Have you ever found yourself drawn to a particular look for your home, but weren’t quite sure how to bring it to life? Maybe you love the relaxed feel of Coastal Chic, the warmth of farmhouse style, or the elegance of French-inspired interiors.
This is where many people run into a little confusion. The terms decorating style and decorating theme often get used interchangeably, but they actually describe two different approaches to decorating a space.
For example, someone might discover they love Coastal Chic and start collecting seashells, rope accents, and anchor décor to recreate the look. The intention is to bring coastal inspiration into the home, but that approach leans more toward a theme than a style.
The difference is fairly simple once you see it. A decorating style is a feeling created through colors, textures, materials, and shapes that reflect your personality and the atmosphere you want in your home. It’s an interpretation of a look. A decorating theme focuses on literal elements that represent a specific idea or subject.
A decorating style is an interpretation of a look, while a decorating theme is a literal version of that look.
Neither approach is right or wrong. They’re simply two different ways of decorating. Understanding the difference can help you decide which direction feels right for your home.
When you look closely, there are two simple things that usually separate a decorating style from a decorating theme.
- Items vs. overall feeling and
- Quantity
These two factors play a big role in how inspiration shows up in a space.
1. Decorating with literal items vs creating an overall feeling
In many themed rooms, the inspiration shows up through specific objects that represent the idea directly. When you walk into the space, the theme is usually obvious right away.
Think about a beach-themed room. You might see vintage oars on the wall, nautical pillows, seashell artwork, a surfboard-style lamp, or in a child’s room, even a bed shaped like a boat.
A decorating style works a little differently. Instead of relying on literal objects, it focuses on creating the overall feeling of the inspiration.
For example, a room with a beachy style might not include items that represent the ocean at all. Instead, the space might reflect the colors of water, the textures of sand, natural woods, and relaxed fabrics. There may still be a few shells or coastal accents mixed in, but they’re just small touches rather than the main focus.
2.Quantity makes a difference
French décor continues to be very popular, and as many people begin incorporating this style into their homes, they often look for items that seem obviously “French.” These might include décor with a fleur-de-lis, pieces with French script, images of the Eiffel Tower, fluffy white poodles, or items that literally say “Paris.”
When several of these types of items are used together in a room, the result usually feels more like a decorating theme. A few recognizable elements won’t necessarily create a theme, but when many literal items appear together, the inspiration becomes the main focus of the room.
Creating a decorating style works a little differently. Instead of relying on objects that directly represent the inspiration, a style focuses on the colors, textures, materials, finishes, and shapes that create the overall feeling.
For example:
• Instead of a gold tray for the coffee table that literally says “Paris,” you might choose one with an antique mirrored finish that gives a brocante feel.
• Instead of accent pillows covered in fleur-de-lis, you might use linen or velvet pillows in soft, muted colors.
When several pieces like this come together, the room begins to reflect a French style rather than a French theme.
Which one to create?
The decision to decorate with a style or a theme ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and how you want the space to feel.
Decorating with a theme can be a fun way to bring a specific idea into a room. In general, themes tend to feel a bit more playful and whimsical. Themed décor is also often easy to shop for since stores frequently group similar items together. Many people choose to use a theme in a single room or space, where the inspiration can really stand out.
A decorating style works a little differently. Instead of focusing on specific themed objects, a style is usually created through colors, textures, materials, and shapes that reflect the inspiration behind the space. Because of this, a decorating style often carries naturally throughout multiple rooms in a home for cohesion.
Both approaches can create beautiful and meaningful spaces. What matters most is choosing the one that best reflects your personality and the atmosphere you want in your home.
Whether you incorporate a decorating style or a theme into your home, both say something about your interests and help make your space uniquely yours.
Do you have any themed rooms in your home?
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Best decorating tutorial I’ve read in quite awhile! Over time I seem to have switched to a “theme” in my home decorating endeavors. Thanks for inspiring my inner “style” again! Great article!
