Decorating Guides
Decorating Styles
So Your Style Is: Arts and Crafts
With a dual focus on nature and craftsmanship, Arts and Crafts home interiors have a wholesome, organic appeal
What it is: Unlike more loosey-goosey design styles, Arts and Crafts operates within a well-defined set of parameters — and for a well-defined reason. The Arts and Crafts movement took off around the turn of the 20th century as a backlash against the fussy, overwrought style of the Victorian era. It rejected the factory-produced furnishings and decorative accents that prevailed at the time, embracing instead natural beauty and traditional craftsmanship. Artisans such as Gustav Stickley (who coined the term Craftsman, sometimes used for this style) and William Morris were seminal in establishing the Arts and Crafts code, and it characterizes much of architect Frank Lloyd Wright's work.
Why it works: Arts and Crafts style is driven not only by clear design guidelines but by an entire canon of beliefs. It has a refreshing honesty and purity of spirit. Arts and Crafts interiors are full of heart and harmony, a holistic reflection of the ideals that gave rise to the style in the first place.
You'll love it if ... You've ever made a pilgrimage to the Gamble House. You think nature is the greatest designer of all time. You're more comfortable in hand-knit sweaters than in sequined scoop necks. You spent your honeymoon camping under the stars. You say homemade gifts are the best kind — and you mean it.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Hollywood Regency | Art Deco | Rustic | Old World | Cottage | French Country
Transitional | Contemporary | Midcentury Modern | Industrial | Eclectic | Coastal | Preppy
Why it works: Arts and Crafts style is driven not only by clear design guidelines but by an entire canon of beliefs. It has a refreshing honesty and purity of spirit. Arts and Crafts interiors are full of heart and harmony, a holistic reflection of the ideals that gave rise to the style in the first place.
You'll love it if ... You've ever made a pilgrimage to the Gamble House. You think nature is the greatest designer of all time. You're more comfortable in hand-knit sweaters than in sequined scoop necks. You spent your honeymoon camping under the stars. You say homemade gifts are the best kind — and you mean it.
More 'So Your Style Is':
Traditional | Hollywood Regency | Art Deco | Rustic | Old World | Cottage | French Country
Transitional | Contemporary | Midcentury Modern | Industrial | Eclectic | Coastal | Preppy
Style Secret: Colors From Nature
The classic Arts and Crafts palette takes its subtle, muted beauty straight from the natural world: stones, bark, leaves, grasses. Although you don't have to limit yourself to browns and greens, any hues that are less obviously organic — such as blue — should be dusty or dirty. Here's one fail-safe way to approach it: Study the flora and foliage that grow in your home and neighborhood, then translate those colors to your interior.
Look closer: The warm, rich colors in this space meld together as beautifully as they would in the outdoors. Although you won't always see hues in Arts and Crafts interiors that are as bright and clear as the yellow on the walls, this one works because it both blends with and enlivens the woodwork, upholstery and art-glass window. It's sunny and light without venturing into pastel territory — which would be an Arts and Crafts no-no.
The classic Arts and Crafts palette takes its subtle, muted beauty straight from the natural world: stones, bark, leaves, grasses. Although you don't have to limit yourself to browns and greens, any hues that are less obviously organic — such as blue — should be dusty or dirty. Here's one fail-safe way to approach it: Study the flora and foliage that grow in your home and neighborhood, then translate those colors to your interior.
Look closer: The warm, rich colors in this space meld together as beautifully as they would in the outdoors. Although you won't always see hues in Arts and Crafts interiors that are as bright and clear as the yellow on the walls, this one works because it both blends with and enlivens the woodwork, upholstery and art-glass window. It's sunny and light without venturing into pastel territory — which would be an Arts and Crafts no-no.
Style Secret: Functional Furnishings
Arts and Crafts style is as far from frothy Victorian sofas and ornately carved case goods as it’s possible to go. Instead, it embraces sturdy, unadorned, comfortable furnishings that are built to last and are as much about function as form. What they lack in ornamentation, they make up for in the attention to detail and materials. Although the offerings on the market today aren’t necessarily handmade, as was de rigeur in the past, choose ones that look as though they could be.
