Where to Study Interior Design Styles for Your Apartment

A designer with eight years of experience told me something strange: 67% of her new clients call their apartment “Scandi,” although in reality it’s Provence or eclectic. The problem isn’t ignorance — the problem is that people study interior design styles in the wrong places.

The online education market for interior design in Russia is valued at 2.8 billion rubles according to February 2025 data. But here’s the paradox: 78% of course students still cannot distinguish minimalism from high-tech upon completion. Why? Because most educational platforms teach style recognition through Pinterest pictures, rather than through understanding the historical context, architectural principles, and cultural roots of each direction.

This article is not a list of courses. Here is a system: where, how, and in what sequence to study interior design styles, not just to memorize names, but to understand the logic of each direction. For those who want to independently design the interior of their apartment or enter the design profession.

The Basic Mistake When Studying Interior Styles

Most people start with internet galleries. They scroll through “25 types of styles” with screenshots, trying to remember: loft is brick, Provence is lavender, minimalism is white. After a month, everything blends into mush.

The correct logic is different: first understand the historical matrix, then structural principles, then visual markers. Interior styles are not a collection of photographs, but the evolution of living space from antiquity to 2025.

Imagine learning foreign languages by memorizing only words, but not grammar. It’s about as useless to memorize “Art Deco = geometry + gold” without understanding why this style emerged in the 1920s and how it differs from Art Nouveau.

Foundation: Three Pillars of Style Study

1. Historical Architecture (Essential Basis)

Without understanding architectural styles — Baroque, Classicism, Modernism — studying interior styles turns into mechanical memorization.

Where to study:

Coursera and edX — “The Language of Architecture” course from Yale University (free with subtitles)
Arzamas.academy — Russian-language course “Languages of 20th Century Architecture” from an architectural critic
YouTube channel “Architect” — analysis of style evolution from antiquity to postmodernism

What to learn:

How room proportions changed from the Middle Ages to Art Nouveau
Why ceiling height determines style choice
The connection between structural solutions (columns, arches, beams) and decorative elements

Practice: Before studying interior styles, take at least one basic course on architectural history. This will take 4-6 weeks but will save months of wandering.

2. Composition and Color Theory (The Language of Design)

Interior styles are the application of compositional principles. It’s impossible to understand Neoclassicism without knowing what symmetry and axial composition are.

Where to study:

Skillshare — “Interior Design Fundamentals” course with a section on color schemes of styles
Book “The Art of Color” by Johannes Itten — a classic, explains why Provence requires pastel shades
Bang Bang Education — Russian school with a module “Color Theory in Interior Design” (15 hours of theory, 25 hours of practice)

Key topics:

Color wheels and how they work in historical styles
The 60-30-10 rule and why it doesn’t work for all styles
Rhythm, balance, dominance — how these principles determine style recognition

3. Materials Science (The Physics of Styles)

The loft style didn’t emerge because someone liked brick, but because in the 1940s artists moved into abandoned factories in New York and couldn’t afford finishes. Materials dictate style, not the other way around.

Where to study:

Pentaschool Academy — “Materials in Interior Design” module with a workshop on selecting finishes for styles
Tarkett.ru/hub — free articles on combining flooring with interior styles
Exhibitions — Batimat, MosBuild (annually in Moscow) — live immersion in textures and technologies

What to understand:

Why classics require natural wood, while minimalism allows MDF
How the evolution of building materials gave birth to new styles
Which materials can be “faked” and which cannot

Main Trajectory: Where and How to Study the Styles Themselves

After the foundation — three parallel paths. Combine them.

Path 1: Systematic Online Courses (Structured Knowledge)

For absolute beginners:

1. Netology — “Interior Designer”

Duration: 8 months
Style module: 40+ hours covering ancient, medieval, classical, and modern directions
Plus: historical context + practice in creating mood boards in different styles
Cost: from 13,609 rubles/month
Suitable for: those who want to enter the profession, not just understand styles for their apartment

2. HEDU — “Interior Design” (short course)

Duration: 16 lessons (approximately 2 months at 2 classes per week)
Focus: ancient, medieval, classical, and modern styles
Plus: affordable price, emphasis on practical application
Minus: less depth in historical context
Suitable for: those who want to quickly figure it out for a personal project

3. International School of Design — courses based on British Rhodec International methodologies

Focus on Western approaches to studying styles
Includes work in ArchiCAD, Photoshop, 3DsMax for style visualization
Suitable for: those who want an international perspective

For intermediate learners:

4. Bang Bang Education — “Interior Design”

Teachers from Crosby Studios, BŪRO
10 months with deep immersion in historical, classical, ethnic, and modern styles
“Mix Styles” module: Japandi, Kitsch, Eclectic, Fusion, Wabi-Sabi
Plus: teaches not just to recognize styles, but to combine them
Cost: above average, but teaching quality is top-notch

5. Pentaschool (MADP “Pentaskul”) — “Interior Design from Scratch to First Orders”

Focus: modern and historical styles + ethnic directions (Moroccan, Japanese, Scandinavian, Indian, Slavic)
Workshop: creating mood boards, concept boards, and sketches in different styles
10 hours of theory + 35 hours of practice on styles

