flair to a modern bathroom. This can be taken further with the use of patterned rugs, fun prints on the

walls, and vintage jars to hold small accessories. For small bathrooms, hang floating shelves on a wall and use them to hold those vintage jars, candles, small, framed photos, or small plants.

Plants are as much a desired Boho design feature in bathrooms as in all other rooms of your house. If your bathroom doesn’t have windows to provide natural light, small artificial plants will still give you that Boho feel, if you keep them free of dust and cobwebs. To strengthen the Bohemian aesthetic, put some of those plants in a macrame hanger. Add a pretty wicker basket on the floor to hold clean rolled towels and a small ladder leaning against a wall to hang used towels.

As in other rooms, you can mix and layer colors, fabrics, and textures in your Boho bathroom. Woven, waffle knit, cotton, and sheer fabrics displayed in window treatments, shower curtains, hand towels; leather makeup or shaving kits; and wool rugs add interest to the room while being functional.

A vintage wicker or rattan hanging light fixture is the finishing touch to your bathroom whether your goal is a slight Bohemian vibe, or a full Boho aesthetic.

Interior Designers Houston – Bohemian Design Style – Boho Design Style - Kitchen

Most modern Boho style kitchens are predominantly white or monotone with color added in the accessories; this isn’t a rule, just a modern trend. Painting your kitchen in bold, bright colors and accessorizing with more colors and patterns is the true spirit of Boho design. Boho style pairs nicely with other design styles, such as Industrial style and Farmhouse style.

A Boho style kitchen is an eclectic space that combines old and new. The industrial look of modern appliances can be softened with butcher block countertops, antique utensils, and vintage wall art for a warm, Boho look. The kitchen table, chairs, and open shelving gains Bohemian status with the use of reclaimed, weathered, or rustic wood. Your open shelves made with reclaimed wood can display those antique utensils mentioned above, small vases of dried flowers or freshly picked wildflowers, candles, and vintage mason jars filled with grains, pasta, beans and other dry foods.

Combine a rustic wooden table with leather chairs. Apply wallpaper in a botanic print and fill that area with live plants. Put modern geometric patterned rugs on the floor and hang vintage paintings on a wall. Hang a vintage tea towel on your modern oven door. The combination of old and new features and the use of both complementing and contrasting colors will add excitement to your Bohemian kitchen.

Interior Designers Houston – Traditional Design Style

When interior designers are designing for a traditional design style, they focus their attention on a classic design with home décor that is familiar and rooted in some of the designs of the past but is not focused on any period in a specific way.  In short, a traditional interior design is more timeless in representation and has more of a comfortable style.  Interior Designers will be careful to pick items such as furniture and colors based on familiar furniture and colors and textures rather than setting a cutting edge or trendy style.  A traditional design will often include a neutral color or even carved wood features while also features matching nightstands.  It is not uncommon for a traditional design to have a headboard that might be upholstered.   Traditional interior design has been a popular look for the last 100 years.  A traditional interior design has more of a quiet style without the flash of the trendy or exciting designs.  The traditional design tends to be understated in approach.  White a traditional approach might feel boring and old-fashioned to some, it will feel comfortable to others.  Traditional interior design does evolve with time.  In other words, a traditional design of the 1950s would be very different than a traditional design of 2020s.  The traditional design always evolves to incorporate new styles and looks of various timeframes.  One example of this is that a more modern traditional design might have an island in the kitchen while a traditional design of the 1950s would not have incorporated an island in the kitchen.  A traditional design will still often use open spaces that would not have been around in the 1950s.  Some interior designers will add some bolder colors and even mix in some vintage furniture without breaking from the traditional design.  Interior designers will create a traditional room design and choose specific furniture and blend décor to give a blended style.  A traditional design will make use of subtle neutral colors and may be careful with just a small number of bold colors to highlight certain elements of the design.  The colors involved in a traditional design will feature muted colors and often feature wood furnishings that are darker in nature.  Interior designers will use crown molding throughout the house depending on the desire of the user.  One feature of traditional interior design is soft furnishings.  It is not unusual to see some more subtle tones in the textiles with traditional design.  Traditional design makes use of chandeliers and other matching light features.  You might also see more vintage rugs in a traditional design.  Furniture might also make use of warm and rich tones including walnut wood.  A traditional design might feature window curtains that are layered.  Traditional design might make use of wallpaper that has stripes and patterns.  Traditional design tends to have comfortable furniture that is family friendly.  The family room might feature colors that are earth-toned.  With a traditional design, the look might have a style where the furniture blends together but doesn’t match exactly with matching pieces.  Take for example a kitchen set up for a traditional design.  It is common to see a tablecloth and even feature a set of China somewhere in a traditionally designed kitchen.  In a living room with a traditional design, you might see a brick fireplace in the corner. It is common to see a home office in the den or side room in a traditional design. 

Interior Designers Houston – Traditional Design Style Living Room

An interior designer will need to look at the living room when applying a traditional design.  One characteristic of the traditional design is that the living room looks timeless.  The traditional design will also feature a comfortable style that avoids looking stuffy in the living room.  A traditional design will look to the past in the living room but still adapt to the present.  A certain evolution takes place even with a traditional design living room.  For example, in the living room the interior designer might mix old colors with a few bold newer colors on the walls.  An interior designer will also add some contemporary furniture. But another idea is to add worn furniture or even distressed pieces to the room. Many of the traditional designs will in some way focus the living room on the fireplace.  The brick fireplace is traditional in a living room and gives a comfortable family friendly style.  Another great way for the interior designer to add a traditional element is to add wood panels to the living room.  A nice mahogany or cherry wood panel on the wall will give a nice clean but traditional design.  In the living room you also might see some sort of décor at the top of the windows that include some ruffled style.  The adding of ruffled decoration will be used in moderation but gives a traditional flare.  A traditional interior design will make use of softer colors and even grand spaces.  In the living room, the pieces are not required to match.  The pieces simply need to blend in together and relate to each other in some way.  You want the pieces to relate in style and shape.  A traditional design for your living room will often emphasize comfort over a more edgy cutting-edge style.  One way to mix up the living room with a traditional design is to add a bookcase to the living room. The bookcase will add space for storage and yet keep with the traditional design.  The bookcase can be decorated with classic hardware and warm wooden tones to keep the traditional design.  Another element that an interior designer might add to this space is the use of old books in the bookcase.  Older books in the bookcase are common in a traditional style design.  Even with the traditional living room, an interior designer will sometimes mix in a modern piece of furniture.  When looking at the window dressing of a traditional design, it is common to see floor-to-ceiling drapes.  Historical art is a feature in a traditional design living room.  The landscape or historic art will create a classic living room space.  A group of older photos might be used in place of historic art.  Wooden frames around the historic art or around the older photos help freed the traditional design style. The lighting of the living room space will sometimes have a central lighting feature like a chandelier.    Another highlight of a traditional design is the use of natural wood.  The natural wood used is typically darker in nature. Some individuals will use glossed darker wood.  Interior Designers will make use of wooden window casings for the design and that same color might be used for a fireplace mantle. 

