How to Find Your Interior Design Style Easily

Ever walked into a room and felt it just wasn’t ‘you’? That’s likely because the decor didn’t match your personal design style. Finding the right style isn’t just about following trends; it’s about blending aesthetics and functionality in a way that suits your daily life.

Identifying your unique style is the first step toward making meaningful interior choices, from selecting the perfect color palette to choosing furniture that complements your way of life.

What Is Interior Design?

Interior design transcends the simple act of arranging furniture aesthetically. It’s a deliberate process that creates environments that enhance the quality of life and culture of those living within. This discipline merges creativity with practical solutions to cultivate spaces that are not only visually appealing but also deeply functional. Integrating elements such as color schemes, lighting, and material choices reflects the personal style of its residents and supports their day-to-day activities.

The core of interior design lies in understanding and applying elements that suit the unique tastes and practical needs of inhabitants. From selecting cohesive color palettes to choosing the right furniture pieces, every decision contributes to creating an authentic space that feels like home. It’s a thoughtful blend of art and engineering designed to create a seamless connection between style and usability, allowing each room to flow intuitively and beautifully.

Types of Interior Design

With so many decorating styles available, identifying your preferred one can be crucial in keeping your decor decisions aligned. Here are some of the popular styles:

• Mid-Century Modern: This style celebrates function and form with clean lines and organic shapes. With its timeless aesthetic, it’s a staple in modern living.
• Scandinavian: Known for its minimalist design, this Nordic style features white walls and light-toned woods, promoting a clean, serene atmosphere.
• Minimalist: Focuses on simplicity through uncluttered spaces and a monochrome color palette. Less is always more in minimalist design.
• Bohemian: Boho style is all about free-spirited expression, combining natural elements and bold patterns to create vibrant, eclectic style interiors.
• Industrial: Emphasizes exposed steel, distressed wooden elements, and exposed brick, encapsulating the rawness of unfinished materials.
• Traditional: This style features rich tones, detailed carvings, and refined colors. It embodies luxury and comfort with a timeless appeal.
• Eclectic: A risk-taking style that harmonizes an array of periods and styles through color, texture, and shape.
• Transitional: Merges the comfort of traditional elements with the sleek forms of modern design.
• Art Deco: Recognizable by its use of geometric and angular forms, chrome, glass, and shiny fabrics, bringing glamour into home decor.
• Farmhouse: Evokes coziness with rustic charm by balancing old and new elements, creating a warm, welcoming feel.
• Contemporary: This style stays current on trends by focusing on basic forms and neutral color palettes but often integrates bold contrast with pops of color.
• Coastal: Uses light, airy palette colors with blue and green hues to bring the seaside indoors, promoting a casual and calm decor style.
• Rustic: Uses natural materials like stone and wood and embraces a natural, raw, and unfinished look.
• French Country: Features soft and muted colors with wood accents, highlighting sophisticated comfort with a rustic edge.
• Japandi: This is a blend of Scandinavian functionality and Japanese rustic minimalism, creating tranquil and uncluttered spaces.
• Shabby Chic: Recognizable by its antique furniture pieces, vintage floral patterns, and delicate color palette, offering a soft, feminine feel.
• Glam: Features decorative details like mirrors, rich colors, and metals, bringing luxury and deep comfort.
• Maximalist: This style celebrates excess in the best way possible, mixing patterns, colors, and textures for a richly layered and vibrant look.
• Mediterranean: Inspired by the sunny countries of the Mediterranean, this style uses earthy colors, warm woods, and rustic textures.

How to Find My Interior Design Style

Reflect on Your Lifestyle

Understanding how you live day-to-day is crucial when selecting an interior design style that truly reflects your personal style. Whether your home is a bustling hub of activity or a quiet sanctuary, your design choices should facilitate these routines, enhancing functionality while stunning visually.

For those who entertain often, a contemporary design style with ample seating and a cohesive color palette might be perfect. Conversely, a serene Scandinavian design could be ideal for those seeking a tranquil retreat from the hectic pace of daily life.

Assess Your Space

The architectural elements of your home can hugely influence your decor decisions, guiding you towards styles that naturally complement the existing structures. Period properties with classic features might harmonize beautifully with traditional style elements, rich in dark woods and intricate patterns.

Modern homes with open-plan living demand a streamlined, modern style that accentuates expansive sightlines and maximizes light. Each space’s layout and inherent characteristics should ideally dictate the style choices, making your design feel integrated and intentional.