Course selection criteria:

Look for programs where styles are studied not as a list, but in historical development
Check if there’s a module on mixing styles (this is an indicator of depth)
Important: feedback from practicing designers, not just video lectures

Path 2: Books and Academic Sources (Deep Understanding)

Essential minimum:

1. “The World History of Design” — Elizabeth Wilhide

Chronology of all styles from antiquity to the 21st century
Shows the connection between architecture, art, and interiors
Where to buy: Ozon, Wildberries, about 2000-3000 rubles

2. “Styled” — Emily Henderson

Not just a description of styles, but the philosophy of conveying meanings through interior
How the same style reads differently depending on decor
For those who want to create, not copy

3. Russian-language reference books:

“Interior Styles: From Antiquity to Our Days” — collective monograph with illustrations
Articles on Tarkett.ru, Divan.ru, InMyRoom.ru — free reviews with photos and descriptions

How to read:

Don’t read styles in sequence. Group them: first all classical, then all ethnic, then modern
Keep a visual notebook: Pinterest boards or physical sketchbook with sketches of key elements
After each style, ask yourself: “Why did it emerge at this particular time and place?”

Path 3: Immersive Learning (Visual Literacy)

Books give knowledge, courses give structure, but visual literacy gives intuition.

1. Museums and exhibition spaces:

State Museum of Architecture named after A.V. Shchusev (Moscow) — collections of historical interiors, archives
The Hermitage (St. Petersburg) — living illustration of Baroque, Classicism, Rococo in palace halls
Exhibitions iSaloni, Maison & Objet — if you have the opportunity to go to Milan or Paris, this is an encyclopedia of contemporary interior styles

2. Virtual tours:

Google Arts & Culture — 3D tours of palaces, museums with interiors in different styles
YouTube channels of interior designers: “Hot Walls” (Misha — designer with 8 years of experience), “Designer’s Diary”

3. Social media as a textbook:

Pinterest — not just scrolling, but creating thematic boards. Make a board for each style, save only authentic examples
Instagram — subscriptions to museums, archives, designers with original projects
Reddit (r/InteriorDesign, r/malelivingspace) — discussions of real problems: “How not to slide into kitsch when mixing styles?”

Immersion method:

“7 days — 1 style” rule: for a week, look only at one style. Films, series with interiors in this style, books, Pinterest
Real-life practice: Go to a cafe — identify the style. Visit friends — try to name the direction
Sketching: Can’t draw — no problem. Schematically sketch layouts, furniture groups, color spots

Advanced Level: Specialization by Direction

After mastering the basics — choosing a specialization.

For those designing their own apartment:

Focus: 5-7 styles suitable for Russian realities (square footage, budget, climate)

Priority styles:

Scandinavian — the most budget-friendly, forgiving of mistakes, easy to implement independently
Minimalism/Japanese — for small apartments where every meter counts
Neoclassical — a compromise between classic and modern, doesn’t require high ceilings
Eclectic/Contemporary — when you want to mix but are afraid to make mistakes

Where to study:

Free marathons — many schools (Contented, Skillbox) conduct 3-7 day intensives on one style
YouTube courses: “You’ll Create This Interior Design in 7 Days” — practical master classes
Designer consultations — a 1-2 hour session costs 3000-8000 rubles but will give more than a month of independent wandering

For future designers:

Focus: all styles + ability to mix them + understanding trends

Advanced programs:

Skillbox — “Interior Designer from Scratch to PRO” (6 months) — includes a block on mixing styles and working with 2024-2025 trends
Contented — “Interior Designer Profession” (10 months) — collaging, 3D visualization, original interiors
EdPro — “Interior Designer Profession” — analysis of 35 styles with examples

Additionally:

Internships in design studios — even a free 2-3 month internship will teach more than a year of theory
Competitor analysis: Study portfolios of top Russian designers — Well Done Interiors, Artburo 1/1, studios from Houzz’s top list
International platforms: Houzz, Dezeen, ArchDaily — how styles are developing in Europe, Asia, America

Common Mistakes When Studying Styles

Mistake 1: Studying styles in isolation

Problem: You study loft without understanding that it came from industrial modernism, which in turn was a reaction to classicism

Solution: Always study context: what came before the style, why it emerged, what came after

Mistake 2: Relying only on online images

Problem: Photos on Pinterest are often stylizations, not authentic styles. Plus lighting and filters distort colors

Solution: Physical experience. Go to furniture stores (IKEA for Scandi, Hoff for modern styles, Garmoniya for classics). Touch materials, see proportions in real life

Mistake 3: Trying to memorize all styles at once

Problem: There are 70+ interior styles and sub-styles. Memorizing everything is unrealistic and unnecessary

Solution: Start with 10 basic ones: Classicism, Baroque, Provence, Country, Loft, Minimalism, Scandinavian, Art Deco, Eclectic, Contemporary. The rest — as needed

Mistake 4: Not practicing

Problem: You watch a course, nod your head, but don’t do anything with your hands

Solution: After each studied style — practice. Create a mood board, make a collage in Canva, redesign your room in this style on paper