Hi Lisa – Thank you so much for the nice compliment! I’m glad you enjoyed the article. :) Kim
Clear explanations for theme vs style, thank you for putting words to what I’ve instinctively done all these years. We have 2 stories and have done the lower level, which includes the master ensuite, in an Island Colonial style because that is what we are drawn to and we literally live on a peninsula of Florida’s east coast. Polished dark cherry & mahogany , white walls, cream soft furnishing, high contrast, floor to ceiling oils of boats & ships, blue chinoiserie and of course palms because that’s what you see out every window. Because we having been making home for over 45 years we have a collected home so style works best with all our accumulations. But the 2nd level has 2 grandchild bedroom en suites & a den which are defiantly more themed. Girls room is Granny Chic antique quilts, lace, chenille, rag rugs, florals & gingham with many items from our grandmothers while Boys room is Camp Cowboy in a vintage 1950s-60s way with items from our camping days .The den is American Country. I always felt slightly fickle in my decorating but you’ve helped me understand and made me more comfortable in my home. Thanks.
I enjoy the more subtle approach of style. Interesting post. Thanks for pointing out the differences.
Hi Teddee! So glad you enjoyed it! :) Kim
very good thanx
Our master bath is done in cream, white and natural wood with just a hint of spa blue/green. For me it conveys the feeling of the beach without being too literal. I do however have an apothecary jar full of shells as well as an over-sized sand dollar as wall art. I think It’s more a feel than a theme.
Most people say “ooh, this feels so calm”, never “oh, it’s so beachy”.
Love your articles – you really have a way of describing things in terms we can get!
I love this article! Thank you. It really helped me understand. Definitely like the feel the best.
These are great bits of information. I have gotten caught in the trap of ‘theme rooms’ in the past and I’m so glad that I have learned to go more for a feeling and style than theme. It just feels so much more comfortable to me :) Blessings, Cindy
That’s how I feel as well….I love the look of themed rooms and always appreciate the time and effort that goes into them, but in my own home, I am more comfortable with a feeling. :)
This was very interesting and I agree. I also try for a FEEL. I have alot of Asain pieces that I inhereted, and also alot of pieces from Africa. So, I have all of the African pieces and artwork in our bonus room but the rest of the house has Asain things all over. I love the “collected over time” look.
That sounds beautiful! I love the collected look, too – it makes everything feel so comfortable and personal, doesn’t it?!
I didn’t think I was going to “get” what you were saying but then I did!!! We have a lakehouse in the country. It has been important to me to give it a “beachy look or feel” because so many nautical accessories reflect the ocean. I refuse to use starfish or fishing nets or ship wheels or anything that’s not found in a lake (as opposed to the ocean). Sounds weird, huh?! I just want the feel, not the theme and certainly not one that reflects something other than what I actually have.
Thanks!! :)
XO,
Jane
Hi Jane – Makes perfect sense! Enjoy decorating your beachy-feeling lakehouse. :)
My sons former room is a travel theme. We have decorated with some items collected or given to us from travels. The colors tie it together. We have a Mexican sombrero from when I was 16, an African shield given to the boys when they were young from South Africa, a Tiki God from Hawaii and a flag flown over the base he was stationed at in Kuwait.
How wonderful to be able to look at all the different items and have memories and a story for each!
Perfect… Similar to the differences between knowing and understanding…
Yes!! :)
I do. We are boaters who live at the ocean so our back porch is themed with the use of oars, nautical maps and mounted sailfish. Our guest room has the look and feel of ocean living by being painted blue with blue and sand colors in the drapes, bedding and throw pillows. the furniture is white with shuttered doors. I do have framed Audobon water fowl on one wall also.
Pamela – It all sounds very relaxing and refreshing!! I’m imaging the sea breeze now….. :)
This is a good post on the distinction between the two, Kim! Love how you gave examples, too.
Thank you, Kathy!
I completely agree with your analogies! Themed vs. Feel in a room, I’d choose “feel” every time. It is a more collected look and feels more like a home.
Hi Robin! I usually try for a “look” as well, mostly because I change my mind so often and for me, it’s easier to change up a room if it’s not themed. :) I think that sometimes when people first start changing the decor of their home, though, they buy of lot of typical decor items and inadvertently create a theme when they are trying for a feel!
My “themed” room is definitely my little boys nautical room, and every other room is just a look or feeling. I love how you put it into words and pictures. I’m often trying to explain it to my family and friends that I help decorate….now I have a better way of explaining it, so thank you! ~Kim
Sounds like your boys have a fun room!! I’m so glad that you found this post helpful!! :)