Interior Designers Houston – Traditional Design Style Master Bedroom

One reason a homeowner might contact an interior designer requesting a traditional design is that the homeowner has a desire for a design that will stand the test of time.  When it comes to a master bedroom, bedding is one of the first elements of focus.  A traditional design will typically include linen bedding that produces a comfortable place to sleep. Typically, with traditional design, the use of neutral colors in the linen will be used such as light or very pale grey.  The linen bedding will be matched with white sheets.  The traditional master bedroom will usually use classic fabric patterns.  Stripe and plaid and solids all work in a traditional setting.  The art on the wall can include landscaping or maybe a farmhouse.  Photos might include a family photo or even a photo of the family pet.  Just like the living room.  Typically, darker wood for the bed and furniture will match the traditional style.  A traditional bedroom will often feature a carpeted floor and have table lamps.  A king-size bed is usually present in a traditional bedroom with wooden furnishings.  A chandelier might be present in a master bedroom traditional design.  The traditional wooden sleigh bed works with maybe a small sofa close to the bed.  A large area rug might be next to the bed or maybe by the fireplace if one is present.  A chandelier is more likely to be used if the ceilings are tall.  The chandelier might have candlesticks.  A headboard is often cushioned style with maybe a light beige for the cushion.  A sofa might be upholstered, and longer drapes will be draping the windows.  Occasionally the bed might have functional storage drawers built in it.  Wood-style furniture may be used to place the television set on.  It is not uncommon to have wood beams that are visible in the master bedroom of a traditional design. 

A fireplace can be included in a traditional design for the master bedroom.  The fireplace can be made from brick and there might be a rustic wooden mantel and walnut wood on the windowsills.  French doors might exist leading to the backyard.  The hardwood floors might blend into the mantel of the fireplace. 

Interior Designers Houston – Traditional Design Style Bathroom

The Traditional Style Bathroom is one of the tried-and-true elements combined with personal touches to create a comfortable, functional, individual space. It can combine vintage or retro elements with the most up-to-date contemporary fixtures and eccentric accessories that reflect your personal style.

Tile floors are popular in Traditional Style bathrooms. Tiles can be made of glass, ceramic, porcelain, marble, limestone or terra cotta. Other flooring options include linoleum and vinyl planks. If wood floors are installed in bathrooms, they require meticulous sealing. For tile floors, there are many options to choose from, including mosaic and subway tiles for a retro look, and hand-painted tiles to give your bathroom an artistic flair. Many tiles can also be installed on walls.

The freestanding bathtub has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. From vintage claw-foot bathtubs to modern versions with softly curved lines, there is a bathtub to suit any taste. Choose faucets in gold or copper tones to add warmth. For those who prefer a shower, an overhead rain shower head is a stylish modern choice. Hand-held shower heads are also popular, as well as being an easy way to conserve water.

There are several choices for walls in a Traditional Design Style bathroom. Tile walls are a nod to the past, while today’s modern tile options can bring your bathroom up to date. Painted or papered walls above wainscoting painted in a complementary color is a classic look that doesn’t go out of style. Painted walls are usually white or pale neutral. Windows framed in wood are a call back to simpler times. Glass block or stained-glass windows enhance your bathroom while ensuring privacy.

Bathroom furniture in a Traditional Design Style bathroom is typically a warm, dark wood like mahogany or walnut. If your bathroom is large enough, add a mahogany armoire to store towels, paper goods and other supplies out of sight, but easily accessible, and install a pedestal sink. A walnut dresser style vanity also adds storage space and can be paired with a modern bowl style sink to evoke a washstand with pitcher and bowl from more than a century ago.

Always remember to add personal touches to your Traditional Design Style bathroom; your favorite vase filled with lavender or eucalyptus, personal artwork or framed photos, a whimsical trashcan... something that puts your personality in the room and makes it unique.

Interior Designers Houston – Traditional Design Style Kitchen

The Traditional Design Style kitchen is the heart of your home with its comforting and familiar atmosphere. This design will feature ample storage, classic lines, and a welcoming vibe that invites visitors to settle in for a cup of tea, a snack, and a good visit.

Cabinetry is probably the first thing most people notice on entering a kitchen. In a Traditional Design kitchen, the cupboards are generally unpainted with natural wood, often with a raised panel design. If you prefer painted cupboards, white and pale neutral shades are popular. There is no specific color palette for Traditional style kitchens, but bear in mind that darker colors often make a space feel darker and smaller, while white and pale colors tend to make a space seem larger and give it a light, airy

feel. There are modern options for cupboards that can be used in a kitchen without sacrificing the traditional design style. One option is to use large drawers instead of cupboards for the lower cabinetry. A wall-to-wall counter with large drawers below can hold all of your dishes, cookware, and kitchen linens with the advantage of being easier to access and keep organized than cupboards. No more kneeling on the floor and groping in dark corners of a cupboard to find something by touch!

The kitchen island is a staple of several different design styles, including Traditional Design. A kitchen island provides a centralized workspace for meal preparation while also offering extra storage space, as well as extra seating space. Many are also equipped with electrical outlets and a sink.

Another space-saving feature that has made a comeback in the past couple of decades is the pantry. It has evolved from an alcove with a few shelves for storing foodstuffs, to a walk-in closet consisting of floors to ceiling shelves and pull-outs, with options in between these two extremes. A pantry fits right in with Traditional Design, and is, in fact, a time-honored tradition in the kitchen.

Countertops in a Traditional Design kitchen are most often marble or granite. A white countertop will complement dark natural woods and dark paint; a darker hued countertop will complement light natural woods and white or light paint. Butcher block countertops also fit well into the traditional design.

The floor can be wood or tile. Both are traditional styles and goes well in a Traditional Design kitchen. An interior designer will be able to help you choose the style that will look best with the overall design of your kitchen.

A Traditional Design Style kitchen is a callback to a simpler era, utilizing modern conveniences and design elements, and offering a timeless charm.

A few common questions about traditional design are as follows:

Is the traditional interior design being used today?

The reality is that traditional style is one of the most popular approaches for people that are looking for a familiar style and interior.  Traditional style has a warm touch that appeals to people raising a family.  The traditional style can be updated with time to incorporate some of the modern updates that make the style convenient. 