Mistake 5: Ignoring budget constraints

Problem: You fell in love with Baroque, but you have a panel Khrushchev apartment and 200 thousand rubles for renovation

Solution: Simultaneously with styles, study their budget feasibility. Some styles (Scandinavian, minimalism) can be done cheaply. Others (Art Deco, Classicism) require serious investments

Practical Study Plan: 12-Week Marathon

If you want to systematically study interior styles in 3 months, here’s a specific plan:

Weeks 1-2: Foundation

Take the “Languages of 20th Century Architecture” course on Arzamas (10-12 hours)
Read the first 100 pages of “The World History of Design”
Create a table: era — architectural style — interior style

Weeks 3-4: Classical Styles

Study: Classicism, Baroque, Rococo, Empire, Art Nouveau
For each style: video overview + article + 20 photos in Pinterest board + 1 sketch
Go to the Hermitage (if in St. Petersburg) or Tsaritsyno (in Moscow) — live experience

Weeks 5-6: Ethnic Styles

Study: Provence, Country, Scandinavian, Japanese, Moroccan
Practice: find a cafe or hotel in each of these styles in your city, go, take photos, analyze

Weeks 7-8: Modern Styles

Study: Minimalism, Loft, High-tech, Contemporary, Urban
Practice: create a mood board for your room in 3 different modern styles

Weeks 9-10: Mixed Styles

Study: Eclectic, Fusion, Japandi, Boho
Practice: try combining 2 styles in one space (on paper or in a 3D editor)

Weeks 11-12: Final Project

Choose a style for your apartment (or invent a client)
Create a complete concept: layout, color scheme, mood board, list of materials and furniture
Find a practicing designer (on social media), ask for feedback

Free Resources: What to Watch and Read Right Now

Russian-language channels and blogs:

RU DESIGN SHOP — articles “How to Learn Interior Design on Your Own”
Timeweb Community — course rankings with student reviews
InMyRoom.ru — style overviews with photos of real projects
Divan.ru/idei-i-trendy — styles for interior decoration with examples

English-language sources (with translation):

Udemy — “How to Work with Interior Design Styles Like a Pro” (18 styles, paid, but often discounts up to 90%)
Coursera — free design history courses from top universities
ArchDaily — trends in architecture and interiors

YouTube:

Hot Walls (Designer’s Diary) — practical master classes on layouts and modern styles
Apartment Question — real projects with style analysis
IAMDES — guides on modern styles from a luxury studio

When to Hire a Teacher or Designer

Self-study is great, but there are moments when you need professional help:

1. You’ve hit a wall Completed 3 courses, read 5 books, but still can’t distinguish contemporary from eclectic

Solution: 1-2 individual consultations with a designer (5000-10000 rubles) will structure your knowledge

2. You’re designing your apartment Theory is good, but investing several million in renovation based on guesses is a risk

Solution: Mini-project with a designer (concept + layout, without a complete design project) — 30000-70000 rubles, but will save hundreds of thousands on rework

3. You want to enter the profession Courses give basics, but real skills are experience working with clients

Solution: Mentorship. Find a designer who will take you as an assistant for 3-6 months (may be free or for a symbolic fee)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to learn interior styles?

Basic level (recognize 10-15 main styles): 2-3 months at 5-7 hours per week.

Advanced level (understand logic, mix styles, create concepts): 6-12 months with practice.

Professional level (consult clients): 1-2 years, including work on real projects.

Can you study styles without courses, only through books and YouTube?

Yes, but it will take more time and discipline. The advantage of courses is structure and feedback. If studying independently, find at least one mentor or experienced friend to check your concepts.

Which style is most universal for Russian apartments?

Scandinavian and Contemporary — work in any square footage, budgets, and layouts. Forgive beginners’ mistakes and easily adapt to personal preferences.

Do you need to learn 3D programs to understand styles?

Not mandatory, but useful. For a personal project, it’s enough to be able to create mood boards in Canva or Figma. For the profession — yes, you need SketchUp, 3ds Max, or at least online planners like Planner 5D.

Where to practice if you don’t have your own apartment for experiments?

Virtual projects: interior planners (Planner 5D, Homestyler)
Projects for friends/relatives: free layout of one room
Competitions: many platforms hold design project competitions
Redesign on paper: take a layout from apartment sale listings, create a concept

Is it worth going to university for interior design?

If you’re under 25 and want a fundamental education + networking — yes. If you’re 30+ or need to enter the profession faster — online courses + practice are more effective.

How not to confuse similar styles?

Matrix method: create a table with columns: colors, materials, furniture, decor, era, philosophy. For each style, fill in all columns. You’ll visually see the differences.

For example:

Provence: pastel, wood, vintage, textiles, 19th century, romance
Country: natural tones, rough wood, simplicity, utility, 20th century, functionality

Main Conclusion

Studying interior styles is not memorizing names, but developing visual language and historical thinking. Start with the foundation (architecture + color theory + materials), take at least one structured course for system, supplement with books and visual literacy, practice on real tasks.

In 3 months of intensive work, you’ll confidently navigate 15-20 styles. In six months — you’ll be able to create concepts for