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Four high-end interior styles
There are plenty of interior styles to choose from: classic, bohemian, country, modern, Scandinavian, industrial, vintage, retro and more besides.
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If you are looking specifically within the high-end segment, the choice narrows to four:
- Luxury
- Classic
- Modern
- Industrial chic
Below we take these styles one by one: how you create them, and what to do and what to leave. Whether they can be combined comes at the end.
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How to create the luxury look
A luxury interior rests on balance: gloss against matt, light against dark. Where that balance holds, the room becomes calm. The style itself comes from the materials, fabrics and colours. Rich materials such as marble, velvet, natural stone, metal and leather carry it, and dark oak belongs here as well. In colour, earthy tones work, along with grey, beige and dark green: shades that bring calm into the house, especially when you use them tone on tone. Keep the number of accessories down, because too many make the room look untidy. Choose a few objects that may draw attention instead, such as a fine sculpture or large pots with plants.
Pieces that suit a luxury interior:
- Black steel interior doors with clear glass
- Timber wall panelling
- Dark oak cabinets
- A velvet armchair
The blog 8 tips for a luxury interior covers this style in more depth.
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What completes a classic interior
The classic style goes back to Roman and Greek antiquity. Think of authentic elements such as ornamental work on the ceiling. Typical of a classic interior are herringbone floors, chandeliers, velvet curtains, dining tables with marble tops and leather sofas in light shades. Colours that belong to this style:
- White
- Taupe
- Dark blue
- Cream
- Gold
- Silver
- Old rose
White or cream works well as the base colour, with taupe alongside it and gold as an accent. Tone on tone suits this style too and keeps the whole harmonious. Add some brocante furniture, pieces with a past, and the picture is complete.
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What makes an interior industrial chic
If you want something more playful that still reads as high end, industrial chic is the direction to look in. The industrial side brings concrete floors, scaffolding pipe and robust materials such as wood, metal and leather. The chic side answers with suede, velvet, marble and gold-coloured metal. The two combine well: the contrast between the raw and the polished is what gives the interior its tension.
A marble dining table on a wooden floor, lit by industrial lamps, is a good starting point. Guard against making the room too busy; restraint does the work here. Black, brown, grey, beige and green suit the style. These are dark, muted colours, so the house needs enough daylight to keep the rooms from turning gloomy. A fireplace wall makes a fine centrepiece.
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Combining the styles
You do not have to pick just one. The styles mix well: classic with modern, for instance, or industrial with luxury for a rougher edge. Do watch the unity of the whole. Mix too many styles and the high-end feeling is the first thing to go; the interior turns busy and undecided.
For all of these styles the same rule holds: less is more. Choose a limited number of good pieces, such as a sofa by Macazz, a well-made coffee table, generous wall cabinets and a few large plants. And before you buy anything, ask whether it fits the style you have chosen.
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More examples
With the four styles side by side, you can begin to work out which one suits you. Perhaps you already know; perhaps you would rather see more first.
In that case, the LookBook is free to download.
It shows how these styles look in real projects, and it includes practical suggestions for a balanced layout and a home that feels like yours.
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