6 Steps to Find Your Decorating Style by Examining Your Personality, Lifestyle, Inspirations, and What You Already Own to Create a Home You Love
Confession: I never trained in interior design. If you ask me to label my decorating style, I’ll probably shrug and say, “I’m not sure.” What I do know, though, is what feels like me — and that’s what matters most.
Five years ago I felt overwhelmed: I had overflowing Pinterest boards and we were moving into our first house. I had pinned boho, farmhouse, glam, industrial — everything. I spent money on things that ended up not feeling like me because I hadn’t clarified my style first.
If you’ve been through that identity crisis with your decor, settle in. Here are the practical steps that helped me stop wasting time and money and start creating a home that really fits who I am.
Before the tips, one important truth: if you don’t define your decorating style first, you’ll likely feel unsatisfied and keep buying decor that doesn’t work for you. Defining your style saves time, money, and frustration.
How to Find Your Decorating Style:
1. Look for commonalities among your inspiration photos
Go through your saved images on Pinterest, phone, or magazines and list recurring elements. When I did this, I noticed repeated features that defined my aesthetic:
- Natural textures like cotton, linen, and woven baskets
- Neutral palettes with accents of blue and green
- Furniture with clean lines and a hint of vintage
- Open, airy rooms
- High-contrast accents such as black hardware
- Medium wood tones
- Simple, nature-inspired fabric patterns
These patterns revealed the core of my style. If your inspiration seems scattered, it likely still shares common threads that point toward a cohesive decorating plan.
2. Check your wardrobe
Your clothing can reveal your comfort zone. I’m a jeans-and-simple-top person: natural fabrics, neutral colors, and minimal patterns. Those same preferences translated into my home choices. If you favor bold colors, prints, or sparkle in your clothes, embrace that energy in your decor.
3. Respect your home’s architecture
Let the bones of your house guide decisions. A midcentury modern home looks great with midcentury furnishings; a traditional house benefits from classic lighting or moldings. You don’t need to be rigid — small nods to the architecture will make everything feel cohesive. If your home is a blank slate, that’s an opportunity to choose freely.
4. Factor in your lifestyle
Practical needs should shape style choices. We have young kids, so durable, easy-to-clean furnishings and rugs that hide wear make sense for our family. Consider how each room is used, storage needs, and your daily routines when choosing materials and finishes. Style should support how you live.
5. Take inventory and KonMari your decor
Pick up each decorative item and ask whether it genuinely sparks joy or fits your emerging style. Items that don’t belong should go—donate, sell, or pass them on. Use any proceeds to invest in pieces that align with your vision. Don’t force mismatched items to work unless you truly love them.
6. Choose the feeling you want when you walk in the door
Decide the mood you want your home to evoke: calm and peaceful, bright and energetic, cozy and nostalgic, or something eclectic and lively. Let that feeling guide color palettes, textures, and decor choices. For me, peace and calm led to soothing blues, greens, and nature-inspired accents.
If you want more help, consider joining a decorating group or subscribing to a design newsletter for budget-friendly tips and inspiration. Finding your decorating style brought clarity and confidence to my decorating decisions. As Dolly Parton said, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” Do the same with your home.
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