Whether it concerns tastes in fashion or home decor, personal style preferences change over the years. As the world around us advances, we do too! It’s normal and encouraged to open our horizons to new possibilities. When it comes to how to find your unique interior design style, it’s important to remain open to unexpected inspiration while also integrating your unique approach.
Explore Different Style Options
There are many classic interior design styles, but even these are constantly refined. One of the first things to do when exploring interior design options is to familiarize yourself with the various styles.
Do you prefer traditional elements? Or, do you appreciate more modern, eclectic, bohemian, or Scandinavian styles? It’s possible that you don’t quite know what you like at this stage of your life. That’s perfectly okay! Now is the time to look at your options and to see what jumps out. Luckily, endless resources are available at our fingertips, and this can be done quickly and easily!
Alternatively, you may see options that you instantly know do not represent who you are. Knowing what you don’t like is equally as helpful as knowing what you do like. It helps to eliminate some style options right off the bat. This leaves more time to pursue the styles that pique your interest and fit into your vision better.
Create An Inspiration Board
Consider how you want the room(s) to make you feel. Are some rooms going to be devoted to being calmer areas? Will other rooms be used for higher-energy activities? How these rooms are used will affect their design style. For example, the design of a room used as a home yoga studio will differ from that of a family game room.
With this being said, having an interior design style idea in mind is completely different than seeing it in the space itself. To save resources on trying a long list of style options, compile images of color, furniture, and theme options. Whether they are physical photos from magazines or they are found online on websites such as Instagram and Pinterest to make a digital collage, having visual aids can help ascertain what feels right for you.
Narrow Down Your Preferences
Take a look at how your home is styled now. Analyze the existing patterns and color schemes, accessories, and furniture styles. Are there aspects of it that you want to keep? What do you like about these elements? Is it because of the design or simply the memories attached to it? If you dislike particular areas of the room, what exactly are the room’s sore points? How can they be changed to suit your lifestyle better?
Think about how the space makes you feel versus how you want to feel with the above points in mind. Do you want to turn a colder room into a cozier space? Do you want to feel calm? Or, do you need the space to encourage more energy?
Lifestyle Needs
For many, the main focus during interior design renovations is the appearance. This is undoubtedly an important factor, as you live in the space and will see it daily. Another priority should be to consider how you live in the space. While we encourage striving to include certain aspects in the interior design, it is also important to prioritize the function of the space.
Some questions that may help to pinpoint what the best use of the space would be are:
– How do you spend the majority of your time at home?
– Do you have children?
– Are events and celebrations often held at your home?
– Does the space require a more open space to host get-togethers?
– Do you prefer a minimalist lifestyle?
– What takes up the most of your time and energy at home?
– Are there ways to improve the space to accommodate what is needed to enjoy certain activities?
Personalizing The Selected Style
Once you find the proper balance of practicality and aesthetics, the main goal is to focus on what truly makes you feel at ease in your space and to augment it. If you wish to add a few experimental pieces to see how they make you feel, then all the better! It doesn’t mean that it will stay this way forever.
Think of the colors you enjoy and define the desired color palette. Then, incorporate furniture pieces that integrate well with this chosen style. Keep in mind, this is your space. The inspiration you discovered does not need to dictate every single piece and color selection. Make the space your own!
If you want to do this on a smaller scale, adding personalized touches is the way to accomplish this. For example, adding special family pieces that have been passed down, unique artwork, or souvenirs from experiences and/or travels.
In some cases, this is avoided due to the belief that it will simply look like a room that is overrun with knick-knacks. However, limit the number of items! Display them in an organized fashion to showcase them, rather than have them become clutter.
Attention To Details
Every individual, family, and home is different- this makes every home intrinsically unique. It’s encouraged to highlight this! If you enjoy various textures, styles, and materials featured throughout the home, do so! Be as eclectic as you wish. There is nothing wrong with mixing and matching more than one style!
If having such a diverse assortment of elements in the space doesn’t fit into who you are, that’s okay too! Consider styles that will help to make the space interesting while still portraying who you are, even if it’s on a more “tame” scale. Simply place the focus more on personal touches like artwork or sentimental pieces.
Regardless of the style preferences, even the smallest details can make a difference. For example, consider various lighting options. Depending on what you select, each room can provide a different ambiance. Warmer lighting is perfect for creating a cozy living room environment, while wall decor can add its own brightness and character to act as more modern home decor.
The process of finding your unique interior design style is different for everyone!
As we’ve seen in this article, there are many ways to be inspired and expose yourself to various home decor options. With a professional home interior design team, the process can be streamlined to help narrow down which options speak the most to you.
WIHM Design will help create mood boards and preliminary plans to help you visualize prospective concepts better. Once this is approved, more detailed plans are created, which include color schemes, material selection, furniture selection, and lighting options. Our experienced contractors will then oversee every step of the project, ensuring the design is brought to fruition.
Contact WIHM Design to discuss the endless possibilities that fit perfectly into your unique interior design style today! You may leave a message directly on our website, email us at office@wihmdesign.com, or call us at (450) 452-9990 to speak with one of our dedicated professionals.