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When you decorate and buy items for your home, it helps if you know your personal decorating style. There are many different styles, each with its own distinctive look and personality.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular decorating style to help you identify which fits you best.

Industrial

Industrial design is inspired by the Industrial Revolution that brought about so many changes, especially in England and the United States around the turn of the last century. This style is popular in modern restaurants, cafes and clubs as well as homes. Urban lofts are a good setting for industrial but you can also incorporate it into any type of home. Furniture and decor in this style are often made from unfinished wood as well as steel and other metals. The look has a raw and unfinished look.

Mid-Century Modern

Design from the mid-20th century is very popular right now. Mid-Century modern covers the period roughly from the 1930s to the 1960s and is characterized by a minimalistic style, clean lines, a variety of materials and functionality. Some retailers that carry this type of furniture include DWR, Knoll and Herman Miller. You can also often find many nice pieces from this period in thrift shops and auctions.

Shabby Chic

Shabby chic is a method of home decorating that seeks out items that are or at least appear to be old and a bit worn. With this style, you can collect your pieces almost anywhere, from antique stores to flea markets to eBay. Some examples of this style include furniture made of distressed wood, worn Persian rugs, antique oil paintings and old lamps.

Nautical

While some styles come from a particular place or historical period, nautical is a timeless decorating style that incorporates elements taken from ships and coastal locations around the world. In the U.S., however, it often overlaps with New England style furnishings and decor. Colors, of course, tend to be shades of blue and green. Captain’s beds, nautical maps, seascape paintings and nautical patterns in your rugs all bring the relaxing ambiance of the sea into your home.

Farmhouse

The rustic farmhouse look is not only for rural cabins. It adds a simple charm to any type of home. You can incorporate this style by collecting items such as farmhouse tables and antique farm implements found in antique stores. If you want to take it a step further, follow in the footsteps of shows like American Pickers and look for items people are willing to part with from actual farms and barns. A simpler way to acquire items in this style is to visit stores such as Pottery Barn or World Market.

Urban Modern

While inspired by the styles of modern apartments and lofts around the world, this is another style you can adapt to any setting. It overlaps to some extent with Industrial but also includes more contemporary features and also tends to be more polished. Modern urban furniture and decor are usually minimalistic, with an emphasis on geometric design. This style also freely borrows from a variety of other styles such as ethnic and tribal styles from around the world.

These home decorating styles each have their own charms. You don’t necessarily have to stick strictly to one style. In some cases, it’s fun to mix and match. It’s especially fun to decorate a brand-new home and create your own personal style.

If you’re planning to have a home built, Covenant Homes is the builder that will work closely with you every step of the way to help you create your dream home. Find out why Covenant Homes is the best choice to work with on building a new home.