If you long for a casual styled room that is homely, warm, comfortable and inviting, combine certain basic elements to create a truly casual room. Casual rooms should have simple details, textured elements in fabrics and accessories, restful horizontal lines, soft upholstery, low lustre surfaces and arrangements that avoid perfect symmetry. Casual decorating is easily incorporated into rustic, French country cottage, shabby chic, American style or Indian setting. Furniture in a casual setting should be soft and comfortable. Upholstered pieces are usually oversized.

Formal style

In a formal style interior, a central focal point draws an eye. It might be a beautiful picture window looking out to a perfectly manicured lawn or an exquisite piece of furniture. Since formal setting is decorated to attract attention and possible envy of others, highly polished woods, glistening mirrors, luxurious and sensual fabrics, sparkling chandeliers and interesting pieces of furniture are important. Wood used is generally dark and rich looking.
Wooden furniture is usually of a dark tone, mahogany, walnut or oak. Exotic hardwoods are used for their fine grain and elegant look. Wood furniture pieces are polished to a high shine. For an active home, use several layers of lacquer or polyurethane to create a durable finish.

Many formal interiors have carved mirrors hanging in matched pairs. They help to define a space and enlarge the visual feeling of the space. Instead of gold leafing, highlight details with shiny gold paint.

Lighting textures of crystal or brass with delicate silk shades, create a formal look. An inexpensive chandelier can be spray painted to get the metallic look that is desired. Chandeliers look elegant and formal in a large living room or a formal dining room. Decorative accessories are used to add a formal look in a room. Choose shiny metals, plates and vases of china or porcelain or leather bound books.

Real or artificial plants and flowers, placed in interesting and elegant containers, add texture and colour to a formal interior.

A dining room is the perfect place to introduce a formal look. Choose from a wide range of elegant and beautiful china, crystal or silver. A simple gold banded dinner plate set atop elegant linens with sparkling silver flatware create a perfect formal setting for dining.

Contemporary style

If you are the current, modern, ‘today - right now’ person, then contemporary style of decorating is for you. Though it has been thought that modern interiors are cold and minimalist, today’s contemporary interiors are comfortable and welcoming without being cluttered and dark.

A contemporary home can be a quiet and comfortable retreat. Contemporary interiors showcase space rather than things. By focussing on colour, space and shape, contemporary interiors are sleek and fresh.

Certain characteristics and elements of contemporary style decorating are:

Colour : Neutrals, black and white are the main colours in contemporary interiors. The palette is often punched up and accented with bright and bold colours. Black is often used to define a contemporary room. With walls painted in a base neutral, you can have a wonderful backdrop for bold accessories. If the wall is bright, bold colours, neutrals should be used everywhere else.

Line and space: The most obvious and distinctive element of a contemporary interior design is line. In contemporary interiors , less is more. Each piece stands out as individual and unique. Generous use of metal, stone and opaque or clear glass, works well in a room decorated in a contemporary style. To soften and warm up the space , add heavily textured fabrics in plain colours for window treatments, pillows or rugs. Plants and flowers should be large and dramatic in simple containers. Large blooms with interesting leaves work better than small arrangements. If space allows, place upward focussing lights around a large plant on the floor. In the dining room, keep dinnerware contemporary. There are a number of geometric shapes, bold colours and interesting styles available.

Traditional style

Traditional style interiors are comforting and classic. There is nothing wild or chaotic in a traditional room. It is calm, orderly and can be somewhat predictable. Traditional and formal styles can be similar in some respects. In both, symmetry is extremely important. Furniture in both formal and traditional interiors is often arranged on a straight axis and centred within the room. In addition, furnishings and accessories are often seen in pairs and straight lines are contrasted with curved details. The point where formal and traditional part ways is the degree of interpretation. Formal is somewhat rigid, symmetrical and almost too shiny and perfect, often using expensive period furnishings and fine antiques. Traditional rooms are less grand and a bit more casual, often using less expensive reproductions and accessories and fewer fussy details.

Colours in a traditional room are often mid range, though very dark and very light can also be used. Pretty multicoloured florals are often the basis of a traditional colour scheme that uses the lightest colour on the walls and deeper hues for upholstery and flooring. Avoid neon bright and jarring lights. The overall ambience of a traditional décor is homely, understated and non jarring. Wood furniture will usually have a mix of straight and curved lines.There may be light carving details as well. While wood pieces will often be finished with darker stains, a traditional room might also use lighter woods as long as the lines of each piece are classic.

Accessories include pair of lamps, urns, plants, mirrors, framed prints, china, vases and collection of books. Pairs of objects are usually arranged in balanced symmetry. Light fixtures exhibit classic styling. Lamps with silk shades and floor lamps can be used. Shades should be fairly plain and in ivory or white. Traditional dining rooms can show a variety of china, glassware or silver. Use either beautiful tablecloths or pretty fabric placemats and napkins.

Whether you are decorating a single room or a whole house, you will find these style guides for decorating helpful. The style guides will help you focus on your likes and dislikes and learn elements that will help you achieve your dream room or make your home express your unique taste.