Arts and Crafts - Interior Design Style Inspiration

Essential Tips for What Is Arts and Crafts Interior Design Style?

The arts and crafts interior design style is a decorative approach that embraces the use of handcrafted elements. It emerged in the late nineteenth century as a reaction to the effects of industrialization, particularly the loss of respect for designers and workers. The movement draws inspiration from the philosophical ideals and design tenets of William Morris and other like-minded designers. You’ll also notice the use of sturdy woodwork and earthy colors in decorative details. Today, people crave the warmth and authenticity that an arts and crafts interior can bring to their homes. The idea is to create a serene and timeless retreat from the noise of daily life. Blending tradition with comfort, the arts and crafts interior feels grounded and genuinely personal.

• Color Palette

  The arts and crafts color palette is inspired by nature: mossy green, brown, ochre, rust, muted golds and warm beige.

  Most often, the colors are inspired by nature (wood, stone, earth) without flashy or synthetic notes. Accents might appear in deep indigo, slate blue, or burnt orange, bringing depth without overwhelming the senses. Soft matte finishes on walls and wood are preferred over glossy ones to help the color scheme flow harmoniously. The color choices often call to mind sunlit forests, autumnal fields, or riverbeds and make any room instantly welcoming. The intent is gentle cohesion, where the colors softly overlap and blend into one another. Which in turn allows other elements of the room, such as gorgeous stained-glass windows and intricate textiles, to take center stage.

• Materials & Textures

  Natural materials are fundamental and the authenticity of a piece is valued more than how ornate it is. Expect to see plenty of solid wood—oak, maple, or walnut—in the cabinetry and trim, as well as in furniture. Tiles made of earthenware or hand-glazed ceramics (both for fireplaces and kitchen backsplashes). Wrought iron, hand-hammered copper and unpolished brass provide a metal accent but without shine or ostentation. Textiles are usually wool, linen, or sturdy cotton (sometimes handwoven) and pleasant to the touch. Walls would likely feature either roughly plastered surfaces or wooden paneling, enhancing the room’s modest, earthy feel. They invite touch and often age gracefully, acquiring a patina that adds to their character. The interplay of these lived-in textures also enhances comfort and affectional attachment to the home.

• Furniture & Silhouettes

  The furniture is characterized by simplicity and functionality, with an emphasis on form and visible joinery. Look for rectilinear forms and the dominant presence of wooden pegs and tenons in furniture. Chairs and sofas have broad armrests and straight lines, sometimes slightly curved or embellished with slats. Upholstery is practical and unpretentious, usually in muted colors or classic floral or botanical patterns. Built-in seating or bookcases, which also serve as storage, are part of the room’s structure. Every piece is meant to be lived with and gathered around. Ornamentation is minimal, the emphasis being on the natural beauty of wood grain and form. This technique ensures that each item feels substantial and intentional in its placement.

• Decor & Accessories

  Décor in the Arts and Crafts vein is poetic and purposeful, emphasizing handmade objects and subtle ornamentation. Stained or leaded glass lamps and the jewel-toned glow they cast on even the simplest wooden table. Pottery, woven baskets and hammered metal bowls bring quiet moments of artistry to shelves and mantels. The wallpaper might have a stylized botanical print – ferns, poppies, vines – to add visual interest without overwhelming the room. Art tiles became accent pieces in fireplaces or stand-alone panels. Embroidered cushions, wool rugs and hand-thrown vases add layers of softness and texture to even the simplest modern furniture. The emphasis is on the quiet, painstakingly crafted beauty of materials. Accessories are not an afterthought.

• Architectural Features

  This style is easily distinguishable by a number of architectural elements that were intended not only to be attractive but also functional. Thick, square porch columns and broad, substantial woodwork around doors, windows and ceilings. Exposed beams and rafters reveal the basic structure (what is not strictly necessary is dispensed with when it comes to covering up the structural elements). Built-in furniture elements such as benches, bookcases and sideboards make efficient use of wall space and enhance the unified feel of the home. The fireplace, often the room’s focal point, would be adorned with hand-glazed tiles or rough-cut stone. Leaded glass windows scatter light in soft patterns, enhancing its artistry and privacy. Which are integral to every arts and crafts home because the structure is handcrafted from the bones out.

• Planning & Composition