Interior decorating styles come and go. They overlap, fade out, re-emerge and change along with the times. As this all happens furniture styles change along with general interior styles. Styles also have different names in different countries, arrive in different countries at different times. Styles are not fixed or hard guidelines, but are more like a set of characteristics that are generally recognizable as a specific style.

An understanding of different styles can help when trying to buy furniture. A brief description of different styles are listed below. These are not a comprehensive list of all styles, but a gathering of a brief description for easy digestion. Currently popular styles include contemporary (as it must be), Mission, Country, Retro, Art Deco, Tropical.

Contemporary Furniture Style
Mission Furniture Style
Arts and Craft Furniture Style
American Country Furniture Style
Retro Furniture Style
Jacobean Furniture Style
English Country Furniture Style
Bohemian Furniture Style
Tropical Furniture Style


Architecture like interior design progresses through different styles. Architectural styles influence interior design styles, as the interior design must work appropiately with the physical structure. In saying this, interior design styles change more rapidly than architectural styles, but it is always worth keeping in mind how large an influence architectural styles have on furniture and interior design styles.