How can I make my traditional design more modern?

An interior designer can make a traditional living room more modern by adding updating furniture including one modern piece like a contemporary chair.  The interior designer can also add more contemporary art or photography on the wall.  Switching out lighting to something a little more contemporary can also modernize the style.

Interior Designers Houston – Contemporary Design Style

Interior designers need to understand the latest design trends when it comes to contemporary design for your home.  Contemporary design is a diverse style and will change as each new innovation and trend develops.  Contemporary designs will have many diverse traits.  Contemporary design will allow for so much room for innovation as those trends change.  In general, contemporary design tends to be more sophisticated and sleeker.  A contemporary style will usually feature a certain minimal touch and a clean look. A contemporary design will often feature mid-century furniture.  The art in a contemporary design home will often feature higher end art and contemporary art.  A contemporary style design will have art display much in the same way you would expect the art to be featured in an art museum.  It is not uncommon to see art with an eastern touch. Another feature of art in contemporary design is oversized artwork.  One very large piece of artwork may be enough to cover a whole wall or the larger part of a wall.  Contemporary style may also have a studio style.  In the bedroom, you might observe a padded oversized bed frame in a contemporary design.  Contemporary designs will feature bath and shower combos that have an actual bathtub in the glass shower enclosure.  The paint and colors will tend to make use of more natural colors such as light wheat or olive.  Contemporary interior design will sometimes mix different eras in design to create a whole new look.  For example, a contemporary design can feature both a Victorian and modern look to create the contemporary style.  When we move to the dining room, we can see mixed seating in a contemporary design.  One feature of a contemporary style is the use of environmentally friendly elements.  Wood and stone tend to be frequently used in contemporary styles.  When it comes to furniture, high-fashioned and high-end chairs can be a central feature.  Coffee tables in the living room can be wood that is unfinished with a sleek surface on top of the table.  Black and grey colors are featured in many contemporary homes.  A mix of grey and black blend together.  The grey and black walls may also blend into grey and black furniture.  The furniture may be grey with black pillows.  Contemporary style lighting can be very diverse.  Chandeliers can be decorative and have a very modern flare. Green is another color that can be featured in many contemporary homes.  Green can be on the walls in different tones but also mix into the furniture and even the rugs. Contemporary does not make for a total minimalist approach.  Instead, contemporary tends to draw for a minimalist approach but then have more of a less is more style.  It is good to think of contemporary design as being clutter free as opposed to strictly minimalist. As stated before, a contemporary style can blend two different styles.  For example, a blend of a minimalist and one of the other styles such as Bohemian design can add up to a contemporary design.

Interior Designers Houston – Contemporary Design Style Living Room

When designing a living room with a contemporary design style, the design will embrace the idea of constant change. It is best to think of the living room as evolving so parts of the living room may be subtracted to include a new design each year.  Colors may change over time and a contemporary design will add the new color to the walls as the color trends change.  It is said that a contemporary design is a style chameleon that is designed for constant change.  A few pieces may remain neutral in order that they can go with the design changes over time.  A contemporary style will be uncluttered and that will translate into a wall with nothing other than an art piece, television set or mirror.  A contemporary style has minimalistic elements such as lighting, furniture and keeping what is functional but not the absolute minimalism style.  In other words, it tends to be an approach that is high on function and yet simple.  A contemporary living room will tend to an open floor plan.  A typical contemporary design uses less rugs and carpets.  Another feature of a contemporary style is to have no draping or very little draping on the windows. 

Interior Designers Houston – Contemporary Design Style Bathroom

Although Contemporary Design Style is all about being trendy, the Contemporary Design bathroom also has a timeless look. Organic textures are a good starting point in designing a timeless contemporary bathroom. A natural wood vanity, and stone flooring and/or shower space are a great foundation to build on and will always support current trends in colors and accessories. Add live plants for an organic accent that will always be on trend. The Contemporary Design Style bathroom should have a spacious look and an airy feel. White or pale neutral walls in conjunction with substantial natural light help to achieve a roomy, airy effect. If there are not enough windows for a flood of natural light, consider installing skylights. Enclosing the walk-in shower on a frameless floor to clear ceiling glass will make even a small bathroom seem spacious.

Floating vanities are a current trend in Contemporary Design. Lines should be clean and curved, or a mix of angles and curves. The natural color wood will add warmth, but the vanity can be painted to complement your color palette. Gold colored taps are on trend for the sink (as well as the bathtub and shower). The countertop on the vanity will usually be granite or marble, with a white or light-colored countertop over a dark or bold painted vanity, and a dark colored countertop over a white or light-colored vanity. If your bathroom is configured to accommodate it, a wall-to-wall vanity is desirable. The unofficial motto of Contemporary Design Style is “Everything in its place.” A wide vanity that stretches from wall to wall will have more storage space, as well as making the room look spacious. The wall above the vanity can be painted or tiled in a bold color to make an accent wall. A large, backlit mirror hanging above the vanity makes a statement.

Walls in the Contemporary Design Style bathroom can be painted or tiled. There are many types of tiles that can be used with Contemporary Style. Small mosaic tiles are on trend and have a timeless appeal. Subway tile is also popular. A tiled wall or floor can be livened up by installing the tile in an unusual configuration, such as placing rectangular tiles in a vertical position, or a herringbone design. You can also use a non-traditional shape of tile, like hexagonal.

Flooring should be some sort of tile; vinyl, porcelain, limestone, ceramic... find what works best with your design. Windows should be uncovered, if possible, to allow more natural light into the room.

Interior Designers Houston – Contemporary Design Style Kitchen

Some hallmarks of a Contemporary Design Style Kitchen include stainless steel appliances, clean lines, flat panel cabinetry, minimalism, and functionality. Colors can range from all white, to neutral shades, to bold shades, to all black. Long, uninterrupted expanses of space in the form of walls and countertops give a sleek, roomy appearance and soothing aesthetic.

The color palette for a Contemporary Design Style kitchen is generally the same as other rooms in the Contemporary style; white, black, black and white, pale neutrals. However, in the kitchen a bold color accent is often employed. For instance, an all-black kitchen with the exception of a bright yellow accent wall.

