decor

decor — noun

1. the visual character of a room or building created by its decoration, including

1.nounB2
Definition

the visual character of a room or building created by its decoration, including the colours, furniture, and smaller decorative items

Example

Pedro chose a modern decor with clean lines and neutral colours for his apartment.

the + decor + with + [features]

The restaurant's colourful decor reminded Eshe of a tropical garden she had visited long ago.

Common collocations
  • modern decor
  • traditional decor
  • minimalist decor
  • elegant decor
  • colourful decor
  • home decor
  • interior decor
  • festive decor
  • rustic decor
  • neutral decor
Synonyms
  • decoration

    broader term; can refer to individual ornaments, the act of decorating, or the overall style, whereas decor focuses on the cohesive style

  • interior design

    refers to the profession or process of planning a space, not just the visual result

  • furnishings

    narrower — specifically furniture, carpets, curtains, and movable objects, not the overall colour-and-style scheme

Grammar Patterns

decor + is/was + adjective

the + decor + of + [room/building]

Usage Note

Typically uncountable — avoid using a plural form. Often preceded by the definite article when referring to a specific space ('the decor of the café').

Common Mistakes

I love the decors in this shop.
I love the decor in this shop.
decor is uncountable even when referring to multiple rooms or displays.
She bought some nice decors for the party.
She bought some nice decorations for the party.
decor refers to the overall style, not individual ornamental objects.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Decoration is the broadest of these terms — it can refer to individual ornamental items, the act of decorating, or the overall style of a space. Decor, by contrast, focuses specifically on the cohesive visual character of a room or building. Interior design refers to the professional field of planning layouts, colours, and materials, while decor describes the resulting look. Furnishings are narrower, limited to furniture, carpets, curtains, and other movable objects. Styling overlaps with decor in describing the overall look, but is also used for fashion and photography. For example: She studied interior design at university / The hotel's decor was warm and inviting / The furnishings were all antique / The room's styling gave it a 1950s feel.

decoration ↗interior designfurnishings ↗styling

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • beautifully decorated
  • tastefully decorated

Phrases

  • decor and furnishings
  • decor and layout
  • decor and atmosphere

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Borrowed from French décor ('scenery, stage set, decoration'), which came from Latin decorare ('to adorn, beautify, embellish'). The word first appeared in English in the late 1800s, originally used in theatre to describe stage design, and later broadened to mean the overall decorative style of any interior space.