Introducing the Interior Design Style Personality Theory: The 8×2 Style Personality System

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What is a style personality?

Hello, style lovers!

In this post, we’re excited to share the details of our interior design style personality system in this foundational introductory post on the subject. Looking back, this style system was twelve years in the making! First, conceptually, as a result of our analysis of visual styles through design school and beyond; then through three years of testing and development. Some of our first posts referencing the system hark all the way back to when we first launched Design Baddie in 2021.

So what is the 8×2 interior design style personality system?

The idea is simple: We recognize that every interior space has its own unique personality, just like the people who inhabit it. We set about creating archetypes of style that could serve to explain these personality types. The result is a revolutionary method for categorizing interior design styles: The 8×2 Style Personality System, offering sixteen distinct style personalities. This system is based on the format of the Myers-Briggs Personality Index but tailored specifically for the visual world of interior design.

Using our approach, we believe that designers and homeowners alike can better understand, communicate, and curate a space’s style.

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The Origins of the 8×2 Style System: A Personalized Approach to Design

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So, where did the idea of an interior design style system come from?

At its roots, the 8×2 style system was born out of my enthusiasm for all things interior design style, and a growing desire through design school to simplify and better explain the overwhelming world of interior design styles to beginners.

To do this, I devised two systems; one broad and the other narrow. Both served to categorize and define interior design styles, using some key metrics that I developed from my research and observation through design school.

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The Big Five Interior Design Style Theory

My first, and broadest interior design style system was called the “Big Five Style Spectrum”. This system categorized all interiors into one of five possible style categories. I decided to called these different style types, ‘genres’.

After years of studying various design movements and observing how people connect with different aesthetics, I realized that most design preferences could be distilled into a spectrum of style which ran from “modern to traditional” in their core aesthetics.

To devise the spectrum, I used three established ‘genres’ of style. These represented two extremes, and one transitional aesthetic. They were labeled ‘pure traditional’, ‘pure modern’ (two polar opposites of style) and (middle style), ‘pure eclectic‘. I then envisioned another two buffer categories. These created space for the ‘modern-eclectic‘, and ‘eclectic-traditional‘ genres.

You can read about that here:

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If you are a beginner to the idea of “style science”, the Big Five is the easiest method to learn. It’s perfect for anyone who want to become more knowledgeable about visual styles in interior design without getting too buried in details.

The Big Five method is broad because it judges the whole room visually, rather than specific elements within the room. It’s useful to explain the overall character of a space.

I published my first article explaining the Big Five method in this original post:

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Introducing the 8×2 Interior Design Style Personality Theory

Building on the Big Five Style Genre foundation, I sought to break design style classification down even further. For my second style system, I introduced a shorthand method I developed for “reading a room” visually, by analyzing four key elements of the room’s visual makeup. This resulted in sixteen distinct style profiles with unique variations; one half being modern and the other half traditional.

This approach, like the Big Five spectrum, allowed for the classification of any room using the theory, but was far more specific. Using the theory allows anyone to walk into any room, and by asking a series of four important questions, arrive at a shorthand for explaining its style makeup. Another great benefit of the style system is that it allows for the creation of new interior designs based on the theory. This helps to create more personalized style profiles that resonate with individual tastes, outside of the traditional labels for design styles.

The result is a flexible yet comprehensive system for anyone looking to define their unique interior design identity.

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The Benefits of Style Systems and Design Style Classification

As you can see, style systems like the 8×2 method, offer a structured approach to navigating the vast, visual world of interior design by providing a clear framework to categorize and understand different design aesthetics. This kind of classification can actually help both designers and clients articulate their preferences, ensuring that design choices align more closely with individual tastes.

By breaking down styles into defined genres and adding layers that measure major style characteristics, the system simplifies decision-making, allowing for a more personalized and intuitive design process as an outcome.

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The 8×2 Style System: A Framework for Developing New Interior Design Styles

Another key benefit of an interior design style system is that it promotes flexibility within a structured framework. By classifying styles and adding dual dimensions, users can easily blend elements from different styles while still maintaining harmony and coherence.

