However, aside from Old World décor, it should be noted that there are other interior decorating styles that people find elegant like modern décor, oriental décor, and eclectic décor, to name a few.  

Old World Décor (see traditional rugs for samples of area rugs with an old world style)

Old World décor has always attracted a large group of admirers for years. The allure of eras past is always portrayed as romantic and grandiose, and many of us wish to experience some of that charm in our present times. Although this type of décor can be pricey (with antique pieces and all,) many people still find quaint fascination in the styles and trimmings of the Old World.  

Here are some of the more prominent examples of Old World décor.  

• Baroque – a 17^th century Italian décor characterized by extensive use of dramatic ornamentation with dynamic carvings, restless lines and spectacular extensions. Dark wood and dark coloration are the usual motif – and in this case, the more elaborate the design, the better. Furniture is usually made of mahogany and other expensive types of wood with deep red varnish heaped on in layers.

• Empire – a 19^th century French décor characterized by delicate but elaborate ornamentation that follows Greek or Roman classical sensibilities, like using bas relief on furniture surfaces, or using animal leg carvings on furniture. Almost all fixtures are bedecked with designs like caryatids, lyres, torches, wreaths and urns.

• Old English – originally introduced in Britain in the later part of the 1800, this décor achieved fame in North America at the turn of the 19^th century. It is known for its extensive use of rich wood panels, plush cushioned seats, and solidly made wood furniture with elaborate carvings in each turn. It is also sometimes called as the Queen Anne Revival décor, and is usually darker in coloration and motif than its predecessor, the Tudor décor.

• Tudor – 18^th century English décor so named after the house of English sovereigns from Henry VII to Elizabeth I. This Old World décor is characterized by exposed beams, elaborate trappings and lushly padded furniture. Although most of its furniture designs are almost box-like in appearance, the pieces are actually more substantial in weight than the Old English décor.

Modern Décor (see contemporary rugs with a modern style)

However, some people may find this style of interior decoration a bit too heavy handed literally. People who prefer lighter furniture construction and space color motif often try to seek elegance in more modern styles. The term modern does not necessarily mean modern times or present times. This type of décor usually means simple or less elaborate in design, color and ornamentation.  

Some of these so called chic-and-elegant settings include, but is not limited to: 

• Biedermeier Style - a 19^th century German-inspired décor characterized by principles based on utilitarian purposes: clean lines, minimal ornamentation and maximum functionality. A trademark of this style is the use of less expensive wood like ash, cherry, oak and pear wood. Wood staining is also a common practice, and décor fixtures are almost bare.

• Hard Edge Style – originated only around 1959, this décor style is mostly geometric in design and construction. It consists of straight but rough lines; and colors have to be solidly blended or at least homogenous in shades. It does however, still utilizes wood.

• High Tech style – emerged in the 1970s, and is also called late modernism or even revamped modernism. Some people even consider it as post modern décor style, and it is characterized by the extensive use of pre-fabricated materials like glass and steel. There is little or no ornamentation. The High Tech style has also evolved from solid glass panels and heavy steel frames to light weight materials.

• Minimalist – is a style that originated post World War II, particularly between the late 1960s and the early 1970s. As the word suggest, minimalist style is stripping down décor to its most fundamental purposes. According to historical accounts, this style may have been influenced by the austere living condition often seen in traditional Japanese interior décor.

Oriental Décor (see oriental rugs with a style from the orient)

Speaking of Japanese inspired interior décor, some people actually find elegance in more exotic settings, specifically oriental styles of décor. The one common element of oriental style is the extensive use of negative space. This means that there are blank spaces on the walls, or uneven distribution of design and carvings on the furniture and fixture. Oriental décor actually celebrates imperfection as uniqueness. Two of the more widely used oriental décor styles in the West are Chinese-inspired décor and Japanese-inspired décor. 

• Chinese-inspired décor – is predominantly in shades of red and gold, with overt tones of Zen-inspired sensibilities. Usually, Chinese décor are made of wood, bronze, marble and paper. Small (and large) Buddha or Zen statues are the norm as with bric-a-bracs depicting everyday scenes of Chinese living.
  
  
• Japanese-inspired décor – is based on the austere living styles that one can usually see in a regular Japanese home. This includes low, but functional tables, almost no chairs (cushions are used) and wood / paper mat floors. This gives the room a minimalist feel to it. Nonetheless, hide-away beds and large closets are part of Japanese décor sensibilities, as with soft lighting styles and dark, almost black accents on light colored furniture and fixture.

 Eclectic Décor 

Eclectic décor simply means a combination of more than two interior decorating styles. You may not know it, but a good percentage of our homes these days have eclectic décor, and we do not even know it. However, there is a trick to making eclectic décor look elegant. You certainly do not want your home to look like a museum – and even some museums can look elegant, you know.  

Interesting accent pieces of likely persuasion should be grouped together like masks acquired from different countries. Or, if you prefer, you can segregate your home into motif rooms. You can have a minimalist décor for your den and oriental décor for your dining area – and then you can place accents that go against the minimalist trend in your den (like an elaborate Greek inspired marble sculpture at the center of the room to give contrast to the room;) or, a 17^th century painting over one of the walls to complement the atmosphere of your oriental inspired dining hall. You just might be surprised with the results.