How to find your interior style.
Do you ever get asked “whats your style?” It’s very easy these days to get caught up in trends and to subconsciously absorb all the images you see in magazines, or on pinterest, as being what you love. But have you ever really stopped to think about what your style truly is, and how you could reflect this in your home?
Here’s a few tips on how to find your interior style.
Look in your wardrobe
Fashion and interiors are inextricably linked. I find that looking in your wardrobe is a great place to start to analyse what you are drawn to. Are you forever buying trend items that you wear for one season or do you prefer the more timeless basics approach? It says a lot about how you might approach an interior redecorating exercise (which can be an eye-opener for some!).
A few examples…
If you find that you generally like to layer basic, more neutral, outfits with more patterned accessories, then this says a lot about how you might like your home. You might prefer a more neutral backdrop or neutral key pieces (such as a sofa) but then add in some pattern and colour through soft furnishings and accessories.
If you prefer the more statement piece and love to be noticed (I know someone who loves wearing bright, colourful, patterned shirts and refuses to wear anything else!) then maybe a statement sofa in a bold colour or pattern, or a hero splashback tile, could be for you.
If you like layering similar colours and tones in your outfits, then a monochromatic colour scheme may be for you. This is not to be confused with the overuse of the term monochromatic as referring to black and white interiors. Mono (meaning one) and chromatic (referring to colour) simply means an interior that is predominantly one colour (it could be green!) and layering varying tones and textures of this colour.
This wardrobe shows a tendency towards warm tones. See what your wardrobe says about you!
Image: Homes to Love
Avoid trends
Trends come and go, but your interior style should remain relatively constant, evolving gradually as you grow. One of my favourite quotes from American Interior Decorator, Billy Baldwin, says:
“Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style”
I find that people are constantly worrying about if things will date and then base their interior choices on a preconceived idea of what they think won’t date and less on what they truly love (e.g. white walls, white kitchen - which is a trend in and of itself). Design and decorate from the heart (YOUR heart), and then it really doesn’t matter what anyone else says.
If you tend to get swept up in the trends and can’t resist buying the latest outfits, then I suggest taking some time to reflect on the things you like and that bring you joy, time and time again. “Fast fashion” and “fast furniture” is a blog post for another day, however be sure to evaluate whether an item will be loved long-term and works in with the rest of the items in your home, be it clothing or furniture, before purchasing.
Analyse your Personality
Are you a beach baby? Neat and tidy? A collector? An entertainer? All of these things are incredibly useful in determining what type of style and space speaks to you.
A few examples…
A beach baby may be more drawn to natural materials and light and airy spaces. The Hamptons vibe may be right up your alley!
If you’re a collector then perhaps you’re more of a maximalist and clashing patterns and colours excites you! Or if you like to travel and bring things home with you, then maybe you prefer open spaces so you can display your treasures. An eclectic interior style may tick all the boxes for you.
If you like things to be neat and tidy then possibly a minimalist aesthetic with lots of closed storage options appeals to you most. (the Scandinavians are the BEST for this aesthetic and do it so well).
If you’re an entertainer, maybe you prefer open-plan living as opposed to a separate dining space, OR maybe you crave the complete opposite and you long for an extravagant formal dining space with traditional elements and a grand chandelier.
There are SO many ways your personality can be reflected in your interior space - it’s just figuring out what it is that makes you tick.
I’m a collector and I’m obsessed with pottery. I display lots of my collected items around my home.
Analyse your Inspiration
A good way to see what type of style appeals to you is to analyse your source of inspiration. Certain magazines are known for presenting certain styles to their audience. Are you drawn to one magazine in particular? This in itself speaks volumes for what types of styles naturally appeal to you. Some magazines primarily feature modern/contemporary interiors, others more traditional. Some are more farmhouse/country style, others are minimal. Figure out what it is that makes you grab one magazine off the stand and buy it over another. Pinterest is also an incredible online resource and I would encourage you to use it.
Whether your inspiration is on paper or online, the process is the same. Look through your pins/magazine clippings and see if you can find an overarching common theme. Are you drawn to a certain style/colour/pattern? Then look at each image individually and critically, and ask yourself 2 questions: what do I like about this image, and, is there anything I don’t like about this image? Sometimes identifying what it is that you don’t like can be just as useful. Make a list and see what keeps popping up. This is a sure-fire way to start determining your true inner style.
Create your own Pinterest profile and start “pinning” images that speak to you. A handy way to organise your boards is by room e.g. kitchen, bedroom. Then start to see whether there is a common theme amongst them!
Create your own Pinterest profile and start “pinning” images that speak to you. A handy way to organise your boards is by room e.g. kitchen, bedroom. Then start to see whether there is a common theme amongst them!
Your “style” does not have to be confined to one “style”
The reason I have put the word “style” in quotation marks is to acknowledge the fact that your own personal style will evolve and can incorporate a number of different design styles. You might find that your ideal style is traditional with a dash of modern, or boho-meets-hamptons. The key is figuring out the things you DO like and ask yourself why.
You also might find that the artwork you are drawn to is completely different to the interiors you would typically find them in. For example, just because you love an old classic painting, doesn’t mean it needs to go in a gilt frame in a Victorian interior. Art is one of those things I’m passionate about - don’t simply choose art for your interior. Choose art for YOU and it will work wherever it goes because you will be reminded of why you love it every time you look at it.
A stunning mix of contemporary furniture and finishes with some prized vintage finds in our Footscray Apartment project.
Whatever your style is, don’t feel you need to confine yourself to one box. The most interesting interiors come from a mixture of old and new and by things that tell a story; YOUR story. The key is knowing how to put it all together, and this is where I come in.
So, need help finding your style? Contact me and I can help you on your journey.