This means that interior design clients can achieve a space that feels true to their personality without feeling restricted to one rigid category. It also aids designers in better understanding their clients’ unique preferences, helping to create spaces that reflect their individuality.

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Using a design style classification method like the 8×2 system can help to enhance communication, personalization, and creativity in the design process.

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8×2 Style Personality Key

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With the background and utility of our interior design style system out of the way, we can begin to investigate how the system works. At its heart, the 8×2 system evaluates a room based on four primary categories that translate to explaining their vibe and visual makeup: Old or New?, Loud or Soft?, Busy or Calm?, Stimulating or Restful?

You can think of the answers to these questions as being definite “yes or no”, “one or the other” choices to make at each checkpoint, when assessing a room visually. This is done in a series of four steps.

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Key 8×2 Style Assessment Questions

Question 1: Assess the architectural profile

Ask yourself: Is this room’s architectural shell and primary elements modern or traditional? Traditional is old, modern is new.

(Architectural Shell Profile: Modern (Neo) N vs. Traditional T)

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Question 2: Assess the dominant color palette profile

Ask yourself: Is this room’s dominant and overall color palette more saturated or muted in tone? Saturated is loud, muted is soft.

(Color Saturation Profile: Saturated S vs. Muted M)

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Question 3: Assess the dominant furniture and fittings profile

Ask yourself: Is this room’s fittings, furniture and decor more ornamental and decorative, or clean and minimalistic in appearance? Clean is calm, ornamental is busy.

(Clean vs. Ornamental: Clean C vs. Ornamental O)

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Question 4: Assess the dominant soft finishes profile

Ask yourself: Is this room’s visual pattern profile (usually assessed from soft finishes like window dressings, rugs and textiles) mostly patterned, or does it abstain from pattern?

Pattern is stimulating, solids are restful.

(Patterned vs. Solid: Patterned P vs. Solid S)

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Having gone through these four steps and assigning the letters **N or T**, **S or M**, **C or O** and **P or S** to each step, you will arrive at a series of letters, like “TSOP” or “NMCS“. This is how we discover the sixteen unique style personalities; since there are sixteen possible combinations.

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How to Use the 8×2 Style Personality Key

In the example of a room that has a: modern architectural, muted colors, clean in furnishing and solid soft finishes profile, its identification handle would read as: NMCS, which stands for Neutral + Modern + Clean + Solid. The NMCS style personality is the most modern of the style personalities, because it is the cleanest visually. It’s identification handle has been given the descriptive personality title, “The Pure Modernist”.

In the same way, each of the other fifteen style personalities is determined by their own unique series of key categories spelled out in initials. These each align with their own specific aesthetic, such as TSOP, “The Pure Traditionalist”, or something more interesting, like NSOP, the “Decorative Modernist”. Many of the ‘modern’ styles are really ‘modern eclectic’, just as many of the ‘traditional’ styles could be thought of as ‘eclectic traditional’.

For the style personalities that are pure eclectic, they are divided into either of two sides based on their architectural profile, primarily.

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Key Characteristics Measured in the 8×2 Style Personality System

Step 1. How to Classify Architectural Elements

The first category – **Architectural Shell Profile** – defines whether a space leans modern or traditional. A room that is modern typically features clean lines, open spaces, and minimal ornamentation. On the other hand, traditional spaces tend to be more visually complex with intricate detailing.

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Step 2. How to Classify a Room’s Overall Color Palette

This category looks at whether the color palette is **Saturated** or **Muted**. A saturated palette will feature bolder, more vibrant hues, while a muted palette will rely on softer, more understated tones. This distinction plays a critical role in setting the mood of a room.

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Step 3. How to Classify a Room’s Furnishings and Décor Profile

Here, the focus is on whether the furnishings and décor are **Clean** or **Ornamental**. A clean profile involves simplicity and minimalistic designs, whereas an ornamental profile leans towards more intricate, decorative elements that create a busier aesthetic.

