Interior Design and Architecture Through Ages

Over the years, interior design and architecture styles have greatly evolved in response to the changing tastes of various cultures. Popular styles today have transcended from the previous styles. Read on to learn more about the history of interior design and architecture styles through ages and decide which one suits you best! 

Stone Age (6500-5700 BC)

Neolithic age decorations had wall paintings, plaster reliefs, animal heads, benches and pillars.

Egyptian (2700-30 BC)

There were fabulous interior designs in mortar and mud huts. They were decorated with simple furniture and animal skins/textiles, vases, scriptures, murals. Even monumental architecture began with the inception of the Egyptian Pyramids. Colossal designs were common during this time

Neolithic Europe (2000 BC)

Stonehenge, an astronomical observatory of the day in modern day England, helped to improve the geometrical sense of design. This period added a feeling of order, symmetry, and rhythm which are  important today in modern design.

Greek (1200-31 BC)

Greek had a great concern for proportion and harmony for the construction of buildings. This design was characterized by flat roofs resting on high columns. The Greeks also contributed stone reliefs and sculptures to modern day design.

Roman Design (753 BC - 480 AD)

Roman design had elements of Greek and Etruscan styles. During this time there were innovations like the curved arch and round temple, with important concrete building methods.

Byzantine Design (500-1500 AD)

Byzantine design is well known for its contribution of the "dome" to modern day design. Icon painting and church architecture were other valuable contributions.

Gothic (1140-1400 AD)

Gothic style is popularly known for its vertical emphasis, pointed arch, expansive use of windows and marble faced exteriors. It is famous as the architecture of many great cathedrals, castles and palaces of Europe. Limestone, sandstone and Purbek marble were commonly used for sculptural decorations and architectural features.

Renaissance (1400-1600 AD)

Renaissance style introduced the concepts of symmetry and orderly planning especially in the small details of arches, pilasters, and moldings. Interiors organized in the plan of a cross were popular. Walls were covered with paintings of mythological and allegorical subjects framed with sculptural figures and florid decorative details.

Baroque (1600-1700 AD)

An emphasis on elaborate ornamentation, three dimensional elements in walls and ceilings, and illusions of space appeared in Baroque design. Designs with large spaces can be seen throughout. They had varied colors and painted settings filled with movement in figures. Curves presented a sense of excitement and movement and oval and elliptical shapes were preferred to square, rectangular and circular shapes.

Traditional (1700 - Now)

Traditional Design developed from the Neoclassical and Georgian periods (1714-1880). This style focuses on antique furnishings, rich colors and symmetrical room layouts. It has a formal feeling and typically embodies a certain period in history, particularly based on 18th-19th century European and American designs.

Neoclassical Style (1789-1880 AD)

The Neoclassical style was inspired from the classical design of Roman and Greek empires but took on a more rectilinear and geometric quality. Carved and gilded detail were typical. Mahogany and window draperies were key features.

Tropical (1800 - Now)

This casual coastal style gets its inspiration from coastal living. Beach textures and imagery such as wood, rattan, sea-grass, silks, cottons, bamboo, palm prints can be seen in this style. Common colors draw their cues from the sea, plants and food of hot climates including blues, greens, pinks, corals, greens and yellows.

Victorian (1837-1850 AD)

The Industrial Revolution resulted in the manufacture decorative ornamentation, leading to a great abundance of it in design. Pointed arches used to generate interiors departed from any historic antecedents. The term eclectic came to be used through this diverse style.

Tuscan (1840- Now)

Influenced by Roman architecture and design, Tuscan style utilizes materials such as marble, stone, locally made brick and terracotta mix with woods and textiles. These materials create a style that combines elegance with comfort.

Arts & Crafts (1860-1910 AD)

In reaction to the Industrial Revolution, a movement towards honest simplicity and quality gained momentum. Handcrafted goods, instead of mass produced machine-made items, were made.

Rustic (1870 - Now)

Rustic, or Frontier Style, came from a necessity in country living for those who were living on the frontier. Log cabins and lodges with this style have open, airy rooms with large columns and wooden beams. Handcrafted furnishings ranging from antique chairs, to leather sofas to barn wood tables and metalwork recall earlier eras from 19th century Americana to early Spanish ironwork.

Asian (1900 - Now)

Asian style is known for its functionality and purity of form and natural materials including screens, futons, and mats. Japanese inspired furnishings lack ornamentation of popular traditional design while Chinese style features rich ornamentation of carved furniture and richer colors

Eclectic (1900 - Now)

Eclectic design embraces all periods and styles of decorating, and is unified through colors, shapes, and textures.

Colonial (1905 - Now) 

European style which was developed by the colonists in the Americas and can still be seen in neighborhoods on the East coast of America. The key is symmetry with rich classical influence with columns and pilasters, elaborate entryways and elegant ornamentation. Interiors have a strong Georgian influence and detail with fine wood paneling, ornamental plaster ceiling and Chippendale-style furniture.

Modern (1918-1950 AD)

The Modern Movement was a journey from the traditional toward a more current design styles. Inspired by a new machine aesthetic and belief that form follows function - it stripped away unnecessary ornament from the interior. Use of bold primary colors and plastic, laminated plywood and fiberglass are often used.

Country (1920-1970 AD)

Casual, livable combination of styles from around the world inspired by the provincial style of European country homes and American farmhouses. It is a blend of functionality with vintage and heirloom pieces that tell a story through their imperfections.

Art Deco (1920-1960)

Considered as as the mother of the Modernist movement, this style is well known for its straight lines and geometric shapes influenced by Greek, Roman and Egyptian Styles. Popular ornaments include chevrons, sunbursts and zig-zags. Popular surfaces and materials include mirrored and lacquered surfaces, aluminum, stainless steel and chrome.

Mediterranean (1920 - Now)

A fusion of the casual, coastal style found in European countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea (i.e. Spain, France, Italy and Greece) as well as California (or, Napa style). This style embraces the natural landscape and coastal climate of these area with use of materials such as natural stone, terracotta, stucco, and plaster walls.

Scandinavian Modern ( 1930- Now)

It's famous for the light, airy, livable, modern and minimalist design which shows the smooth, straight lines and sleek designs of modern Swedish styling.

Transitional (1950 - Now)

A mixture of modern and traditional designs which takes classic furniture pieces and mixes in contemporary materials, softening the formal details and ornamentation of formal furniture and decor.

Contemporary (1980 - Now)

Contemporary design has clean, smooth lines resulting in an uncluttered look marked by minimal ornamentation. Neutral colors, stainless steel and wood furniture are commonly used.