Intrigued by Mission-style decor, but unsure how to put together a true Mission-style home? We’ve laid out the basics to decorating in Mission style below.

What is Mission Style?
How to Decorate in Mission Style

What Is Mission Style?

Characterized as simple, casual, and comfortable, Mission style originated in the late 19th century as a popular manifestation of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. The movement celebrated simple, robust handiwork and natural, hardy materials, especially oak. After the age of ornate, luxurious Victorian furniture, mission craftsmen sought to bring furniture production back to the basics, with practicality and craftsmanship prioritized above beauty. Mission-style furniture typically lacks any kind of decoration or ornamentation that isn’t integral to the structure of the piece. The Mission design style falls under the umbrella of craftsman-style interiors but with a pared-back, simplistic edge. Learn more in our guide on What Is Craftsman Style?

Though the style was prominent from the late 1800s to the 1930s, Amish craftsmen and seasoned furniture artisans still produce Mission-style furniture and Mission decor with just as much care and craftsmanship as the original Mission designers.

How to Decorate in Mission Style

Mission-style rooms are warm and inviting with an air of heritage. With clean-lined silhouettes and earthy neutrals, mission-style design is approachable and comfortable.

Mission-Style Color Palette

Typically, a Mission-style home is decorated with earth tones like emerald green, russet, and tan, because those colors beautifully complement dark oak Mission furniture. Bright greens, blues, yellows, and reds look stunning in contrast to those more muted hues, but use them sparingly. Brightly-dyed throws or pillows and painted pottery can bring more concentrated color into your Mission-style room without derailing the rest of the design. Woven fabrics with Mission-style motifs of vines and flowers can add intrigue to what might otherwise be a less-engaging color palette.

Mission-Style Materials

Mission-style design often relies on rich textures and durable materials. Think leather upholstery, woven textiles, iron light fixtures, and plenty of solid wood. These high-quality materials lend themselves to timeless style and long-lasting comfort that's perfect for mission-style bedrooms and living spaces.

Mission-Style Furniture

Furniture that's Mission style heavily features vertical and horizontal lines and flat panels, such as slatted headboards or paneled dresser drawers. Those features, with the help of a dark finishing stain, show off the natural beauty of the wood grain (especially oak). Architecture that fits Mission style is typically found in Craftsman-style bungalows with large mantels above fireplaces. From expertly-crafted panel beds and dressers to sofas, accent chairs, coffee tables, and dining sets, there are so many ways to infuse your space with Mission style!

Mission-Style Decor

Unlike the intricate stained glass windows that can be found in many places of worship around the world, Mission-style stained glass panels feature simple geometric shapes – often with 90° angles. Mission-style stained glass can be found in small panels meant to be hung individually in windows or fashioned into lamp shades. The glass panel colors used are typically limited to earth tones and dark jewel tones, with many panes kept colorless.

Get started decorating your own Mission-style living room with Mission style decor staples: slatted wood furniture, lighting with sharp, angular shades, stained glass window panels, earth-toned throws and accent pillows, and graphic rugs.