The upper cabinetry is trending toward open shelving instead of cupboards, with glass fronted cupboards as a second option, and flat panel cupboards as a third choice. The lower cabinets may be flat panel cupboards or, a trend that is on the rise, wide, deep drawers. Cabinet hardware should follow the minimalist style, with either small, unobtrusive knobs or handles, or a sleek and stylish bar style that is so comfortably attuned to the cabinetry as to nearly be unnoticed. Wall-to-wall cabinets with an uninterrupted, uncluttered countertop will give the illusion of almost limitless space in any kitchen size. Cabinets are natural wood colors, or painted white, black, or a pale neutral shade in most cases, while countertops are marble, granite, quartz, or butcher block. Sticking to black, white, or neutral hues allows you to use current trending colors in your accessories, making it easier and more cost efficient to update to new color trends in the future. Contemporary style always looks to the future!

A kitchen island with barstool seating is desirable in a Contemporary Design kitchen. It can be an intimate space to eat family breakfast, serve as a place to play cards or board games, provide extra storage space for small kitchen appliances, and is a convenient workspace for cooking and baking. Barstools should be a contemporary, elegant design. Waterfall-style countertops on kitchen islands is a rising trend. A waterfall countertop is generally marble or granite and, instead of stopping at the edge of the top surface, it plunges down the side to the floor. It’s an elegant, dramatic style that, due to its clean lines and seamless effect, marries well with Contemporary Design.

Appliances in a Contemporary Design Style kitchen tend toward stainless steel, as the matte silver color is neutral that doesn’t take center stage in the design and evolves with the kitchen as it’s updated. Flat panel cupboards (mentioned above) also make it possible to hide your appliances, giving your kitchen a streamlined appearance.

Kitchen flooring should be durable, easy to clean, water resistant, and resilient. Options in flooring for a Contemporary Design kitchen include:

· Hardwood – a timeless, design-friendly choice

· Sheet Vinyl – comfortable to stand on for long periods, budget-friendly

· Tile – offering versatility in material, size, shape and color. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are durable and give a clean look. Natural stone tiles such as travertine and marble afford a warm and unique look, as no two stones are identical.

· Engineered vinyl plank (EVP) - a newer product that is currently trending, EVP gives the appearance of a hardwood floor with the comfort of vinyl underfoot. It’s waterproof and easy to install.

Walls in a Contemporary Design Style kitchen are often painted solid white or a solid light neutral shade. In more dramatic Contemporary kitchens, the walls may be painted solid black. A wall can also be brick, stone, or tile depending on your personal preference. In keeping with the clutter-free aesthetic of Contemporary Design, artwork on the wall should be kept to a minimum. Backsplash can be marble, granite, mosaic, or subway tile. The backsplash should complement other elements of the kitchen.

Lighting can be a little more flamboyant or whimsical than the rest of a Contemporary Design Style kitchen. This is where you can have a statement piece that brings a personal touch to the design. A geometric LED chandelier, cluster lighting in sphere or cube shapes, a linear metal chandelier with a space age look, an eight-bulb open metallic fixture with Edison bulbs; the possibilities are almost endless. All of these examples have the clean lines of Contemporary Design. A growing trend in kitchen lighting is underlighting the cabinetry and kitchen island.

Don’t be afraid to install statement lighting in your contemporary bathroom. An unexpected choice is a chandelier. Dramatic pendant lights and trendy wall sconces are also good choices. If statement lighting does not fit your aesthetic, recessed lighting may be the right fit for you.

Bath linens should be good quality and have a simple, classic design. Colors can be neutral, subdued, or bold; design can be solid or patterned. Choose a color and design that complements or contrasts your bathroom colors. Trending accent colors for Contemporary Design bathrooms are botanical shades of blue, green, white and brown.

Finally, if you have the space, consider building a wet room in the bathroom. The wet room will be a walk-in shower big enough to include a bathtub and still be roomy. It will be the size of a small room, with built-in seating, multiple shower heads, and enough space for more than one occupant. Floor to ceiling glass walls separate the wet room from the rest of the bathroom.

Your Contemporary Design Style Bathroom should be timeless, with tried-and-true elements from the past that have never gone out of style. It should be current, embracing today’s trends in colors, materials, and lighting. It should look to the future, with classic elements that can integrate seamlessly with updates featuring future trends.

Interior Designers Houston – Modern Design Style

A modern interior design emerged is a design that has at its roots the early to middle twentieth century but is still used today in design.  Modern design uses clean lines, minimalism and natural materials and natural light.  Modern design was inspired by an idea of functionality and simple forms.  Modern design rejected certain aspects of Renaissance and Victorian design and replaced those styles with clean, straight lines and uncluttered spaces.

Interior Designers Houston – Modern Design Style Living Room

A living room in the Modern Design Style is an airy, minimalistic space with clean lines, a neutral, often monochromatic palette that leans toward earth tones, and furniture that can be used in multiple ways. Nature is present in Modern Design, not only in the color palette, but also in natural materials and natural lighting. Modern Design Style pairs nicely with an open floorplan where rooms flow into each other without barriers. Modern Design embraces the premise that “form follows function.” While that was originally the credo behind industrial architectural design, it has come to be interpreted as minimalism when applied to home interior design.

The Modern Design living room is a comfortable space. In general, furniture is a solid color, either in neutral or earthy shades. Earth tones and neutrals can both be present in the Modern Design Style living room, with a rich green, blue, mustard or rust piece of furniture during an otherwise monochromatic color scheme. Non-upholstered furnishings should include wood and natural fibers.

Hardwood floors are favored in most living room design styles, including Modern Design. A floor of natural wood can be partially covered with a woven area rug in earth tones for a homey look or left bare to enhance the minimalist aesthetic. Although wall to wall carpeting has largely gone out of fashion, it works well with a Modern Design Style interior. When patterns are present in upholstery or floor coverings, a geometric design is often selected.

Walls tend to be painted in solid, pale neutral shades. Try wallpaper in an airy botanical print to shake things up a bit. Wall art can be classic, abstract, or whimsical, as long as it’s not fussy. One wall-size piece of art, or one wall covered with multiple pieces of art, can be the focal point of your living room.

Natural light is desired in a Modern Design interior. Large windows, clear glass doors, and skylights can bring the sun into your living room. If windows and doors look out onto the privacy of your backyard, consider leaving them uncovered. If you must cover them, use curtains or shades in fabrics that let in light such as gauzy sheer or linen.

Knick-knacks should be kept to a minimum; use functional items like vases, potted plants, and candles in place of souvenir trinkets and tchotchkes.

Interior Designers Houston – Mid-Century Modern Design Style

Mid-century design style started in the mid-20th century.  Mid-century is design made simple and functional and includes wooden furniture. The middle of the 20th century produced mass production of material, and it led to the capability to produce curved and geometric shapes in wooden pieces.  The mid-century modern design also focused on the connection with nature. 

