How to Find Your Signature Design Style
How do you define your design style? Are you all about mid-century modern? Or do you lean more transitional? What about boho, glam, or farmhouse?
You may strongly identify with a single design style. But I’d be willing to guess that you probably enjoy elements of several—maybe you swoon over the clean lines of modern design but treasure the warmth of boho.
To create a cohesive space, some interior design guides may suggest that you stick to only one style. But I don’t necessarily agree! I believe that you can produce a fabulous, put-together space by mixing interior design styles. My house, for example, is a collection of various design inspirations: a little vintage here, some modern there; light and airy in one space, then moody and bold in another. And that’s ok! In fact, I think incorporating a range of styles can actually make a space look more dynamic and eye-catching than selecting just one.
If you’re feeling trapped by design style and struggling to narrow yours down, this guide is for you. I’m sharing some tips to help you establish your signature style outside the traditional design boundaries. Let’s get started!
How to Pinpoint Your Design Style
These days, you don’t need to look far for interior design inspiration. Instagram and Pinterest offer millions of design suggestions. But before you turn toward social media for ideas, I suggest that you start by looking at your closet.
When you look at your clothes, what colors do you see? Typically, we feel most comfortable in a specific color palette. For instance, maybe you wear mostly earth tones or vibrant colors. Perhaps you prefer silver jewelry over gold. Now, touch all the different materials in your closet. What textures do you feel?
If you could see a snapshot of my closet (which isn’t quite photo-ready at the moment, ha!), you’d see mostly warm neutrals, caramel-toned leather accessories, and brass jewelry. And my husband’s side looks pretty much the same!
The clothes and accessories we wear best represent us and our tastes. So if you use your home as an extension of your closet, you’ll create a space more unique to you than any interior design style you see on social media.
Creating a Cohesive Home with My 3 Signature Design Elements
Here’s how I would define my signature interior design style based on my closet preferences:
Warm neutrals. Beige, white, and blush tones make up the majority of my closet. When it comes to interior design, I typically place white paint on the walls and use shades of tan and beige for decorative items such as sofa upholsteries, window treatments, and throw pillows.
Mid-tone wood. My closet also features a handful of organic materials, from my summer hat collection to my jewelry pieces, shoe materials and shelf storage. Wood and other natural elements, like woven textiles, add texture to a space, and they show up in just about every room I design.
Dark accents. I definitely have a few dark pieces in my wardrobe, but I think my love for darkness in interior design originates from my background as a photographer (either that or my emo alter-ego. Bet you didn’t know I love punk rock!). The most interesting photos have contrast and depth, which can be achieved by juxtaposing light and dark elements. Just like photography, incorporating dark components into design creates balance and keeps your eye moving across the room.
Browse through the following images of my home to see how I put these three signature design staples into practice.
Mixing Interior Design Styles Throughout My Home
Entryway
The entryway of my home combines boho, transitional, and modern design styles. But the repetition of warm neutrals, mid-tone wood, and dark accents harmonize the space so it all looks seamless and cohesive.
I carried white throughout the wall paneling and on the pendant light, repeated wood on the front door and wood tones in the shoe baskets under the console table. Then, I added dark accents in the cabinetry and tile floor.
Living room
My living room doesn’t fit neatly into one design style. After all, I chose to put a vintage-inspired rug next to a luxurious porcelain fireplace surround for a hint of glam.
Rather than cater to a single style, I chose to mix interior design styles and decorate this space with my three signature design elements. I kept the walls and sofa neutral, then used mid-tone herringbone wood boards as the focal point of the room behind the television. Then, I incorporated additional wood accents, like the wood arched mirror atop the fireplace and the wood floating shelves next to the media stand for repetition and consistency. To top it all off, I added a dark pendant light and blanket ladder for contrast.
Kitchen
How many design styles do you see in my kitchen? I get modern, traditional, some industrial, and even a little vintage with the distressed vase on the island and the unlacquered brass latch pulls on the hutch-style cabinets.
The neutrals, here, are most evident in the white cabinetry, range hood, wall tile, and marble countertop. In part, the veining of the marble adds movement to the space, but it also helps tie in dark elements, like the woven counter stools. To mirror my taste in jewelry, I chose to sprinkle in some brass, too, with the pendant lights, faucet, and cabinet hardware (like the drawer pulls, ball knobs, and cabinet latches) to add more warmth.
Truthfully, I can’t pinpoint my design style—and you don’t need to either! Rather than limit your design to the rules of a specific style, you should decorate your home with the things you love. But of course, that’s easier said than done. So if you need some guidance, I can help steer you in the right direction. Contact me when you’re ready to design a space that’s a perfect reflection of you.