With the rise of social media, design styles are all around us, almost all the time! It’s a different age for both interior designers and people designing their own homes. It can seem overwhelming to truly understand and know your own personal style, when you are shifted by the whims of your feed, but it’s so important. Knowing your personal design style shapes your buying habits, the feel of your home, and the way it makes you feel. It affects our loved ones and the way they feel when they walk into our home. It’s special and unique. Here’s a few ways to figure out what your personal style is, and how to hone it:
Source: Ballard Designs on Pinterest
-Cruise the aisles of your nearest home store, and see what draws your eye: Sometimes, when you shop, you find out that what you thought you loved isn’t what continually draws you in. If you can, accumulate the things you love into one cart, and snap a photo. It can help you make an inspiration board or mood board, and can solidify the look you are going for.
-Look at where you draw inspiration from: Do you love interior design magazines? Do you enjoy putting together boards on Pinterest? Do you find awe inspiring ideas when you’re in nature (hiking or walking)? These can help guide your design choices, whether they are bold, earthy, or bohemian. Oftentimes, your wardrobe reflects a little bit of your personal taste as well. People who love neutral clothing and staple pieces often also love a minimalist and stripped down design style. Those willing to take more risks usually reflect this in their wardrobe and their home.
-Think about what your home or space is used for: If you want a very cozy feel, with warmth and texture, then a farmhouse aesthetic is likely what you will gravitate to (or least elements of it). If you love entertaining and enjoy modern flair, you may love wide open spaces with accents like marble and gold. It also helps to take into consideration that your taste can change over time. If you have little ones at home, your style may reflect an easier, simpler version of your personal tastes, simply because of the utility of your needs. In ten years from now, you may be able to incorporate things you aren’t able to yet.
Pinterest via Serena and Lilly
-Start with anchor pieces, and work your way out: If you love kitschy items, and you buy a huge gold pineapple at Home Goods, you may have trouble building a room around it. It’s more ideal to start with a beautiful piece of furniture, like a couch or bed, in order to get a clearer picture and prevent yourself from ending up with tons of small, stylish pieces that have no cohesive element. Always start with a color palette, or anchor pieces of furniture in order to solidify your style.