Interior Designers Houston – Coastal Design Style – Beachy Design Style – Beach Design Style

A coastal design style is designed to bring all the elements related to the beach into your home.  The design recreates the beach house design by bringing elements that come with a beach to your home even if you are not living by the beach.  A coastal design style will create a seaside getaway.  An interior designer will bring in natural textures such as rope and wicker and add visual appeals like anchors or shells.

Interior Designers Houston – Transitional Design Style

Transitional design style is perfect for a homeowner that wants a combination of the traditional design and modern design style.  Homeowners often love a traditional design style but want some sort of transition that does not fully embrace a modern design style.  Interior designers can give them a transitional design style.

Interior Designers Houston – Minimalism Design Style – Minimalist Design Style

Minimalism design style is about keeping the space simple and uncluttered.  A minimalist design has a focus on functionality.  Each piece usually can easily answer the question of what is the function of this item?  A minimalist design will usually have an open floor plan and plenty of lighting.  Minimalism has simple line furnishings.   Everything in each space should have a purpose and a function.

Interior Designers Houston – Art Deco Design Style

Art deco design style is a bolder style that first came into popularity in the 1920s and 1930s.  Art deco design uses geometric shapes and bold colors with sleek lines.  The art deco design style makes use of luxurious materials including marble and high-end materials. 

Interior Designers Houston - Shabby Chic Design Style

A shabby chic design style blends vintage style and cottage style.  With shabby chic interior design, we have an elegant look that is also worn.  The shabby chic style emerged in the 1980s and 1990s.  Shabby chic is a design still used today but it is not as popular as it was in the 1980s and now it would not be viewed as trendy and instead viewed as a classic design style.  The design originated from designer Rachel Ashwell and it was named after her store.  Rachell Ashwell used the style to turn vintage thrift items into home decorations.  Recently shabby chic has become popular again since covid as people began spending more time in their homes and they wanted a familiar style.  Shabby Chic is usually defined with white linen and antique furniture.  Shabby Chic design style will focus on vintage and distressed furniture .The distressed furniture has more of a romantic style and is generally viewed as authentic.  The vintage furniture will also be matched with vintage accessories and floral wallpaper.  Shabby chic will typically use white colors for the walls or pale pastels.  Shabby chic will use custom slipcovers for furniture such as the couch. The slipcovers will use custom accents to help contrast with fabrics.  The furniture for shabby chic will often use styles that are conflicting or contrasting with different styles. 

Interior Designers Houston – Glam Design Style

A glam interior design style is characterized by having luxurious and sophisticated design.  Glam interior design style is known for bolder colors and larger patterns.  Interior designers will use mirrors and tables with mirrors for the glam design style.  Fabrics will include silk, velvet and even fur.  Fixtures will typically be bold and stand out.  For example, a crystal chandelier and ambient lighting will be utilized.  The glam interior design style will make use of glass around each room.  With the glam design style, the colors tend to be more on the neutral side.  Pastels are very common with the glam interior design with some use of jewel tones.  Most of the money with the glam design style will focus on luxurious furniture or materials.  Marble, gold, fur, silk and crystal add a certain glitz to the design.  The light fixtures will feature plenty of glitz too with large and showy pieces that help with lighting but also draw attention to the lighting.  The best approach to glam interior design is to think glitzy and versatile.  Glam will add a touch of elegance and luxury to space. The glam interior design style is more than just style and sparkles.  A certain sophistication is added to the living space.

Interior Designers Houston – Grandmillennial Design Style

The Grandmillennial design style is a new style in name only and builds off the style that is more classic and traditional in nature.  It is called Grandmillennial design style because it is adapted by young people in their 20’s and 30’s borrowing of the more traditional style of their grandparents.  It is a traditional style with some updated features to adapt to today.  Almost any style will remerge with time and give a slightly new twist.  The Grandmillennial style is just that for a certain generation.  In fact, some would consider this style to be a new traditional design style.  This style is popular in the South with a return to tradition.  It is characterized by fancy drapes and fringe trim.  Many would like to think of this style as “Granny Chic.”  Grandmillennial design style is a throwback to patterns while avoiding the stuffy look of the generation before.  An Interior Designer will pull in some of your grandmother’s good China for this stull and would use some floral wallpaper.  The Grandmillennial design will have a large quantity of patterns with textures mixed in the space.  It might be mixed in some brown furniture.  The new style will avoid the stuffy and formal rooms of grandma’s house.  But it will include skirted tables and patterned upholstery.  The furniture may include stained wood but then add in a few modern elements.  With classic prints and plaid, some might call the style nostalgic and comfortable.  The plaid will be featured on the curtains and wall coverings.  It is best to look at the style as being a combination of the old with a new take that leaves the home comfortable.  The Grandmillennial design style will look timeless and avoid the cluttered style.  The floor plan of a Grandmillennial design style will be open and inviting.  It will create space that encourages interaction.  The Grandmillennial design style will feature antiques, books and family photos.  The design style will have a heavy focus on comfort.  Expect a setting that would encourage family to stop in and sit and talk for hours.  As you look around the house, you would expect to see the history of the family in the furniture, photos and art.  The Grandmillennial interior design style will feature colors that are white or cream.  The design will include moldings and trims and maybe a brick fireplace.  The flooring will include wood floors that were popular during grandma’s time.  A few antique furniture pieces might be mixed in with something new to create a balance to the home.  When adding this furniture, you will need to be careful not to place too much furniture in the home.  The furniture should be comfortable and is usually larger than normal, creating an environment to sit down and relax.  A mix of pillows can be added to the couch or master bedroom bedding.  Floral wallpaper is a nice feature for the bathroom.  A bookcase will display travel books displaying some of the places the family has visited. 

Interior Designers Houston – Grandmillennial Design Style – Kitchen

A typical kitchen for a Grandmillennial design style will feature vintage or unusual pieces.  It will mix in the old with the new to make for a unique style.  Rugs are an additional feature of the design.  The shaker cabinet design is a good match for the Grandmillennial design style.  The cabinet fixtures will be more traditional or antique in design.  Glass is very common in the cabinetry with wallpaper as a backdrop.  Fabric skirts can be used around the island of the kitchen.  The patterns will be mixed using maybe striped patterns at the top of a window and maybe a more neutral color for the bottom part of the window covering.  A nice touch is to add plates on the wall of the kitchen that are either antique in style or have significant meaning to the family. 

