How to Find Your Home Style

How do I know what my home design style is?  This is a question that I get asked a lot!  And to be honest, it hasn’t always been an easy question for me to answer.  There are elements of almost every design style that I love and am drawn to!  My style has evolved over the years and continues to evolve, and as I’ve be able to experiment in my own home and mature as a designer and an individual I’ve been able to hone in on what exactly MY personal style is.  Currently I would decribe it as eclectic, bohemian and modern.

It takes time and some trial and error to find what you truly love.  So, if you need a place to start or even if you already know your style, here are some good ideas to help you find it or help you stay true to it!

1. Look in your Closet

Yes in your closet!  Your style can be evident in the clothes you wear and in certain patterns or colors that you are drawn to.  Your clothes reflect what you like to have on you and around you, and your home will usually draw a similar style.

2. Start with one piece you LOVE

Do you have one furniture piece or some art that you absolutely love? Something that just makes your heart happy?  Maybe it’s a souvenir from a trip or a thrift store find that caught your eye? You can start here and style the rest of the room from that one piece. Then, you have something you really love to reference as you look for more pieces to style your home.

I helped a client in the past that didn’t know where to start, but just had a single throw pillow that she loved and so we started designing and styling from there and begin to add others pieces to her space that tied into the style that the throw pillow had.

3. Make Pinterest boards

Browse the internet to find and collect images of things you like.  Then go back and look at them to determine what it is exactly what you like in each image.  As you do this you will probably see a pattern emerge.  Maybe you continuously pin images with certain colors and textures? These can start to tell you a lot about what styles you love and what you want to see in your own home.  If you’re curious what I have on my Pinterest boards you can see them here.

4. Make a real-life Pinboard

Layout items that you love or print off pictures that inspire you and tack them up on a corkboard in front of you.  This doesn’t necessarily have to be images of exactly what you want in your home, but rather a collection of images to inspire a feeling.  Sometimes it’s easier to get a feel for your style when the images and textures are right in your hands as opposed to seeing it through a computer screen.

The guest bathroom was the first room I designed in our current home and it really gave me a feel for how I wanted the rest of our home to feel.  I also ordered the shower curtain first so then as I gathered other materials I liked, I could lay them all out together and get an idea for how the space was going to look.

5. Visit showhomes

This is a personal favorite of mine! (And it’s a great FREE date idea too!) Go to the showhomes in your area and see what styles and colors they used in them.  Make note of what you do or don’t like in them and take pictures to save for later.  I always find inspiring ideas when we go visit showhomes.

6. Start by designing one small area

Sometimes a whole room design can feel daunting, especially if you’re not sure what your style is.  Start with a small vignette in your home.  This can be as simple as a fireplace mantel or an end table.  When you find a combination you love, take note of the colors, textures, and art you used and begin to sprinkle those elements throughout your home.

For example, after I found an art piece I loved for my fireplace mantel I styled a few other items with it and then I repeated those blue hues and natural elements throughout my living room to continue the earthy, modern feel I wanted to evoke.

7. Talk with an Interior Designer

It’s perfectly ok to ask an expert.  As an Interior Designer, I stay immersed in the design world so that I can be aware of the best products and materials to be able to help my clients.  I can help you find your design style and find the best options for your home and your budget.  I offer a free consultation to discuss your ideas and plans and from there we can move forward with a design plan that suits your needs.  My services include but are not limited to, floor plans, design concepts, inspiration mood boards, space planning, and paint, material, and furniture selection.  To learn more or to get in touch with me, you can visit my Home and Contact pages.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to learn more about your design style and have given you the confidence to make your home into a space that reflects you and the things you love! And if you’re still unsure or just want someone to bounce ideas off of, send me a message, I’d love to help! 🙂

All Photography by Brock Kryton.