Decor design is perhaps one of the most difficult things about creating your own personalized interiors. There are far too many places to start, too many colours to choose from and you also need to figure out what your decorating style is like. After all, everyone has their own personal touch when it comes to designing, and your interior tends to reflect what you personally want to show.
But how exactly do you go about finding your own personal style?
A lot of people start with the basics. Perhaps they learn about color theory and use that as a starting point, or maybe they focus on a general theme such as a natural setting or vintage furniture. It can be daunting to try and discover your personal style since you can go through a lot of trial and error, ultimately costing a lot of money and potentially using up a lot of your time.
So to find the perfect style that can reflect your personality, we’ve put together a couple of handy tips that will simplify the process.
Look through decor collections and inspiration
One of the best ways to find inspiration for your decor style is to check out the internet. Whether it’s online decor magazines, Pinterest or even community boards like Reddit, there are a lot of options out there for inspiration. However, do keep in mind that most of these pictures are purely for ideas and you likely won’t be able to buy the exact same things you see. One reason is that people don’t really list the items in their photos, and it’s also possible that they’re no longer in stock. As such, don’t get too carried away when you’re looking through decor collections for inspiration!
Look at the decor you own at the moment
If you’ve even touched your decor before then you’ve probably got a couple of bits around your home that are in a style you enjoy. Perhaps there’s a wallpaper you picked which you love, or maybe there are a couple of paintings that you want to make the focal point of your rooms. Whatever you currently have in your home, there’s a good chance that it’s already quite close to the decor style that you enjoy. As such, it’s a good idea to look around your home as it is now and try to pick a couple of colours or styles that resonate with you.
Check out decor-focused stores
A good way to see what’s available on the market is to just look at different decor stores. Reputable websites like French Knot are a great place to look for inspiration, but there’s also a secret advantage to this; it’s a lot more accessible! One of the challenges of discovering your personal decor style is finding things that actually suit your tastes. This can be offset if you try to pick from things that are already available. This also solves the issue of your items being out of style or tacky.
Look at your wardrobe
Although your home is a great place to unleash your creativity, your wardrobe is also a similar place where you inject your personality and passions. Take a look at your wardrobe and try to pick out pieces that you absolutely adore. Perhaps there are some cultural pieces from another country that you think would make a good base design, or maybe there the colour of your clothes gives you a good indication of what colours you should add to your rooms. Your personal wardrobe is a trove of ideas, so why not consider using it for decor ideas?
Look at your favourite colours
Another fantastic way to discover your personal decor style is to actually look at your favourite colours and what they represent. This isn’t just about colour psychology either, rather, it’s more about identifying where those colors commonly appear. For instance, if you enjoy green and red, then you might be a fan of floral patterns and decor choices. If you’re into whites and greys, then you might prefer a neutral colour palette that would look great in a minimalistic setting. There are plenty of choices once you identify what your favourite colours are and where they appear in the world, so use this as a base to help you discover your personal decor style.
Hire a designer
While it’s not the cheapest way to go about discovering your personal decor style, hiring a designer can save you a lot of time if you just want to skip to the good part; buying things and styling your home. Hiring an interior designer can also save you a lot of time. For example, you could spend a lot more time making decisions about your decor rather than trying different colours and styles for a couple of weeks at a time. Interior designers also typically have connections with contractors and suppliers, meaning they can not only help you find your personal style but also help you transform your interior.
In short, it’s a one-stop solution to take your home to the next level, and it’s generally well worth your time if you’re willing to go the extra mile. That said, it’s also the most expensive option here and you lose some of the magic that you get when you design something yourself. After all, discovering your personal decor style should be a journey of self-discovery and expression, not just something you’re told.
While it can take a long time before you can establish your own personal decor style, we hope that these tips have given you some good advice on how you can begin. It takes a lot of trial and error to truly discover the decor designs that you love, and you’ll probably want to avoid refreshing your decor several times a year since it takes up a lot of time, effort and money. However, it can also be a lot of fun and even eye-opening to finally discover a decor style that suits you best.
Full time I'm an ambitious Head of Marketing and Communications in the luxury industry. Part time, I'm an enthusiastic British Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle blogger and YouTuber from Manchester, UK. This blog has been my outlet for the past 7+ years, and as a longstanding, Award-winning blogger I take the most enjoyment from creating content I truly love and believe in. All authentic. Always.