If you read Part 1 of this series, you already know that understanding your design style isn't about following rules — it's about making better decisions during your Seattle home remodel.
We covered transitional, coastal, and organic modern design in Part 1. Now, in Part 2, we're exploring three more styles that show up often in Northeast Seattle homes: mid-century modern, minimalism, and Scandinavian design. Each one brings something different to a space — a different mood, a different rhythm, a completely different way of living.
Keep reading and notice what design style pulls you in. Our biggest piece of advice? Trust your instinct!
Design Styles in this Post:
Mid-Century Modern Design Style
Minimalist Design Style
Scandinavian Design Style
Timeless Shapes. Real Warmth. Just Enough Cool.
Mid-century modern has a reputation for being effortlessly stylish, and honestly? We think it earns it.
The look is structured without being stiff, warm without being heavy, and just interesting enough to make a room feel like someone with taste lives there. It's the design equivalent of a person who shows up to a dinner party in a great blazer and already knows everyone's name.
In Seattle remodels, mid-century modern works especially well in living rooms, and primary suites — anywhere you want personality blended into the bones of the space.
You'll often see:
Living rooms are a natural home for mid-century modern. The style has enough structure to feel intentional, enough warmth to feel lived-in, and enough personality to make the room actually interesting to be in.
For this space, Lead Interior Designer Sara Bone pulled together pieces that do exactly that:
Quiet, Considered, and More Livable Than You Think
Minimalism gets unfairly criticized.
People hear "minimalist" and picture a cold white room with one sad plant in the corner and nowhere to put their keys. That's not minimalism, that's just an unfinished room.
True minimalist design is about clarity and intention. Every piece earns its place. The forms are quiet but confident. And when it's done well, a minimalist space doesn't feel empty — it feels settled. Calm in a way that's genuinely hard to achieve.
For Seattle homeowners planning a home renovation, minimalism works beautifully in family rooms, primary bedrooms, and home offices — spaces where you want to decompress, not decode.
You'll often see:
Family rooms have a tough job. They need to handle movie nights, homework sessions, weekend mornings, and everything in between — while still feeling like a space you actually want to be in.
Minimalism handles this well, as long as the room is layered with intention instead of just stripped down.
For this space, Sara selected:
Practical Meets Beautiful. Cozy Without Trying.
Scandinavian design is beloved for a reason: it figured out how to make the practical feel beautiful, and it never got precious about it.
The lines are simple. The palette stays light. The materials carry the personality. And the whole effect is soft, functional, and refreshingly unfussy — which, if you've ever lived through a Seattle remodel, sounds like exactly what you want on the other side of it.
In Northeast Seattle homes, this style shows up often in home offices, kitchens, and bedrooms. It works especially well in spaces where you need clarity and comfort to coexist.
You'll often see:
Home offices are a natural fit for Scandinavian design. The style supports focus and ease without making a workspace feel corporate or cold — two things no one has ever listed as their design goals.
For this office, Sara chose:
If you’re drawn to elements from more than one style, that’s completely normal. Most homes, especially during a remodel, are a blend.
The goal isn’t to fit into a category. It’s to understand what feels right for how you live.
Our kitchen design style quiz helps you:
If you're planning a remodel and want guidance from a trusted Northeast Seattle interior designer, this is a smart place to begin.
Take the Kitchen Design Style Quiz and discover the direction that fits your home best.