First things first- unless you have unlimited resources, a well-decorated home takes time! It can take some time to settle in and discover the interior decor style that works for you, at this moment and in this house. And sometimes our style changes with a new house, a new city, or even a shift in personal lives. And it can be all too easy to compare yourself or your home to others sometimes. In a world where social media is flooded with meticulously curated interiors, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to create a living space that truly reflects your personality. Or maybe you have many different interior decor styles you love and can’t narrow down which one to choose? Well friends, finding your signature style is easier than you might think. With a little planning and introspection, you can transform your living space and the way you think about it.
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How to Find Your Interior Style
I’ll guide you through the process of uncovering your one-of-a-kind home decor style. From identifying your aesthetic preferences to sourcing inspiration and curating a cohesive and personalized look. By the end of this article, you’ll have the tools and confidence to create a living environment that truly reflects your personality and brings you joy every single day. So, let’s key in and unlock your dream home!
Having Realistic Expectations
Do you ever find yourself feeling a little envious or down on yourself or your home while scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest, seeing effortlessly chic homes? Perhaps wishing you could achieve that same level of design mastery, elegant style, or perfect organization. I think we all have.
Without climbing onto a soap box, I’ll just say that please remember, those photos of gorgeous homes on Instagram, Pinterest, and even this blog are heavily curated.
Let’s be clear- curated doesn’t mean fake, it just means staged! Those photos are just snapshots of one moment of time. I take photos of my home for this blog when my kids are at school or occupied, my dogs are outside, and after I’ve spent hours cleaning. I also take photos at the prettiest times of the day when the rooms are filled with natural light.
This isn’t because I am trying to mislead anyone, it is just me putting my best foot forward.
I am someone who really prefers a clean and organized space, so my home is generally clean. But, I have three stepkids and 4 dogs and a big fun backyard full of dirt and mud. My home doesn’t always look perfect and that’s okay.
My beloved Grandfather Harry had a sign in his house that said something like “This house is clean enough to be safe, and dirty enough to be fun!”
Take Grandpa Harry’s sage advice and find balance in your life and home! Consider this at each step below.
Good Things Take Time
I get it, believe me. We all want to skip to the good part where our homes are perfectly decorated! We just moved our family of 5 into an 80-year-old brick farmhouse, and now that we are settled, I cannot wait to start making it my own. I have so many ideas that my head is literally spinning and my Pinterest boards are out of control. But, I am so glad I waited a few months to recover from the stress of moving and to really understand the home’s character before choosing my design plans.
Even so, I can’t do it all at once as time and budget will not allow that. I’ll have to tackle one project at a time, knowing the process of making this home might take years. I also want to make sure I am shopping in a way that feels not only practical but sustainable. I want to buy slowly over time and try to DIY or shop second-hand when possible. Almost everything on this mantle was thrifted or purchased from a local artist.
So take your time! Find quality pieces that fit your style.
Assess Your Personal Interior Style Preferences
Our tastes change over time as we are exposed to new ideas, but I’ll bet there are some things you always come back to. Trust that and write those down!
The first step in finding your home decor style is to take a deep dive into your past design choices and favorite aesthetics. What colors, materials, and overall vibes have you consistently gravitated towards? Identifying these patterns will provide valuable insights into the core elements that resonate with you on a personal level.
Perhaps you’ve always been drawn to the warm, earthy tones and natural textures of boho-chic decor. Or maybe you’re captivated by the sleek, minimalist lines of contemporary design. Whatever your inclinations, it’s time to get to know yourself on a deeper level.
As you assess your personal style preferences, ask yourself: What feelings and emotions do I want my home to evoke? Do I crave a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, or do I prefer a more serene, spa-like ambiance? By tapping into the emotional response you hope to elicit, you’ll be able to make more intentional design choices that truly resonate with you.
Explore Interior Style Inspiration Sources
With a clearer understanding of your personal aesthetic, it’s time to explore the vast world of home decor inspiration. Scour the depths of Pinterest, Instagram, and design blogs or magazines (does anyone still read magazines?) to curate a mood board that captures the essence of your desired style. This visual representation will serve as a North Star, guiding your future decisions and helping you stay true to your vision.
If you are new to interior decorating and want an overview of some of today’s most popular styles, read my post on design trends of 2024/ 2025.
But don’t limit yourself to online sources – seek out in-person inspiration as well. Visit local design showrooms, model homes, and your favorite home goods stores to immerse yourself in the physical realm of home decor. Attend design events and workshops in your community to connect with industry experts and fellow design enthusiasts. The more you expose yourself to diverse design styles, the better equipped you’ll be to refine and define your own unique aesthetic.
Design and Place
One hallmark of good interior style is a design that fits you and feels natural in the space. Designing the interior of a rustic cabin in the woods to look like a cool, sleek, white, and black New York City loft might feel a little out of place. Same with a super beachy villa vibe in the suburbs of Ohio.
Of course, these rules are only suggestions and you can do as you wish, but in general, it makes sense to match the design to the region and environment, if you want the design to feel seamless.