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Step 4. How to Classify a Room’s Soft Finishes Pattern Profile  

Finally, the soft finishes category determines whether patterns or solid finishes dominate the space. **Patterned** designs might include bold geometric prints or intricate motifs, while **Solid** refers to single-color finishes that enhance simplicity.

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Visual Style Label Descriptions

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‘Modern’ Description

Rooms with modern architectural traits can usually be recognized by their simplicity when compared to rooms with traditional traits. Look for clean, sleek lines, minimal ornamentation, and open spaces. Consider the materials. You should expect to see contemporary materials like glass, steel, concrete, and minimal wood. These are often paired with polished finishes.

‘Traditional’ Description

Traditional rooms often feature decorative moldings, detailed woodwork, and intricate carving patterns. Traditional design tends to emphasize balance and symmetry. You should expect to see rich, warm materials like mahogany, oak, or cherry wood.

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‘Saturated’ Description

Rooms dominated by deep, rich, and bold hues (like jewel tones such as emerald green, royal blue, or ruby red) can be considered saturated. Saturated rooms often mix and layer different strong colors rather than sticking to a monotone or pastel palette. You might see bold, colorful artwork, textiles, and accessories. Saturated designs make an immediate visual impact, drawing the eye to the bold use of color throughout the space.

‘Muted’ Description

Rooms that have pale, soft, or pastel tones, like light gray, blush pink, powder blue, or sage green have muted color palettes. You might notice a tone-on-tone approach, layering different shades of the same muted color for a cohesive look. Muted designs lean heavily into neutral palettes like beige, ivory, taupe, and soft grays.

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‘Ornate’ Description

Decorative Details: Look for intricate, decorative elements such as carved moldings, chandeliers, elaborate furniture, and detailed fabrics like damask or velvet.Pattern and Texture: Rich textures and patterns (floral, baroque, or paisley) often cover walls, upholstery, and window treatments.Luxurious Materials: High-end, luxurious materials like marble, crystal, silk, or velvet are frequently used.Over-Embellishment: The space may feel rich with layers of decor, intricate detailing, and a sense of opulence.

‘Clean’ Description

Minimal Ornamentation: Clean designs focus on simplicity, with no unnecessary decorations or busy patterns.Smooth Surfaces: Assess for clean, uninterrupted surfaces (sleek countertops, seamless cabinetry, or smooth walls without much texture).Neutral Palette: Look for crisp, neutral color schemes—white, light gray, or beige—that create a fresh, airy feel.Open Space: The room should have a sense of openness and order, often with minimal furniture and decor.

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‘Patterned’ Description

Repetitive Motifs: Check for repetitive geometric, floral, or abstract patterns across surfaces like wallpaper, rugs, or upholstery.Layering of Patterns: Often, multiple patterns are used in the same room (e.g., patterned curtains, patterned rug, and patterned pillows) but are balanced by solids.Bold vs. Subtle: Patterned designs can range from bold and dynamic (large prints) to more subtle (small, repeating motifs).

‘Solid’ Description

Uniform Color Blocks: A solid design emphasizes areas of uninterrupted color—furniture, walls, or floors may be solid with no patterns or designs.Monochromatic Scheme: Rooms often feature monochromatic or bi-chromatic color schemes, where one or two solid colors dominate the space.Clean Lines: Similar to the Clean Description, solid designs avoid busy details and focus on visual simplicity.Minimal Texture: The texture is often subtle or uniform, without heavy variation between materials.

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All the 8×2 Interior Design Style Personalities and Examples

If you’ve followed us so far, it’s time to get down to the brass tacks of the style personalities themselves. Below are the style handles for the sixteen distinct interior design style personalities in the 8×2 style system. We also touch on how they might present in well-known interior design styles.

We plan to link from here to the in-depth ‘deep dive’ articles that explain the individual style personalities. If a style is missing, please be patient with us as we get it published.

