The Most Popular (Modern) Interior Design Styles for 2021

Interior design comes in a range of formats and formulas, sometimes utterly distinct and other times only with the subtlest of differences. Yet each presents its own flavor, finish, and experience that render a space unique. Knowing what sets different interior design styles apart may be a lot handier than you realize, especially when picking the perfect style for your space.

Office Upgraded is here to help you achieve visual perfection with a lot less hassle, clear up the confusion, and answer all your questions.

To begin, the modern style is a broad, umbrella term for design styles united by a common intention. The Modernist Style, born at the dawn of the 20th century, reinvented our relationship with space and aesthetics to bring us closer in touch with it. Often, these interiors are a complex overlay of functional programming, careful compositions, and consideration of lines and geometry. Functional, and visual style, are emphasized and embellished.

To achieve this look, focus on grey and metallic finishes, along with simple and stylish accessories. A single bookcase on one wall will provide storage and keep your space organized — minimalism and modernism go hand in hand.

Closely related, the Minimalist Style was sparked by the Minimalist arts movement in the 1960s and 70s, and inspired by the traditional Japanese design and Zen philosophy. Elements and motifs are kept to a bare minimum, with concealed storage and careful detailing playing their due part. Colors are explored, but in hushed tones, with an accent piece taking center stage. Clutter and mess are kept hidden, with the focal points being clean and contemporary.

Minimalism offers an aesthetic that relies on the efficiency of the design, devoid of clutter or distractions. Minimalist interiors are streamlined to maximize bold visual impacts and use space wisely. The repetition of movement of lines and a generous introduction of natural light keep these interiors light and dynamic.

Mid-Century Modern, a style that reflects the same clean, simple lines as modern and minimalism, gained momentum in the aftermath of the Second World War. This arm of modernist interior design is set apart by its vivid use of color, crisp lines, and interactive dialogues with nature and the outdoors.

Color palettes typically involve hues of orange, yellow, green, and brown, although deviations are not uncommon. Generous, open-layout interiors and broad interfaces between the home and its natural surroundings are common, and a functional and visual clarity is integral to the Modernist style that marks these spaces.

Moving back into a more modern style, the Industrial Style celebrates efficiency and functionality by transforming the working parts of a building into its primary aesthetic.

Beams, columns, pipes, ducts, and flanges render these interiors with a more masculine overtone, not shying away from weight or roughness and embracing the worn, recycled, and salvaged. Often the style choice in warehouse conversions and loft remodels, this style can be brought into your home with brickwork, neutral grays and browns, iron or steel, and vintage furniture and décor.

While picking the perfect style for your space can be a challenge, if you are looking for a clean, modern, and interesting space, any of these styles would be a perfect fit. Adding your own unique touches to any of these inspirational images can create a unique space and an enviable office.

If you are looking for a space that is a touch less modern, but just as functional, check out our more classic and chic styles in The Most Popular (Classic-Chic) Interior Design Styles for 2021.