How to find your interior design style once and for all!
There are currently so many blog posts and magazine articles out there about all the interior design styles out there. “So many of them,” I thought to myself as I was flicking through various pins on Pinterest and articles on Google (as one does on a Saturday morning, or is it just me?). It was very inspiring to see all the possibilities and freedom of expression that come with each design style. This is what interior design can offer people. The freedom to express yourself, who you are, as a person.
But it also made me realise just how ease people can become overwhelmed by the choices. Just how many interior design styles there are at the moment. And I really mean a lot of them. Just look at some of them below. How can you possibly know which one is truly yours?
Modern Style
Contemporary Style
Mid-Century Style
Minimalist Style
Scandinavian Style
Shabby Chic Style
Eclectic Style
Industrial Style
Farmhouse Style
Boho – Bohemian Style
Coastal Style
Country Side Style
Japandi Style
Rustic Style
Traditional Style,
etc.
I get how this can feel overwhelming. I'd be that way too! Thinking about what each style means about me? And if someone were to ask you "What is your design style?", you'd probably try to remember the last image that you saw or that inspired you on Pinterest or on Instagram, something that you loved. Perhaps pick something from the last design magazine you flicked through a couple of months ago at the supermarket. No, my lovely, there is no need for any of that.
Simply put, your design style is literally, anything that you love, anything that makes you happy every time you see it!
Photo by Studio Gently
Forget about all the online quizzes, all the articles about why X or Y is your design style over others, or any kind of "rules", "readings" or anything anybody else said to you at one point in your life. No! Your unique, authentic style is anything that brings you joy. That is it! It can be a few things or however many, it can be something that is quirky, calm, colourful, neutral, flowery, zig-zaggy, bold...literally anything.
There is no point to try and put yourself in a box, lovely. Even if with some many options out there. There are so many design styles that have not even been invented yet. I mean just look at Japandi style, for example. That didn't exist until a couple of years ago. And when it did arrive, oh boy, did my heart sing with joy. Why? Because I felt seen and understood. I felt like I was hugging and being hugged by a little, snuggly teddy bear. I felt like I found my design style! Why? Because of the feelings this design style was giving me. I was feeling peace, calm, cosiness, comfort, space (fewer things), and an accent on nature. All of these things are basically my life values. Something I want to work towards. This is the world I want to live my life in and surround myself with if that makes sense. And I want that for you as well.
So now that you kind of understand what I am hinting at, your design style is basically shaped by your own personal values and all the things you like.
But enough chit-chat around it. Let’s actually find out how you can actually find out what is your design style!
What do you say? Let’s do a little exercise together. A quick pen-to-paper (or keyboard-to-screen - whichever one works best for you). I want you to create 2 lists.
One list is all about your values, and what is important to you. This can be anything from just listing words such as calm, joy, purposeful, fun, peaceful, bold, etc. Or it can also be a phrase. I.e. feeling inspired every morning, or moving your body every couple of days.
Second - make a list (however short or long) of all the things you love or make you happy. This can be anything from your favourite tea, walks in the park, your cat or your dog, to dancing like nobody's watching. Your favourite song or mug that reminds you of that one trip with your friends to another country, etc.
Photo by Studio Gently
BONUS (yes, there is always a bonus), go look into your wardrobe. See what are your favourite clothes that you wear all the time, and the ones that bring you so much joy when you see them again and again.
Now, once you've done all of these 3 things, I want you to look at everything and try to find what is the common thread. What colours do come through, and what kind of materials do you have around you? Perhaps there is a lot of brass or ceramic/terracotta, wood is present, and a lot of plants (yes, that counts too). Also, do you have more clothes in plain colours or maybe patterns (animal, flowery, geometric) present in your wardrobe? Things like that.
What all of this does, is reveal what your style foundations are. If this is what you love to surround yourself with, you can rest assured that you won't go wrong with this on a larger scale too, meaning with your home.
Remember that whatever you are drawn to, it matters. Your design style is simply YOU! No matter what anybody else says. Always HONOUR what makes you happy!
Once you have found your common threads, you have a starting point for your own, authentic design style. From this place, there is always room to grow! Oh, how exciting!! Can you tell I am excited for you? Okay, that is all great. But what can you do from here on?
From this place, you can start pulling images that have these common things on Pinterest, or from any source you’d like. I know Pinterest can drag you into a bit of a rabbit hole (I'm speaking from experience, and as an interior designer, I should know better). But, you want to be focused on creating inspiring boards that not only keep you motivated but can also help you in the future if you want to take some steps towards transforming your home.
If you notice that you end up with hundreds of photos in there, and you start feeling overwhelmed, the answer is to simply EDIT DOWN the photos! If you don't know how to even start doing that, don't worry, I've got you covered. You can do the exercise I explained here.
That is it. You have found your CORE interior design style! The things that truly make your heart sing every time you see them. And my lovely, that is the real win here. Everything else is just putting cherries on top of the cake. You have found and created your unique, bespoke cake. Nowhere but up from here!
If you find that you are still having a bit of trouble, or you’d like a helping hand through this process to make sure you have everything pinned down, do not hesitate to get in touch. It would be my pleasure to help. Don’t forget to also have a look at my quick services here, it might be helpful.
NOW YOU KNOW!
Until next time, Xx
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All images that are credited as '©Detail Movement', are done by Raluca Vaduva for Detail Movement. All rights reserved. All pictures that are not my own, I credit them to the best of my knowledge & research, to their offline/online sources. I do not claim ownership over them in any way. If you see your picture on this site and do not wish for it to be displayed, please get in touch and I will remove it or add additional notes at your request.