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Traditional Styles

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1. TSOP – The Pure Traditionalist: Focuses on timeless, formal design with intricate detailing, rich textures, and deep hues. Think of Georgian or Victorian interiors with an emphasis on classic elegance.
2. TSOS – The Gentleman/Artful Traditionalist: Combines traditional luxury with a curated, artistic touch. Expect refined, masculine elements, with stately furniture and darker, richer color palettes—perfect for English country homes or traditional libraries.
3. TSCP – The Bold Traditionalist: Prefers grand statements within a traditional framework. Think of bold patterns, vibrant colors, and an eye-catching mix of textures in classical environments like Baroque or Rococo interiors.
4. TSCS – The Updated Traditionalist: Loves tradition with a modern twist, maintaining classical structure but using more subdued, contemporary color palettes and materials. Picture modernized Colonial or Neoclassical interiors.
5. TMOP – The Romantic Traditionalist: Focuses on soft, romantic touches within a traditional setting. You’ll find floral patterns, soft lighting, and delicate furnishings, often reminiscent of French country or Shabby Chic designs.
6. TMOS – The Grand Traditionalist: Embraces opulence, with large-scale furnishings, luxurious fabrics, and ornate detailing. Spaces reflect grandeur and luxury, often seen in Regency or Renaissance-inspired interiors.
7. TMCP – The Eclectic Traditionalist: Thrives on mixing traditional elements with unexpected, often global influences. Think of an old-world European room with modern art or Moroccan textiles.
8. TMCS – The Elegant Traditionalist: Highlights grace and sophistication with a refined sense of proportion and balance. Expect polished wood finishes, rich fabrics, and elegant symmetry—like what you’d see in Classical Revival interiors.

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Modern Styles

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1. NMCS – The Pure Modernist: Embraces minimalism with clean lines, sleek materials, and neutral color palettes. Think Scandinavian or contemporary urban spaces with uncluttered simplicity.
2. NMCP – The Graphic Modernist: Focuses on sharp contrasts and bold geometric patterns. You’ll often see black-and-white schemes, strong visual lines, and elements of Art Deco or Bauhaus-inspired designs.
3. NMOS – The Romantic Modernist: Incorporates softness into modern design through organic shapes, warm hues, and materials like wood and velvet. Imagine spaces inspired by Mid-Century Modern with a romantic, natural twist.
4. NMOP – The Whimsical Modernist: Pairs playful elements with modern aesthetics, using bold colors, quirky furniture, and unexpected patterns. Think Mid-Century Modern with a touch of the Eclectic or Memphis movement.
5. NSCS – The Bold Modernist: Loves making a statement through bold colors and striking forms in modern interiors. Vibrant hues and sculptural furniture are hallmarks of this style, often seen in postmodern or avant-garde spaces.
6. NSCP – The Cultured Modernist: Blends modern design with a rich variety of global influences. This personality integrates modern architecture with artisanal details, such as ethnic textiles or handcrafted furniture—often in Eclectic or Bohemian modern spaces.
7. NSOS – The Artful Modernist: Highlights art as the centerpiece of the space, with minimalist furniture that serves as a backdrop for artwork. Think gallery-inspired interiors with a sleek, neutral design that enhances sculptural and visual elements.
8. NSOP – The Decorative Modernist: Enjoys adding a decorative touch to modern spaces through patterns, textures, and accessories. This style layers decorative elements into otherwise simple, modern designs, with inspiration drawn from Hollywood Regency or Art Deco.

These sixteen distinct interior design style personalities offer a wide range of expressions, allowing anyone to find a style that resonates with their preferences while exploring the diverse aesthetics in both traditional and modern design.

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Conclusion

To wrap up, the 8×2 Style Personality System offers a comprehensive way to categorize and understand interior design styles. We think this framework is perfect for both designers and homeowners seeking to articulate their vision clearly.

As we continue to explore the intricacies of interior design, the 8×2 system will become an essential tool in how we approach the style and character of a room. Welcome to the future of interior design – where every room has a personality!

Happy styling!

–Von