What are design styles and why are they important? Styles in interior design are based on the history of art and architecture. One of the most difficult things when renovating or refreshing your interiors is finding out your style. Believe me, this is one I've struggled with myself. After all, there are plenty of beautiful images and styles that abound. Over the years, I've realized that our styles change and mature as we get older. What might have been appealing to us when we were younger does not look as good to us now. This is particularly important so that our interiors do not look like a Pinterest photo gone awry. Part of our training as interior designers is to know this so that we may apply the rules and make your interiors look cohesive.
So how do you know which one speaks to you? Which style can you actually stick to and love over the years?
These are some guidelines that can narrow down and help you:
What do you usually wear?
Check your wardrobe and look at what colors, patterns and style you have the most of. Fashion has a large influence on your life. Whether you like casual jeans and shirt for everyday or floral maxi dresses, this can reveal your taste in interiors as well.
What is your favorite outfit?
In line with your #OTD, this delves deeper into your sense of style. Why do you like this particular outfit? Is it the print, the cut? Is it your go-to-outfit for a date?
Look at interior design magazines, whether it's online or offline.
Check a number of magazines and either Pin the images or go arts and crafts and cut them out. My favorites are Elle Decor, House Beautiful. Locally, I love My Home, Condo Living or Real Living.
Focus on the feelings you want to evoke.
Why feelings? Because for a design to work effectively, you need to go deeper and find out what ambience you want to feel. Is it casual? Happy and bright? Elegant and sophisticated? Each feeling can lead to what design style you want.
Look at colors as well.
There are many color palettes available online. Check which ones appeal to you. Colors give you a feel of the style you're aiming for. If you're not sure about the colors, check your makeup (yes, I know, makeup!). What type of makeup do you usually do? Are you a bronze goddess or do you like doing smokey eyes more? What colors do you use? More on neutrals, brights, pale colors?
Create a moodboard.
Finally, take all these together and do it like we professional interior designers do. Make a moodboard. You can make one online or if you're feeling artsy, do it the old fashioned way and make a collage. Remember this means your moodboard will be composed of different images - fashion, favorite outfit, interiors, feelings, colors. Yes, I know you can't moodboard your feelings. Instead, either write it down or if you see a particular photograph that encapsulates that feeling, then that's what you place on your moodboard.
Now, look at all your images together and get the keywords or key images that you think summarizes your look. Or another way is looking at everything and seeing what is common among your images.
Finally, to find out what design style you fit into, subscribe to my newsletter for that FREE E-BOOK to finally turn out the noise and get to know the design that truly talks to you! Scroll down to the bottom to subscribe!