Look closer: Most Arts and Crafts-style furniture is heavy on the wood, but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to an aching spine from hard chair seats. Simple leather, cotton or linen upholstery, as in this living space, makes for a softer landing and feels appropriate to the design.
Arts and Crafts style is as far from frothy Victorian sofas and ornately carved case goods as it’s possible to go. Instead, it embraces sturdy, unadorned, comfortable furnishings that are built to last and are as much about function as form. What they lack in ornamentation, they make up for in the attention to detail and materials. Although the offerings on the market today aren’t necessarily handmade, as was de rigeur in the past, choose ones that look as though they could be.
Look closer: Most Arts and Crafts-style furniture is heavy on the wood, but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to an aching spine from hard chair seats. Simple leather, cotton or linen upholstery, as in this living space, makes for a softer landing and feels appropriate to the design.
Style Secret: Natural Flooring
Carpet? So 19th century. Arts and Crafts flooring falls right in step with the natural aesthetic: hardwood (planks or parquet), stone, slate. Tile with an Arts and Crafts glaze, a specially applied matte finish that lends tremendous depth, works beautifully in a mosaic grid. Cork is a great choice as well.
It almost goes without saying that you don’t want to hide these materials under too many rugs, but if you do bring floor coverings in, keep them true to the color scheme, choose a natural weave and don’t get too ornate with the pattern.
Look closer: Avoid flooring that looks too uniform, edgy or mass produced (this is not the time to lay vinyl tiles or experiment with concrete). The slate in this entry bears striking variations in color that show nature’s hand at work, and each piece has a one-of-a-kind pattern that no machine could duplicate.
Carpet? So 19th century. Arts and Crafts flooring falls right in step with the natural aesthetic: hardwood (planks or parquet), stone, slate. Tile with an Arts and Crafts glaze, a specially applied matte finish that lends tremendous depth, works beautifully in a mosaic grid. Cork is a great choice as well.
It almost goes without saying that you don’t want to hide these materials under too many rugs, but if you do bring floor coverings in, keep them true to the color scheme, choose a natural weave and don’t get too ornate with the pattern.
Look closer: Avoid flooring that looks too uniform, edgy or mass produced (this is not the time to lay vinyl tiles or experiment with concrete). The slate in this entry bears striking variations in color that show nature’s hand at work, and each piece has a one-of-a-kind pattern that no machine could duplicate.
Style Secret: Hand-Painted Details
With the Arts and Crafts emphasis on the handmade, stenciled and hand-painted details grew popular as an answer to the manufactured, mass-market wallpapers and other decorative treatments of the Victorian era. Simplicity is the key — keep these touches minimal to avoid visual clutter, which goes against the aesthetic. As with the palette throughout, themes and colors with ties to the natural world always feel appropriate.
Look closer: It's not just about the visuals — it's about the message. The words painted in this stairwell speak to the idea of peace, amity and warmth that goes hand in hand with Arts and Crafts style. Whether you're inscribing a favorite saying or stenciling a leaf pattern, be sure the connotations feel as apt as the decorative flourish.
With the Arts and Crafts emphasis on the handmade, stenciled and hand-painted details grew popular as an answer to the manufactured, mass-market wallpapers and other decorative treatments of the Victorian era. Simplicity is the key — keep these touches minimal to avoid visual clutter, which goes against the aesthetic. As with the palette throughout, themes and colors with ties to the natural world always feel appropriate.
Look closer: It's not just about the visuals — it's about the message. The words painted in this stairwell speak to the idea of peace, amity and warmth that goes hand in hand with Arts and Crafts style. Whether you're inscribing a favorite saying or stenciling a leaf pattern, be sure the connotations feel as apt as the decorative flourish.
Style Secret: Mica and Tiffany Lighting
Arts and Crafts puts less emphasis on accessorizing than some styles, and decorative flotsam is minimal. That means lighting, as one of the only real accents, needs to pop. Both mica and Tiffany (or Tiffany-inspired) glass lamps and fixtures fit the bill: mica for its organic feel and rich glow; Tiffany glass for the proud way it wears its craftsmanship. Although those two lighting styles are Arts and Crafts icons, you could get away with lighting that checks the other boxes (warm-tone metals; clean lines; simple, geometric forms).
