by Christina Wright
Home decor can be difficult to tackle. Maybe you're a new homeowner trying to decorate the new house you worked so hard to buy, or maybe it's time for a style change but you don't know where to begin. While style is highly personal and comprised more by all the details and accessories you own than any one big piece, it's good to know some of the home decor basics and the popular styles. Mix and match your favorite elements of multiple styles or go all the way with one style. Read on to learn about the top home decor styles.
Country home decor: Perennially popular, this style is highly creative. Rustic themes in home decor are prevalent here, along with a happy mix of patterns and colors in fabrics and accessories. Vintage gingham and floral materials are always popular in country home decor. Handmade treasures of wrought iron and wood, farm animal themes, pottery, vintage signs and other decorative accessories are often found in this style.
French country home decor: Distressed finishes are popular in French country decorating. Distinctive toile fabrics and lace, vibrant colors and natural materials are used in this home decor style. Elaborate wrought-iron light fixtures might complement motifs of Provence, such as lavender, grapes and sunflowers. French country home decor is all about the contrast of colors and textures; for example, many French countryside homes have pale, plastered walls and dark wood beams, so feel free to experiment.
Cottage home decor: This style of home decor is inspired by the homes of Cape Cod and uses natural fabrics and home decorations of wood, sisal, seashells, wicker and whitewash for a casual, light ambience. Botanical accessories and light fabrics are favorites in this home decor style, as are colors reminiscent of the ocean: beiges, sea greens and light blues.
Contemporary home decor: Vibrant graphics and bold colors in accessories and furniture that is often more fun than functional are what this style is all about. Strong lines and geometric shapes bring an avant-garde feel to your home, as do metal and acrylic furniture and accessories. Large-scale posters and abstract sculpture lend a strong impact to this popular modern home decor.
Traditional home decor: Balance, warmth and welcome define traditional home decor. Warm woods, a prominent area rug, cozy printed fabrics and pillows trimmed in fringe or tassels carry the style. If a lamp looks great on that sofa end table, a matching one at the other end will maintain the balance of traditional home decor. Pretty picture frames, silk florals and still-life paintings are good decorative accessory choices in this decor.
