In last week’s blog post, 6 Different Types of Decorating Styles, we explored 6 common types of decorating styles. This week we will look at few tips and tricks that can help you define your decorating style.
Finding your decorating style is not as easy as it seems. It has taken me years to start honing into my own decorating style and trust me there has been a lot of trial and error! But like I said, creating a space that truly defines your style does not come so naturally and effortlessly all the time. Sure, you can drool over all of the beautiful pictures in home magazines, in Pinterest, on HGTV - then you get inspired, then you want to re-decorate your entire living area then you go shopping for gorgeous new pieces and … crickets! Re-decorating is easier said than done and before we go crazy buying pieces that we will not be 100% satisfied with in the long run I invite you to take a few minutes to really think about your decorating style is.
Why is Home Décor important anyway?
The majority of us spend a lot of time at home, especially in this digital age, many of us have the option of working from home either once a week or (if your one of the lucky ones!) every day. This is one of the reasons I believe it is so important to have a space that is not only inviting but also relaxing and stress free. That is where I see the need and benefit to decorating your home in a way that compliments your personality.
First we have the need (the practicality of it) - well this is the obvious , you need a couch (or two), a television (maybe), a rug, a coffee table, side tables, a couple of lamps and so on. Then there is also the benefit (the psychological aspect of it) – this is how you feel when you are in your house. For me, I find it extremely important to have a relaxing, organized comfortable and inviting home environment. So, here we go:
1. Take inventory of what you already own
Make note of pieces in your home and list them in one of two categories “Love it” or “What was I thinking”. In order to truly define your decorating style, you need to be brutally honest here, if you do not love a piece of furniture or art, ITS OK, it does not mean you need to get rid of it maybe you can make a DIY out of it by refinishing it or painting it – if it’s a piece of furniture, for example.
2. Take a good look at your closet
Your fashion style will provide great insight to your decorating style since your fashion style is really an extension of your personality and your home is a reflection of your personality. So look in your closet - do you have a lot of classic and timeless pieces? This is a nod to a more traditional decorating style. Or do you have a lot of chic and trendy pieces? This could mean you are more into the contemporary decorating style.
3. Think about your travels
Where have you traveled to a place that really inspired you, for example, did you really love that rustic little town in Italy or are you more of a beach lover and enjoy the openness and colors of a tropical beach. When you do this, really try to hone in to how it made you feel. That is the key.
4. Create a Mood Board
Go through some home magazines and cut out any and all pictures that speak to you. When doing this exercise it is imperative that you do not think too hard about it. For example, if there is a picture of a living room that you like but there is a lamp in that same picture that you absolutely love, cut the whole picture out and circle the lamp, this way when you look back you will quickly be able to see what it was about that space that drew you in. Once you have a solid amount of cut outs (I had 40-50 cut outs when I created my mood board) lay it all out on the ground, take a picture of it on your phone and keep the picture handy for when you are shopping for new home décor pieces. You can just as easily do this on Pinterest; however, I find that you can just as easily become distracted by pinning other things there too!
5. Take a walk
Walk around your neighborhood and pay attention to what piques your interest. Are there any particular types of homes you like – modern or traditional? Maybe rustic? Also look at the color palettes are you more drawn to. Maybe you like cool light neutrals which is a nod to transitional décor. Or maybe you like a very vibrant mix of color which would likely mean you like eclectic décor.
Do you already know what your decorating style is? What methods did you use to pinpoint your style?