How to find your decorating style?

How to Find Your Decorating Style: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding your decorating style can feel like a daunting task, especially with so many options out there. From modern to bohemian, farmhouse to mid-century modern, the possibilities are endless. However, once you narrow down what resonates with you, your home will feel more like a reflection of your personality and tastes. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you discover your decorating style.

1. Identify Your Interests and Personality

Your decorating style should reflect who you are. Start by thinking about your hobbies, favorite colors, and interests.

• What colors do you love? Think about what colors make you feel calm, energized, or happy. If you love calming shades like blues and greens, a coastal or minimalist style might suit you. If you love bold reds and yellows, you might gravitate toward eclectic or bohemian spaces.
• What do you love doing? If you enjoy cooking, you might prefer a cozy kitchen space with lots of open shelving and vintage touches. If you're an avid traveler, you may lean toward a globally-inspired decor filled with items collected from around the world.

2. Get Inspired

The next step is to gather inspiration. There are so many places you can look to get ideas for your space.

• Pinterest: This platform is a goldmine for visual inspiration. Create a Pinterest board dedicated to home decor and start pinning the images that stand out to you. After a while, patterns and common themes will emerge that can point to your style.
• Magazines and Blogs: Interior design magazines and lifestyle blogs often feature the latest trends and ideas. Take note of the spaces you’re drawn to, and make a note of recurring elements such as color schemes, furniture types, or decor accessories.
• Social Media: Instagram and YouTube are full of home tours and decorating inspiration. Follow influencers or interior designers who share similar tastes to what you think you’d enjoy in your own space.
• Home Visits: Take a look at the homes of friends, family, or even public spaces like cafes and hotels. Seeing real-life examples can spark ideas and give you a better sense of what you want.

3. Consider Your Space

Your home’s layout and architecture can greatly influence your style. A studio apartment will have different needs than a large family home, and this should be considered when choosing your style.

• Small spaces: Opt for designs that make the room feel larger, such as minimalist or Scandinavian styles. Think clean lines, light colors, and multifunctional furniture.
• Large spaces: If you have the luxury of more space, consider a more layered or eclectic style, such as industrial or bohemian, where you can experiment with textures, bold colors, and unique furniture pieces.
• Architectural features: Pay attention to features like exposed beams, fireplaces, and high ceilings. These elements may inspire you to go for a style that embraces these aspects, like rustic, industrial, or modern farmhouse.

4. Experiment with Mood Boards

Once you’ve gathered your ideas and identified some themes that resonate with you, create a mood board.

• A mood board can be physical (cutting images from magazines and gluing them onto a board) or digital (using a platform like Pinterest or Canva). Collect photos of rooms, furniture, colors, textures, and even fabrics that align with your vision.
• A mood board will give you a clear idea of how various elements come together and whether they fit your personality and the feel you want to create in your home.

5. Narrow Down Your Options

If you find that you're drawn to multiple styles, that’s okay! It’s completely normal to blend different influences into one cohesive look. For example, you might love modern design but want to incorporate rustic wooden accents for warmth. Or you might enjoy the simplicity of minimalist spaces but with bohemian-inspired textiles.

• Fusion styles: Many interior designers use a fusion approach, blending several styles. For example, a boho-chic minimalist space might incorporate clean lines but also use textiles and plants to create a cozy atmosphere.
• Consistency: Keep the overall tone and color scheme consistent throughout your home to avoid visual clutter. While you can mix and match styles, try to stay within a color palette that ties everything together.

6. Trust Your Instincts

Ultimately, your decorating style should reflect who you are and make you feel comfortable. Don’t be afraid to trust your gut and choose what feels right for you.

• Don’t overthink it: Sometimes the best spaces come together when you simply go with your instincts. Start with one item, like a favorite piece of art or a comfy sofa, and build from there.
• Evolution over time: Your decorating style may evolve over time as your preferences change. Don’t worry if you don’t feel fully locked into one style. As you live in your space, you’ll naturally discover what works best for you.

Popular Decorating Styles to Inspire You

Here are a few popular decorating styles that you can draw inspiration from when determining your style:

• Minimalist: Characterized by clean lines, neutral colors, and simple furniture. The goal is to create a clutter-free environment that’s serene and functional.
• Bohemian (Boho): A relaxed and eclectic style that incorporates lots of textures, bold colors, and vintage or globally inspired pieces. It’s all about creating a carefree, artistic atmosphere.
• Scandinavian: Known for its simplicity, functionality, and emphasis on light. Scandinavian rooms often feature light woods, neutral tones, and minimalist furniture with lots of natural light.
• Industrial: This style embraces raw, unfinished materials like brick, metal, and wood. It often features open shelving and exposed pipes or beams, giving it an edgy, urban feel.
• Mid-Century Modern: This style incorporates retro elements with clean lines, organic forms, and functional furniture. It’s all about simple elegance and bold colors.
• Farmhouse: A warm and cozy style with rustic charm. This often includes wood accents, vintage furniture, and a neutral color palette that creates an inviting, homey atmosphere.
• Coastal: Inspired by the beach, coastal style features light, airy spaces with soft blues, whites, and neutrals. It evokes a relaxed, tranquil feel reminiscent of oceanfront living.

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Style

Finding your decorating style doesn’t have to be stressful. By reflecting on your personality, gathering inspiration, and experimenting with mood boards, you’ll be able to discover a style that makes you feel truly at home. Don’t be afraid to combine elements from different styles and let your space evolve over time. At the end of the day, your room should be a place that feels like an extension of yourself—cozy, comfortable, and uniquely yours.