Issue 10: Tips to Discover Your Unique Design Style
Your interior style tells a story about who you are. Defining your interior design style allows you to make decorating choices that pull a room together rather than feeling haphazard or disjointed. With a clear style in mind, you can easily evaluate if a new furniture piece or accessory fits your vision. You can also see how to add new items that compliment pieces that you already own. Over time you create a cohesive space reflecting your tastes. Knowing your style also makes shopping less stressful and helps prevent wasted purchases. You can zero in on pieces that align with your aesthetic as opposed to aimlessly wandering through stores.
So how exactily do you uncover your unique interior design style? It requires getting to know your preferences, finding inspiration, and experimenting to see what brings you joy. With some guidance and reflection, you can discover the style that authentically captures your personality.
Assess Your Tastes
A great way to start finding your personal interior design style is to assess what you're intuitively drawn to. My first step is to make a mood board of images, fabrics, colors, and textures that appeal to you. Look through home decor magazines and catalogs and tear out or print anything that catches your eye. Search sites like Houzz, Pinterest, and Instagram to save photos of rooms, furniture, and accents you love. There is also a cool “Save to pinterest” extension that you can add to your browser, that allows you to pin any image from any website to your pinterest board, You can check out how to install it to your browser here
Go through your home and make note of the items you already own that bring you joy. Pay attention to the patterns, materials, and color palettes you're attracted to. Arrange all of these inspirations into a physical or digital mood board. My Favourate digital tools are Canva or Milanote. Both free to use and are a great way to organise your inspiration images.
Look for common threads that reflect your tastes. For example, you may notice you're consistently attracted to bright, bold patterns or prefer a more neutral palette. Defining these preferences will help narrow down the design styles you naturally lean towards.
Look at Your Existing Home
Take a walk through your current living space and make notes about your decor. Are there any patterns that emerge in your color scheme, furniture styles, textures, or accessories? Note which design elements you already have a lot of in your home. For example, if you notice you own mostly antique wooden furniture, that's a clue you may like traditional style. Or if you have a lot of bright, colorful accent pillows and art, you could lean toward contemporary or bohemian styles. Don't ignore small details either - if you have a collection of objects from your travels, that's a sign you may like an eclectic global style. Make a list of the main design elements you notice in each room. Do you see a particular era, culture, or aesthetic appearing frequently? Do you have more soft curves or sleek lines in your furnishings? More floral prints or solids? Document how different rooms in your home relate to each other in terms of style. Seeing what you already own and use can reveal the looks you are instinctively drawn toward.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Your interior design style should complement your lifestyle and day-to-day activities. Think about your routine, habits, and how you use your home. For example, if you love to cook, focus on creating a dream kitchen with adequate prep space, storage, and high-end appliances. If you frequently work from home, consider a dedicated home office where you can be productive. If you have young kids, choose durable, easy-to-clean fabrics and safe, sturdy furniture. Make sure your design allows you to live comfortably and functionally. A cluttered home filled with impractical decor is beautiful to look at but difficult to actually live in. Prioritize pieces that are multi-functional, comfortable, and family-friendly if that suits your life. The right interior design will make your day-to-day experiences in your home as enjoyable as possible.
Identify Priorities Before deciding on a specific style
Make a list of the top things you want your space to achieve. This will help guide you in the right direction as you search for inspiration. Some key aspects to consider:
Functionality: How will you use the space and what features are most important? Do you need a lot of storage, a workspace, space to entertain? Focus on must-have functional elements.
Mood: What overall atmosphere do you want to create - energetic, cozy, sleek, relaxed? Identify moods that you find appealing.
Aesthetics: What visual style do you find attractive - minimalist, retro, bohemian, modern, antique? Make note of decorative details you're drawn to.
Lifestyle: How does your interior design need to support your lifestyle and daily activities? Incorporate your hobbies, work habits and entertainment preferences.
Personality: Are there family heirlooms, travel souvenirs or pieces gifted to you that you want to display? Let your space reflect your memories.
Budget: Set realistic expectations for what you can afford. Prioritize investments that will make the biggest impact.
Clearly defining your priorities first will help you zero in on a cohesive interior design direction that brings your vision to life. Focus on the key elements that matter most before getting distracted by specific furniture and finishes. Your personal style will emerge more organically.
Experiment
Before overhauling your entire home or making big investments in a singular style, try experimenting with different looks on a small scale. This allows you to get a feel for what you like without the commitment. Here are some ideas for easy experiments:
Rearrange furniture or décor and see how different setups affect the vibe. Does a cozy reading nook in the corner create a different feeling than floating furniture in the middle of the room?
Try a fresh coat of paint on an accent wall. Paint is easy to re-do, so don't be afraid to paint and repaint a wall until you find a hue you love.
Style a shelf or tablescape with items that represent different aesthetics - modern, traditional, minimalist, eclectic, etc. Which styling speaks to you most?
The key is to start small and create low-stakes ways to experiment. Pay attention to your instinctive reactions and emotions. Let your experiments guide you closer towards discovering your personal style.
Consult Experts
When you're struggling to pin down your personal interior design style, it can be immensely helpful to consult an interior designer who can provide an outside perspective. Look for designers who seem to understand and share your general aesthetic tastes. Then explain the look and feel you're going for, showing example photos. A good designer will listen to your goals and preferences, assess your existing space, and suggest ideas to bring your vision to life. Although hiring a designer has a cost, their expertise can save you time and money in the long run. Im my business for example, I have the option of a one off consultation where I will work for an hour or two with a client helping to come up with ideas and solutions for a specific problem. This is a good alternative if you would like tha help of a professional, but perhaps do not have the need for a complete design package.
Embrace Your Style
Your personal interior design style represents your unique taste and life. Once you've determined what draws you to certain aesthetics, don't second-guess yourself. Be confident in expressing your personal preferences through your home's design. Interior design styles are deeply personal and subjective. What delights your senses or makes you feel at home may not be right for someone else. I for example am drawn to natural woods, unique items and like my spaces to feel cozy and casual, so for someone looking for a high end luxury designer, I am not for them. But that's the beauty of interior design - there are no absolute rights and wrongs when it comes to decorating your own space. Have fun implementing your favored colors, textures, patterns, and arrangements. Seek out furnishings and accessories that appeal to you. Display cherished collections that reflect your interests and experiences. Infuse spaces with meaning through sentimental keepsakes. The goal is to create an environment that nurtures your spirit. Your home should be a sanctuary that encourages you to relax and recharge. Surround yourself with design elements that spark joy and contentment. Don't hesitate to switch things up if your needs or tastes change over time. Your personal style will likely evolve, and your home can evolve with it. The possibilities are endless when you embrace your unique vision. Decorate unapologetically and authentically according to your instincts and preferences. Make choices that make you smile each time you walk through your front door. When you stay true to your style, you'll always feel right at home.