Look closer: In keeping with the utilitarian lines and lack of curves that define the Arts and Crafts look, fixtures generally have clean, squarish or angular profiles. Here, the pendant complements the horizontal and vertical planes of the breakfast nook, yet its sloping sides break the tension and prevent a static feel.
Arts and Crafts puts less emphasis on accessorizing than some styles, and decorative flotsam is minimal. That means lighting, as one of the only real accents, needs to pop. Both mica and Tiffany (or Tiffany-inspired) glass lamps and fixtures fit the bill: mica for its organic feel and rich glow; Tiffany glass for the proud way it wears its craftsmanship. Although those two lighting styles are Arts and Crafts icons, you could get away with lighting that checks the other boxes (warm-tone metals; clean lines; simple, geometric forms).
Look closer: In keeping with the utilitarian lines and lack of curves that define the Arts and Crafts look, fixtures generally have clean, squarish or angular profiles. Here, the pendant complements the horizontal and vertical planes of the breakfast nook, yet its sloping sides break the tension and prevent a static feel.
Style Secret: Art Glass
Jewellike in their detail, stained and leaded glass windows and doors are common among Arts and Crafts homes. They feature linear, geometric patterns or motifs that call to mind elements of the natural world.
Look closer: Glass panes such as these are one of the only instances in Arts and Crafts style in which form and function have equal weight. Even so, the windows above don't sacrifice outdoor views in favor of embellishments — the exterior space beyond remains clearly visible.
Jewellike in their detail, stained and leaded glass windows and doors are common among Arts and Crafts homes. They feature linear, geometric patterns or motifs that call to mind elements of the natural world.
Look closer: Glass panes such as these are one of the only instances in Arts and Crafts style in which form and function have equal weight. Even so, the windows above don't sacrifice outdoor views in favor of embellishments — the exterior space beyond remains clearly visible.
Style Secret: Warm Metals
Chrome and steel look as out of place with this style as flip-flops with a cocktail dress. Bronze, brass and copper with oil-rubbed, antique or patinated finishes complement the signature wood tones and enhance the overall feel of warmth. Metals often are hammered or otherwise distressed in a nod to craftsmanship.
Look closer: The oil-rubbed bronze on the fixtures here not only picks up the warmth of the woodwork and stone but also grounds and gives definition to the space. Although the lighting may not be strictly classic Arts and Crafts, its strong, boxy shape and simplicity complement the feel.
Update your doors with new oil-rubbed bronze hardware
Photos: Get more Arts and Crafts home design ideas
Chrome and steel look as out of place with this style as flip-flops with a cocktail dress. Bronze, brass and copper with oil-rubbed, antique or patinated finishes complement the signature wood tones and enhance the overall feel of warmth. Metals often are hammered or otherwise distressed in a nod to craftsmanship.
Look closer: The oil-rubbed bronze on the fixtures here not only picks up the warmth of the woodwork and stone but also grounds and gives definition to the space. Although the lighting may not be strictly classic Arts and Crafts, its strong, boxy shape and simplicity complement the feel.
Update your doors with new oil-rubbed bronze hardware
Photos: Get more Arts and Crafts home design ideas
Simply put: You can’t have Arts and Crafts style without wood. It’s probably the single most important element, and it largely informs the emphasis on natural, organic beauty that defines this decorating approach. You’ll almost never see painted wood in an Arts and Crafts interior — instead, the focus is on rich stains that preserve and showcase the natural beauty of the grain. Oak is the iconic wood of this style, but pine, maple and other indigenous species also appear.
Look closer: Arts and Crafts woodworking isn’t just about the material; it’s also about putting the handiwork on display. In this foyer and living area, you can clearly see the joinery and the meticulous detailing in the paneling, stairways and trim. The stain amplifies, rather than hides, the natural variations in the wood.
Love this style? Find an architect to create your dream home