Develop a Cohesive Color Palette
Color is the foundation of any well-designed space. And finding the right palette is crucial to achieving a cohesive, visually stunning interior decor style. Start by determining a core color scheme that will tie your entire space together. This could be a complementary color duo, a triadic color scheme, or a monochromatic palette – the choice is yours.
Many designers like those at The Spruce suggest using the 60-30-10 rule when planning your color palette.
The rule suggest that 60% of the larger items like couches and rugs should be your main color, 30 % smaller items such as throw pillows, curtains, and accent walls should be your secondary color, and the remaining 10% should serve as as accent color, found in small items like decor and throw blankets.
A note: using only three shades of the same three hues can look a little cold and even juvenile. Once you’ve established your primary colors, experiment with various shades, tints, and hues to add depth and dimension.
Incorporate pops of accent colors to create visual interest and draw the eye to specific focal points. Remember, the goal is to achieve a harmonious balance that reflects your personal style preferences.
As you play with color, consider how different hues can evoke specific moods and emotions. Warm tones like reds, oranges, and yellows tend to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere, while cool tones like blues and greens often elicit a sense of calm and tranquility. Understand how these color associations can contribute to the overall ambiance of your home decor style.
Incorporate Texture and Layering
Interior style is about more than just color – it’s also about texture and layering. Mixing and matching a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, stone, and natural fibers, can add depth and visual interest to your space. Juxtapose smooth and rough surfaces, and soft and rigid textures, to create a visually striking balance.
Layering is another essential element of cultivating your interior decor style. Incorporate plush throws, decorative pillows, and artfully arranged accessories to build depth and coziness. By playing with different textures and layers, you can craft a living space that feels warm, inviting, and undeniably your own.
Remember, the key to mastering texture and layering is to strike a balance. Avoid overwhelming the space with too many competing elements – instead, focus on creating a harmonious blend that complements your overall design aesthetic.
Embrace Functionality and Practicality
While aesthetics are undoubtedly important, it’s essential to strike a balance between form and function when it comes to your interior decor style. Invest in multi-functional furniture and storage solutions that not only look beautiful but also serve a practical purpose.
Optimize your space for the way you live and entertain. After all, your home should be a reflection of your lifestyle. Carefully consider the flow and level of traffic, the placement of key furnishings, and the integration of technology to ensure your living space is both visually appealing and highly functional.
Instead of a coffee table, we opted for this large storage ottoman to store all our throw blankets, extra pillows, and occasionally kid’s toys out of sight.
Think about this when selecting your color palette. An all-white living room might be gorgeous in photos, but won’t work well if you have kids and dogs. I chose a dark-colored and heavily patterned rug in this room because it is in a high-traffic zone in our house. Our living room is connected to both our front and back yards, so kids and dogs are frequently running through here. I absolutely love this rug and feel like it is of exceptional quality for its price point. I bought it with an extra thick rug pad, so it’s comfortable enough for relaxing.
By embracing a practical approach to home decor, you’ll create a living environment that not only looks stunning but also supports your daily routines and activities. Your signature style should be a harmonious blend of form and function, ensuring that your space is both beautiful and highly livable.
Personalize Your Interior Style with Meaningful Touches
The final piece of the puzzle in finding your home decor style is to infuse your space with personal touches that tell your unique story. Incorporate sentimental objects, family heirlooms, and artwork that hold special meaning for you. Display personal photographs and mementos that capture the people, places, and experiences that have shaped your life.
My husband and I are both artists and painters and have several of our own pieces hung around our home. But I also love to buy and frame art prints at every museum we go to. I also love thrifting and finding unique pieces.
Beyond the visual elements, consider how you can integrate your hobbies, interests, and passions into your home decor. Curate a collection of items that reflect your unique personality and create a living space that feels truly tailor-made for you.
Remember, your home is a reflection of who you are – embrace the opportunity to let your individuality shine through. By incorporating these meaningful touches, you’ll create a living environment that nourishes your soul and ignites a sense of joy every time you step through the door.
Putting It All Together: Crafting Your Signature Interior Decor Style
Creating a home that is a reflection of your personality and preferences will not only help you create a space you love, but it will help you withstand the shifting tastes and trends in the world of interior style.
Here’s a quick recap of the key steps to unlocking your signature home decor style in 2024:
- Assess Your Personal Style Preferences: Identify the colors, materials, and overall vibes that consistently resonate with you.
- Explore Home Decor Inspiration Sources: Curate and create a mood board, seek out in-person inspiration, and immerse yourself in the design community.
- Develop a Cohesive Color Palette: Establish a core color scheme and experiment with complementary hues, tints, and shades.
- Incorporate Texture and Layering: Mix and match materials, balance smooth and rough surfaces, and build depth through layered accessories.
- Embrace Functionality and Practicality: Invest in multi-functional furniture and optimize your space for your lifestyle.
- Personalize Your Space with Meaningful Touches: Infuse your home with sentimental objects, personal photographs, and reflections of your hobbies and interests.
By weaving these elements together, you’ll create a living space that not only looks stunning but also feels like a true extension of your unique personality.
Discovering and embracing your signature style is the key to creating a home that truly nourishes your soul. With the insights and strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to crafting a living space that feels uniquely made, just for you. Best wishes as you start cultivating your signature interior decor style today!
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