Interior Designers Houston – Grandmillennial Design Style – Master Bedroom

Many homeowners that decide to use the Grandmillennial design style in their master bedroom are trying to recreate the look of their grandparents’ bedroom.  They have an image in their head that they want to imitate for their own home.  That style will be rooted in tradition.  One way to bring the Grandmillennial design style to your home is to add pleated lampshades.  The lampshades can produce a very subtle shoutout to the past.  Trees and plants can be added to the master bedroom.  The trees might be larger than expected in a home or master bedroom.  A nice sofa in the master bedroom that is white, or cream will match the Grandmillennial design style.  Just like the other rooms, the patterns might mix in larger and then maybe smaller stripes.  The furniture must be durable and be able to stand the course of time to keep the style complete.  The bedframe should be grand and be central to the room.  Several options exist but a nice large wood bedframe would match the traditional style of grandma’s house.

Interior Designers Houston – Regency Design Style - Hollywood Regency Design Style – Regencycore Design Style – Regency Moderne Design Style 

Hollywood regency design style is reflective of the Hollywood timeframe of 1920s-1950s.  The movie sets were made with a luxurious style that matched Hollywood, and it led to a design style that people wanted to match in their own homes.  The Hollywood regency style was known for black and white checkerboard flooring and grand and sparkly chandeliers.  The colors tones were bold, and the furniture was mirrored. The style reflected glamorous and luxurious homes.  Hollywood regency design style is a maximalist design style approach.  Mirrored features are used throughout the home.  Black and white are used with the design style.  Hollywood regency design style features fur, silk and velvet.  A great deal of old school glam helped drive the interior design of these homes.  Hollywood regency design style has plenty of mirrors surrounded by gold.  The tables and dressers also make use of mirrors.  The accents are often gold.  Hollywood regency design style will make use of hot pink in carpets and the colors of the walls.  The art and photos on the wall will be black and white.  Leopard print will be displayed on the floors and the upholstery.  Large crystal chandeliers will greet the visitor as they walk into the home.  The Hollywood regency design style will have a glam and flashy appearance.  It will have bold colors and a maximalist style. 

Interior Designers Houston – Farmhouse Design Style – Modern Farmhouse Design Style – Traditional Farmhouse Design Style – French Farmhouse Design Style

Farmhouse interior design is represented by a simpler and cleaner style to a home.  The style is known for being comfortable and cozy.  The farmhouse interior design can be broken up into two different design types.  One is a traditional farmhouse design and the other is a modern farmhouse design.  The traditional farmhouse design is also known as the classic farmhouse design style, and it is rustic and vintage in design style.  A traditional farmhouse will have country or antique furniture.  A modern farmhouse design style will bring in some contemporary elements.  The farmhouse approach is patterned after actual homes where farmers lived.  A typical farmhouse is made from material that would be available to a farmer like wood and stone.  The houses were designed with functionality in mind.  Both the modern farmhouse design style and the traditional farmhouse design style were built around the concept of duplicating the farmhouse style.  The traditional farmhouse style would focus more on the antique elements and the modern would add more contemporary elements to the style.  A modern farmhouse interior design style would have exposed beams or wood floors that were more contemporary.  But there are features that tend to be common in both styles.  They both tend to have exposed beams.  Both styles tend to have plants.  Both styles have at least some vintage or antique elements.  Both the traditional farmhouse design and the modern farmhouse design will have larger furniture.  Both styles will make use of barn doors.  And both styles tend to have a great deal of cabinetry and reclaimed wood.  Interior designers can add certain elements to a home to create farmhouse style.  They can add rustic features such as wood and stone.  One simple way to add an element is to change the flooring to reclaimed wood.  Other elements in the home can also be impacted by adding reclaimed wood. 

Interior Designers Houston – Farmhouse Design Style – Living Room

One feature that is important to the living room of a farmhouse interior design is a fireplace.  A fireplace is a practical addition to the home of any farmer to keep the house warm. A rough, stone fireplace will immediately give the farmhouse touch to the style. The living room space will also feature large windows that allow for greater light.  Vintage accents can go along with the fireplace to make the living room an authentic farmhouse style.  The colors in the living room will tend to the natural colors.  A farmhouse tends to also have large open spaces that combined the kitchen with the living room to make for a larger space. 

Interior Designers Houston – Memphis Design Style

The Memphis design style is inspired by art deco design style, and it utilizes retro colors and has bold features.  The Memphis design style uses bold patterns and repetitive geometric patterns to guide the style.  The colors with Memphis design style are bold but they also clash with each other.  The colors make use of black and white stripes that contrast each other. 

Interior Designers Houston – Art Moderne Design Style – Streamline Moderne

The art moderne design style hit its peak in the 1930s to 1940s.  It is characterized by retro curves and pastel hues.  The curving forms and long horizontal lines were used by designers using the art moderne design style. The art moderne design style has smooth white walls.  The windows have glass blocks.  Glass brick walls and round edges make up the windows for this design.

Interior Designers Houston – Hollywood Glam Design Style

Hollywood Glam interior design style (also known as Hollywood Regency or Regency Moderne) dates back to the 1930s, the Golden Age of Hollywood. This style is a combination of Art Deco and Mid Century Modern, and is attributed to Billy Haines, an actor who became a designer. The Hollywood Glam style is all about clean lines, bold colors, uncluttered spaces, lush fabrics, dramatic lighting, and shiny surfaces and accents. Bold designs are also essential to the Hollywood Glam style.

Textures are important to the Hollywood Glam style. Velvet, silk, satin, leather, sheepskin and fur are all associated with this style. Think of velvet tufted upholstery in neutral or jewel tone solids, metallic brass or gold accents, shiny marble or lacquered surfaces, sheepskin rugs, and bold patterned wallpaper or wall art.

The Hollywood Glam style can be combined with other styles without losing its lush appeal. The key is to keep the space airy and clutter-free, while incorporating drama and opulence and a cohesive flow from room to room.

An unexpected blending of colors, textures, patterns and fabrics will give your space an exclusive look in the style of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Interior Designers Houston – Hollywood Glam Design Style Living Room

When designing a living room in the Hollywood Glam style, it’s important to choose your color palette. Neutrals in creams, soft grays, and light browns; pastels in pale shades of pink, blue, lavender, and yellow; or bolder jewel tone hues of deep blue, purple and green can come together to make a cohesive design that is pleasing to the eye. Another color combination that works well with the Hollywood Glam style is black and white, which can be utilized in the furniture, or wall and floor accents.

An interior designer might choose wallpaper in a bold design paired with a lush sheepskin rug, or a solid painted wall in your chosen color palette paired with a rug in a bold pattern. Look for comfortable furniture in lush fabrics. For instance, a tufted sofa in velvet or leather, with armchairs that coordinate rather than exactly match. It is perfectly acceptable to pair leather armchairs with a velvet couch. The Hollywood Glam style is about creating a rich, uncluttered look. This can be achieved without perfectly matched furniture, if all the pieces complement each other and bring about a cohesive look to the room. Window treatments should also be rich, sumptuous fabrics such as satin, silk or velvet.