Draw Inspiration

Initiating your design project can start as simply as creating a mood board that compiles elements you’re drawn to, from color schemes to furniture pieces. This visual collage helps you capture the essence of your preferred aesthetic and serves as a reference point throughout your decorating journey.

Explore various sources such as magazines, websites, and even historical landmarks for a broad spectrum of ideas. The goal is to develop a comprehensive vision board that embodies your desired atmosphere and personal design style.

Experiment With Colors and Textures

The choice of color scheme can transform a room, with bold colors making striking statements and muted colors soothing the senses. Utilizing a color wheel can help you identify complementary colors and cohesive color palettes, which are essential for creating a balanced space.

Similarly, mixing textures and materials, from smooth, reflective metals to soft, supple fabrics, can enhance the depth and interest of your interiors. This tactile variety invites interaction and personal connection to your space, enriching the overall experience.

Focus on Functionality

Your home’s functionality should not be overshadowed by its aesthetics. Consider the practicality of each design decision, from choosing furniture that withstands daily use to selecting a layout that flows intuitively.

For families, materials that are both durable and easy to clean can be particularly beneficial in living and dining areas. Similarly, incorporating ample storage solutions can help maintain a clean and orderly environment, which is crucial for spaces that serve multiple purposes.

Start With Key Pieces

Identifying a few key pieces of furniture or decor can act as anchors for your overall design, setting a foundational style that guides additional selections. Perhaps a striking mid-century modern armchair or a rustic wood dining table can serve as both functional elements and visual centerpieces.

These pieces showcase your personal taste and establish a distinctive style thread that resonates throughout your home. They create a curated yet comfortable living environment.

Consult Professionals

Engaging with a principal designer can profoundly impact the cohesiveness and beauty of your interior spaces. These professionals can offer personalized guidance, ensuring your visions are realized while maintaining a professional aesthetic balance.

Design professionals bring expertise in color combinations, furniture placement, and the integration of contemporary lines and authentic space. It is crucial for achieving a sophisticated and tailored look that feels like home.

What Are the 7 Rules of Interior Design?

Balance

Balance provides a sense of harmony by meticulously arranging elements either symmetrically or asymmetrically. It makes rooms appear thoughtfully curated and establishes a structured appearance, promoting a sense of calm and order. Balance achieves visual unity, and it helps distribute visual weight across a space effectively.

Unity

Unity is about creating a visually cohesive space where every component complements each other beautifully. By consistently repeating materials, colors, and patterns, you achieve a cohesive kitchen space that appears deliberate and fluid. It promotes a sense that all decor elements are interconnected and part of a single, coherent theme.

Rhythm

Rhythm uses continuity and repetition to create a visual cadence in a room, much like rhythm in music. Repeating or contrasting elements like patterns and colors inject life into the space while maintaining an organized, harmonious flow. This steady repetition helps guide the eye gently around the room.

Emphasis

Emphasis acts as the dramatic point that catches and holds attention within a space. It could be a standout art piece, an architectural feature, or a luxury furniture item that acts as a focal point. Proper emphasis prevents rooms from appearing bland, helping featured elements stand out clearly and be appreciated.

Contrast

Contrast adds excitement and interest by combining opposing or surprising elements, such as light and dark colors or geometric and organic shapes. This play of differences not only enhances the visual appeal but also highlights the unique aspects of each piece. Effective contrast energizes a space, making it vibrant and dynamic.

Scale and Proportion

Scale and proportion focus on the relationship of items within a space to help them fit harmoniously in size and placement. This rule helps objects look well-suited to each other and the room’s overall dimensions, preventing feelings of clutter or sparseness. It enhances the functional beauty and balance of the room.

Details

Details are those final touches that infuse character, uniqueness, and personal touch into interiors. They include elements like trims, molding, carvings, and thoughtful color schemes that complete the aesthetic of a space. Paying attention to details helps every aspect of the design become considered and refined.

Create a Home That Reflects You With Coburn’s Expert Guidance

Choosing a design style that speaks to your soul transforms a mere house into a true home. This process, crucial for personal comfort and aesthetic appeal, should be approached with thoughtful consideration. 

If you want to create a space that perfectly captures your spirit, Coburn’s Kitchen & Bath Showroom stands ready to assist. Our expertise in aligning your vision with the latest design trends gives us a distinct edge.

Start your journey to a more beautiful, functional home with a visit to our showroom and experience the magic of tailored interior design. Contact us today.