Your interior style can say a lot about your personality. It gives a window into how you see the world and shows what’s important to you.
But finding and defining your personal style is a process – pinning down exactly how you want your surroundings to look and feel can be tricky, especially if you’re not used to articulating what you like about a particular space or piece.
That being said, here are some of the easiest ways to uncover your sense of style and make your interiors work for you.
Create a Mood Board
One of the best things you can do to help define your personal style is collate the things you love and are inspired by. This can be with a formal mood board – whether it's a digital Pinterest board or an old-school physical vision board with magazine cutouts – or simply making a more conscious effort to snap pictures of things that catch your eye when out and about.
Once you’ve built up a bit of a library of images, you’ll start noticing commonalities and connections. Maybe you keep saving pictures of antiques from the same era or interiors with unexpected pops of colour? A clearer picture of your preferences will start to emerge, giving you a starting point when it comes to your own interiors.
Don’t Fixate on Trends
While taking inspiration from trends is only natural, and part of the process as per the advice above, don’t let them guide your choices entirely. A trending piece or concept might seem appealing initially, but consider whether you are only drawn to it because you keep seeing it on your feed and are falling into the trap of FOMO.
Before investing in the newest trend, think about what elements of it you like and which aspects you can bring into your space. Embracing trends often works best when you make them work for you. Rather than creating a carbon copy version of an interior you’ve seen on Instagram, hone in on what it is exactly that you like about it and think about how you can incorporate it into your interiors naturally.
Focus on Colour
Many of us will be drawn to a particular colour palette without necessarily realising it. Take a moment to notice which colours keep popping up around your home, as this can be a good guide for what kind of furniture and style influences you might like.
Are you drawn to warm or cool tones? Do you want to create a space that feels soothing or bold and dramatic? Answering these questions can help you pin down the intended mood of a space, grounding your other design decisions.
Colour will often work as the foundation of your design, so it also provides a great reference point for any patterns you want to bring in. If you’re unsure about decorating with patterns, experimenting with a few samples in colours you already use and love is a great place to start.
Choose Meaningful Furniture
Opt for pieces that really resonate with you and provide a personal connection. This doesn’t need to mean only decorating with family heirlooms passed down through generations, but choosing furniture that speaks to you and has a story is a great way to ensure your personality shines through in your design.
Second-hand and antique furniture instantly offers layers of history, providing the chance for meaningful connection and personal significance. When you incorporate antiques into your home, it’s not just about owning a piece of furniture; you get to become part of its history and story.
Get Inspired By Your Travels
Travel is another fantastic source of inspiration and a great way to infuse your interiors with personal, meaningful style. Whether you want to proudly show off accessories you’ve picked up on your travels or use patterns, motifs and materials you’ve seen in other countries, it is all part of your personal story.
Rooting aspects of your design in where you’ve been and what you’ve experienced can also help you explore a mix of styles. Disparate elements from different countries and eras become unified by an essential connecting thread – you.
Design With Joy
Interior design is supposed to be fun and an expression of the self, so choosing pieces that bring you joy should be at the centre of your design ethos. You’ll easily find your unique design style by curating a selection of things you love.
Don’t feel like you have to be restricted to one style. Your ‘style’ does not have to perfectly align with the preordained categories of minimalism, Scandi, farmhouse, modern rustic or anything else. You can pick and choose elements from many of these overarching themes to capture your own style – or keep to one particular look if that is what speaks to you and brings you joy!
Expect Evolution
Your sense of style is a living, changing thing. As you live more life and experience new things, your style will evolve with you. Embrace this process of finding, defining and redefining your style. Take note of any new colours, shapes or motifs you’re drawn to as your taste develops or changes entirely over time.
Letting your spaces change, whether through adding, taking away or experimenting, will help ensure your interiors never feel stagnant. Here, you give yourself the freedom to play with different concepts, even if it's only swapping in a new rug or artwork or switching up your accent colour.
Ultimately, finding your style is a personal process that takes time, so go with the flow and be guided by the things you love!
If you find yourself leaning towards timeless antiques and Oriental influences, look no further than our extensive selection of Indian and Chinese antiques, spanning everything from traditional wedding cabinets and architectural salvage to vases and figurines.