Other furniture pieces, such as a coffee table, end tables, or a credenza should bring a shine to the room. Lacquered wood or marble topped pieces work well with the Hollywood Glam look. For lighting, an elegant chandelier, and/or gleaming metal lamps will add to the luxurious look of the space.

Interior Designers Houston – Hollywood Glam Design Style - Master Bedroom

The centerpiece of the Hollywood Glam style bedroom is the bed. A beautiful quilted or tufted fabric headboard is the epitome of Old Hollywood glamour. Add a full canopy or sheer fabric draped over a round frame centered over the head of the bed and sweet dreams are almost guaranteed. Top off the bed with silk or satin sheets and a luxuriously soft duvet covered with a sumptuous fabric.

Other furnishings such as dresser, armoire, nightstands and vanity table should have a highly polished natural finish, painted in neutral colors such as black or white, or topped with a marble or mirrored surface. Choose window coverings in fabrics that complement your desired look. Silk, satin, or velvet for a dark, intimate feel; linen drapes over sheer panels for a lighter, airier space.

For lighting, look for gold or brass lamps, or a chandelier that matches the aesthetic of the room. A wooden floor with plush rugs will complete the bedroom of your sweetest dreams.

When designing your bedroom in Hollywood Glam style, neutral-colored walls, upholstery, and window and bed coverings will allow you to add pops of color in the accessories. Throw pillows, rugs, wall art, and blanket throws in colors from your chosen palette will pull the room together and offer versatility and ease if you decide to change your colors in the future.

Interior Designers Houston – Hollywood Glam Design Style - Bathroom

The predominant colors in the typical Hollywood Glam bathroom are black and white, but they are not the only choices to achieve the look of Old Hollywood glamour. While black and white allows for a wider choice of accent colors, bold, colorful wallpaper, paint and tiling are also used with wonderful results. Most Old Hollywood bathrooms incorporate either geometric or plant patterns into their design. The size of the bathroom is key to your choice of colors and patterns; for the best results, bigger is better.

The bathtub or shower stall is the star of the Hollywood Glam bathroom. A free-standing bathtub in either modern or vintage style on a geometric patterned tile floor, or a large shower stall with intricately patterned mosaic walls and clear glass doors is the showstopper you want in your glamorous bathroom.

Walls can be painted in solid colors, papered in large leaf patterns, tiled in geometric designs, or various combinations of the three. If tiled, you can incorporate your color preferences in the tiles for a unique look. A bold wallpaper can be used to great effect above solid painted wainscoting. Walls painted in single colors will accent geometric designs in floor tiles.

Marble vanity tops and sinks with brass fittings will make your bathroom gleam. There is even glitter grouting available to add a subtle sparkle to tiled walls and floors. Incorporating crystal and brass wall sconces in a classic art deco design provides the finishing touch to your Hollywood Glam style bathroom.

Interior Designers Houston – Hollywood Glam Design Style - Kitchen

Many interior designers choose a dark color palette for Old Hollywood style kitchens. Cupboards may be painted navy blue, dark teal, deep plum, black or other dark, lush jewel tones. Glass fronted cupboards can keep the kitchen from feeling too dark. A lighter color may be used in shiny marble or granite countertops to great effect. If you prefer a lighter space, white cupboards with dark-painted outlines can be paired with black marble or granite countertops.

Backsplash designs can include the same marble or granite as the countertops, glass, mosaics, or tiles and may incorporate geometric patterns. Ceilings can be covered in unexpected ways including vintage pressed tin, or a more modern tufted leather look. A designer might look for new appliances in a vintage style, but modern appliances can be seamlessly incorporated into a Hollywood Glam kitchen.

With drama provided by the cupboards, ceiling and backsplash, floors and walls can be more subdued without detracting from the overall aesthetic. Wooden floors and classic black and white tiled floors are the most popular choices, but a nice geometric or nature pattern wouldn’t go amiss for your Hollywood kitchen floor. Walls may be painted in a neutral color that complements the painted cupboards. Any art should be placed in a way that does not cause the space to look cluttered.

Interior Designers Houston – Old Hollywood Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Nordic-Inspired Design Style

There is some confusion about the differences between Nordic Inspired Design and Scandinavian Design. It’s principally a matter of geography. Scandinavia consists of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Denmark is not actually part of the Scandinavian peninsula, but its history is so closely intertwined with both Norway and Sweden it is considered a Scandinavian country. These three countries’ design styles are grouped under the umbrella of Scandinavian Design. 

Nordic Inspired Design is a much bigger umbrella, as it includes the three Scandinavian countries plus Finland, Iceland, Greenland (which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark), and a couple of small autonomous regions belonging to Finland and Denmark. So, while Scandinavian Design is included in Nordic Inspired Design, Nordic Design is not included in Scandinavian Design. The two terms are used interchangeably, however, and the similarities between the two styles are greater than the differences.  

Nordic Inspired Design combines Swedish minimalism with Danish romanticism to create a warm, welcoming, functional space. The use of native wood is prevalent in Nordic Design. Colors tend to be mostly neutral shades.  

Comfort and functionality are the primary considerations in Nordic Inspired Design. The main characteristics of both Nordic and Scandinavian Design are clean lines, natural light, minimalism, natural materials, neutral colors, textiles, lighting, and plants.  

A Nordic Inspired Design home will have features evoking nature and the outdoors. Each room radiates warmth and welcome with comfortable upholstery, cozy textiles, curved wood accents, peaceful colors, open spaces, lack of clutter, functionality, and plants. 

Interior Designers Houston – Nordic-Inspired Design Style - Living Room

The Nordic Design style living room is a soothing oasis that provides a cozy, uncluttered place to curl up with a book, as well as a welcoming space for friends and conversation. Furniture is limited to functional pieces with clean lines, and no space is sacrificed for purely ornamental items. Upholstery is often a solid, neutral color; leather is a popular choice. Wood is the favored choice for non-upholstered furniture. In the Nordic countries, the wood is generally locally sourced, sleek, smooth and gracefully curved.  

Nature and the outdoors are highly valued in Nordic countries, and this is reflected in their love of houseplants. Filling corners, shelves and hearths with plants brings outdoors inside and provides many beneficial effects such as purifying the air and reducing stress. Plants are preferred over knick-knacks that gather dust and have no practical use. 

Your Nordic inspired walls will be white, or a neutral shade that is nearly white. Windows will be more prominent than artwork, which will most likely consist of a single painting or print on an otherwise unornamented wall. Natural wood floors are favored, with solid or simply patterned area rugs in neutral colors. There will be plenty of open space and a light, clean, airy ambience to the room. 

