Decorating without a plan is a bit like cooking without a recipe. If you’re a seasoned cook, you’ll likely whip up something really tasty, but if you’re a first-timer, you’ll probably end up wishing you’d ordered a pizza instead. The first step to being in the former camp is to understand what you like to eat—or, in this case, to decorate with. Ascribing to one particular style isn’t necessary, but understanding the elements of the most popular aesthetics will help lay the groundwork.
According to Decorist, a popular online design platform, the top five most requested styles are, in order of popularity: traditional, modern, transitional, eclectic, and mid-century modern. So we asked five interior designers who are experts in those looks to describe each—and explain how to incorporate them into your home. Class is in session.