From shabby chic to modern minimalism, this is how to find an interior style that best suits your personality.

Picking your interior-design style is no easy task. With the effort of finding, sourcing, and revamping a space (not to mention the money needed to make it all happen), it’s a long-term commitment to say the least. With all this in mind, how do you find that perfect interior-design style that not only works for your space, but captures your personality? Also, can it still remain accessible to your loved ones who may be sharing your space? The answer is yes! We’ve rounded up a few clever tips to help you find the sweet spot without compromising on style, luxury or personality.

Starting from the Closet

Choosing the perfect design style can start in your closet. Open the doors and take out all your favourite items, whether it’s a coat, a pair of boots, or simply an old scarf you have held on to since forever. Now, try and identify what it is you like about them. Is it the colour? Texture? Perhaps it’s a combination of pattern and fabric. Whatever the case may be, doing this can give you some useful clues on what type of design aesthetic will appeal to you most.

You can use this as a great starting point to add more elements to the mix. In addition to the clothing items, add different colour swatches from fabric stores, natural materials such as wood or stone, or even cut-outs from magazines. You’ll slowly see a clearer picture forming about what it is that really speaks to you, and what you absolutely can’t stand. The collaging of items will help bring you one step closer to your perfect interior style.

Finding Your References

If raiding your closet has your mind made up, then it’s full steam ahead, but if you’re still unsure about whether you’ve picked the right colours, textures and themes, it might be time to look for references. Using your past issues of Livingspace, or other articles and online platforms such as Pinterest, try identifying five key images that speak to you. Keeping the number of images to a bare minimum will keep you focused and stop you from going down a rabbit hole (trust us, if you don’t reel it in, you’ll be looking at images forever!). Once you’ve found the perfect five images, consider the following:

Colours: Are there certain themes and overarching palettes that come out in these pictures? Most importantly, do they capture the type of feeling you’d want in your home? List these colours and consider where you might like to see them: on walls, furniture, or decorative pieces?

Textures: Are there prominent textures in the images? Look at items such as scatter cushions, coffee tables and curtains. There may be several common themes you relate to without realising it. List these for future shopping expeditions.

Materials: Have a look at the floors, cabinetry, large furniture pieces – in these places you’ll quickly pick up the materials you prefer, whether it’s wood, tile, or something more unusual such as concrete. Materials such as these can often be the most expensive part of decorating overhaul, so be sure to consider this carefully.

Lighting: Look at the mood the spaces capture and try to identify if this is partly achieved through lighting. More than just overheads and lamps, look out for architectural lighting – this is lighting built into the architecture and layout of the home. Think behind archways and other recesses.
Decoration: This is where you’re likely to have the most fun! Decorative items are where you can really play around with your style, as often these pieces can be moved around easily, and are often quite affordable. The best part is that there are no wrong choices – anything you eventually buy that does not fit can be moved to different corners or rooms in your space.

Your Own Magic Touch

If after these steps, you feel that you’ve identified what it is you like best, but there’s nothing out there that really matches what you envision, then it might be time to get creative. Upscaling furniture, and other decorative items could be just the answer you’re  looking for. An old cabinet gets new life with a new coat of paint, while your favourite linen could be transformed into the perfect curtains – the possibilities are, quite literally, endless. Not only are you sure to capture your unique personality in this way, but upscaling items can also be extremely cost-effective, as well as gentle on the environment.

Drawing from Design Movements

For those looking to take a deeper dive into different design styles that could best match their personality, it might be a good idea to look more thoroughly at some of the most popular interior design movements. Exploring these movements is sure to unlock more inspiration when you’re ready to add even more layers to your home, such as art. Some of the most popular design movements worth looking into are:

•  Modern

•  Mid-Century Modern

•  Contemporary

•  Bohemian

•  Coastal

•  Country

•  Shabby Chic

•  Scandinavian

•  Industrial

Keeping Everyone Happy

When sharing a home with family or loved ones, it can be difficult to translate your personality into the space while still accommodating them. If you’re keen to create a more inclusive space, opt for your favourite furniture, textures and textiles in neutral tones. In this way, you add a healthy dash of your personality without completely taking over the space. What’s more, creating a base of neutral colours will also give others in the home an opportunity to add their own favourite items, or even splashes of tones that they are fond of.