Interior Designers Houston – Nordic-Inspired Design Style - Master Bedroom

A Nordic Inspired Design bedroom is based on the axiom that less is more. Less furniture creates more space. A limited color palette fosters an airy atmosphere. Minimal window treatments equal more natural light. Less bric-a-brac leads to a more serene ambience, an important element in a room where relaxation is required. 

Walls will generally be painted in neutral colors, or even whitewashed. Original architectural elements such as open ceiling beams, a brick wall, shiplap ceilings and floors, and arched entryways are left intact to highlight the history of the building. Wall art is minimal, and functional use of walls with the utilization of painted wooden hooks or floating shelves is encouraged. Window treatments that allow for maximum natural light are preferred. Gauzy white sheer panels, linen drapes, and wood or linen window shades are all options for achieving privacy without sacrificing light. 

Hardwood floors of light-colored wood are desirable in most Nordic inspired rooms. Fluffy sheepskin rugs, or woven rugs with simple geometric patterns add both literal and figurative warmth to the room. In your Nordic Inspired bedroom, the bed can be any size. It can have a headboard, a footboard, both, or neither. It can be modern or antique, wood or metal. A designer can integrate many bed styles into the Nordic Inspired Design with simple dressings, including the use of white bed linens, a cozy duvet with a solid, neutral tone cover, a hand-knit or wool blanket throw, and a single accent pillow.  

Other bedroom furnishings should be kept to a minimum. Wooden furniture with clean lines and iconic curved edges is the norm, but not required to achieve the Nordic appeal. A low, wide dresser can be painted or whitewashed and placed against a wall to provide plenty of storage space. An antique wooden chair can serve as a nightstand. An old wooden ladder placed against a wall can hold extra blankets.  Each piece of furniture should have a practical function. 

To finish off your Nordic Inspired Design bedroom, add plants, fill an antique vase with dried flowers and place it on a shelf or dresser, hang a favorite hat or scarf on a wall hook... find a way to place something that shows off your personality in the room.  

Interior Designers Houston – Nordic-Inspired Design Style - Bathroom

A Nordic Inspired Design bathroom follows the tenets of Nordic design: clean lines, functionality, natural beauty, natural light, minimalism, natural materials, and neutral colors. Appliances are streamlined and energy efficient, light-colored woods are used for vanities and shelves, natural light is maximized, artificial light is subtle and energy efficient, clutter is eschewed in favor of minimalism, and nature is celebrated.  

Bathroom walls will be painted or tiled in white or light neutral colors. Natural stone might also be used, especially in shower enclosures. Floors may also be either tiled or natural stone. If wood is used for flooring, it must be meticulously sealed to prevent water damage. As much of the floor and walls as possible should remain uninterrupted by frivolous decor, to retain the impression of abundant space. Large windows are desired to provide maximum natural light and foster a connection to the outdoors. In the absence of large windows, consider installing strategically placed skylights to capture as much sunlight as possible. For artificial light, look for hanging pendant lights or simple wall sconces and use with energy efficient lightbulbs or dimming capability. 

Built-in storage is often utilized in Nordic Inspired bathrooms, to keep necessary items out of sight and maintain a clutter-free look. Hidden cupboards and drawers can hold towels, paper goods, and other normal bathroom items without disturbing the Nordic character of the room. 

Sleek, modern appliances that promote water conservation are favored in the Nordic Inspired bathroom. White is the favored shade for bathroom appliances, in keeping with the Nordic aesthetic of neutral colors, light and airiness. A freestanding bathtub with smooth round sides can be tucked into an alcove, or given pride of place in front of a large window. Shower stalls tend to be surrounded by floors to clear glass ceiling walls, increasing the impression of open space. The showerhead, bathtub and sink taps, and other metallic features are non-reflective brushed nickel or matte black. The bathroom sink may be installed in a natural wood vanity, or it could be mounted on a wall with no visible pipes. The toilet should be low flow, with dual flush feature. For a more pleasing aesthetic, choose a toilet with a hidden cistern.  

Textiles should include plush towels, natural fiber rugs, and woven basketry. Utilize small baskets to hold miniature soaps and other necessities. A large basket can hold rolled towels. The trashcan could be made of wicker or rattan. 

Decorative items should be kept to a minimum. A simply framed black and white photograph on a wall, a white vase filled with lavender on a countertop, a small potted plant on the floor, and a candle on a windowsill or tucked into a niche are sufficient to achieve the Nordic desire for hygge (hoog-uh), finding joy in simple comforts.  

Finally, if you have enough space in your bathroom, consider installing a personal sauna, either a traditional Finnish sauna, or a modern infrared sauna, for the ultimate Nordic bathroom. 

Interior Designers Houston – Nordic-Inspired Design Style - Kitchen

Nordic Inspired Design kitchens are often all white but may also feature pale neutral hues. Open space, clean lines and functionality create a clean, airy room with a spacious feel regardless of the actual size of the space. A kitchen island provides added storage space, workspace, and seating space. In some cases, the kitchen island is replaced with a kitchen table, which also provides all the above except storage space.  

Flat fronted kitchen cabinets, painted white and sporting unobtrusive hardware, are favored. The removal of upper cabinetry to accommodate more unobstructed wall space is also on trend. To make up for the loss of storage space, the lower cabinetry often extends from wall to wall. If the upper cabinetry is retained, installing glass-fronted doors can give the illusion of more space. Marble, granite, or butcher block countertops should have a clean, uncluttered look. 

Stainless steel appliances are favored as the muted silver color coexists nicely with the neutral color palette. All modern kitchen appliances will fit into the Nordic aesthetic. The surface should be uncluttered and clean.  

Floors are generally hardwood, sometimes painted or whitewashed. Art in the Nordic Inspired kitchen follows the “less is more” sensibility of Nordic design. Drop lighting in a simple design can provide a splash of color. 

Other design styles can be successfully integrated with Nordic Inspired Design in the kitchen, particularly Industrial and Farmhouse. 

Interior Designers Houston – Eclecticism in Architecture Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Modern Interior Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Scandinavian Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Industrial Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Rustic Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – French Country Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Maximalism Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Eclectic Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Southwestern Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Mediterranean Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Asian Zen Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Asian Décor Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Feng Shui Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Urban Modern Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Organic Modern Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Neo-Industrial Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Americana Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – 70s Revival – 1970s Revival Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – English Cottage Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Modern Cottage Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Moroccan Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Retro Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Southern European Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Style Moderne Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – Asian Harmony Design Style

Interior Designers Houston – English Country Design Style