How to Find Your Design Style: The Ultimate Guide to Decorating with Confidence

Beril Yilmaz

Mar 20

When it comes to designing a home that truly reflects who you are, the first step is to find your design style. Whether you love clean, modern lines, cozy traditional spaces, or eclectic, personality-packed interiors, understanding what resonates with you will make decorating easier and more cohesive. But with so many styles to choose from, where do you even begin?

The good news is that finding your interior design style doesn’t mean sticking to a single category. Most people are naturally drawn to a mix of styles, and the key is learning how to blend them in a way that feels intentional rather than chaotic. By identifying what you love, pinpointing patterns in your preferences, and learning how to curate a balanced space, you can create a home that feels uniquely yours.

So, whether you’re designing from scratch or simply refreshing your space, follow this step-by-step guide to find your design style and make your home an authentic reflection of you.

1. Find Your Design Style: Start with Inspiration

The best way to discover your personal design aesthetic is to gather inspiration. Explore home decor magazines, Pinterest, Instagram, and design blogs. Save images of spaces that instantly catch your eye, even if they seem completely different from one another.

Once you have a collection of images, look for common themes. Do you gravitate toward bright, airy spaces, or do you prefer dark, moody interiors? Are you drawn to vintage decor or sleek, contemporary designs? Noticing patterns in what you love will help you define your style.

Another great exercise is to analyze your wardrobe. The colors, textures, and patterns you love wearing often align with the aesthetics you’re naturally drawn to in interior design. If your closet is full of neutral, timeless pieces, you might love classic or minimalist decor. If you love bold prints and statement accessories, you may lean toward eclectic or bohemian design.

2. Find Your Design Style: Learn the Core Styles

Understanding the most popular interior design styles can help you identify what resonates with you. Here are some of the main categories:

Modern: Clean lines, minimal decor, and a neutral color palette define this sleek, functional style.
Traditional: Classic furniture, rich wood tones, and elegant details make this style timeless and refined.
Eclectic: A mix of different eras, textures, and colors that create a layered, curated look.
Contemporary: A blend of modern and classic elements with a focus on current trends and sleek finishes.
Scandinavian: Light, airy, and functional, with a focus on cozy textures and simple, natural materials.
Bohemian: Laid-back, vibrant, and full of personality, featuring a mix of patterns, textures, and global influences.
Farmhouse: Rustic and cozy, with distressed wood, vintage finds, and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

By familiarizing yourself with these styles, you can start to pinpoint which one (or combination) speaks to you the most.

3. Find Your Design Style: Mix and Match Thoughtfully

Most people don’t fit perfectly into one single design category, and that’s okay! Blending styles is what makes a home feel unique. The trick is to do it in a way that feels intentional.

A good rule of thumb is to follow the 80/20 rule: 80% of your space should reflect your dominant style, while 20% can incorporate elements from other styles. This helps prevent a space from feeling disjointed.

For example:

Love modern but want warmth? Incorporate Scandinavian textures like wool, wood, and linen.
Adore traditional but want it to feel fresh? Pair classic furniture with contemporary lighting or artwork.
Obsessed with bohemian but want a cleaner aesthetic? Blend it with minimalist decor to create a balanced look.

Mixing and matching within the same “design family” also works well. For instance, farmhouse and coastal styles pair beautifully, as do modern and industrial elements.

4. Find Your Design Style: Consider Functionality

A space should not only look beautiful but also work for your lifestyle. When defining your design style, ask yourself:

Do I like open, airy spaces, or do I prefer cozy, layered rooms?
Do I need a minimalist setup, or do I love decorative details?
Do I want a formal feel, or do I prefer a relaxed, lived-in look?

For example, if you have kids or pets, a delicate, all-white modern space might not be practical. Instead, a comfortable, rustic-modern approach with durable fabrics and natural materials might be a better fit.

5. Find Your Design Style: Choose Your Color Palette

Color plays a huge role in defining your style. Different design aesthetics tend to favor different color palettes:

Minimalist & Modern: Whites, blacks, grays, and soft neutrals
Traditional & Classic: Rich jewel tones, warm neutrals, deep greens, and navy blues
Eclectic & Bohemian: Bold, vibrant hues mixed with earthy tones
Scandinavian & Farmhouse: Soft whites, pastels, natural woods, and muted tones

If you’re unsure, look at the colors you already love—what shades do you wear the most or naturally gravitate toward? Your home should reflect colors that make you feel comfortable and happy.

6. Find Your Design Style: Test It Out

Once you have a general idea of your style, test it out before making big commitments. Start with small updates like throw pillows, art, or a new rug to see how they feel in your space.

If you’re considering a bold color for your walls, try peel-and-stick samples before committing to a full paint job. Similarly, before investing in new furniture, rearrange your existing pieces to see how different layouts affect the space.

7. Find Your Design Style: Stay Flexible

Your design style can evolve over time, and that’s perfectly normal! As you experiment with different elements, you may find that certain things no longer suit you. The key is to stay flexible and open to change while maintaining a sense of cohesion in your home.

Instead of rushing to buy everything at once, curate your home slowly and thoughtfully. Choose timeless foundation pieces, then layer in trendier or more personal accents that can easily be swapped out as your style grows.

FAQ: Find Your Design Style

Q: Can I have more than one design style?A: Absolutely! Most people naturally gravitate toward a mix of styles. The key is to balance them in a way that feels cohesive.

Q: What if I like multiple styles but can’t choose?A: Start by selecting one dominant style and incorporate small elements from others to create a curated look.

Q: How do I know if a design choice fits my style?A: Ask yourself if it complements your overall vision. If it feels forced or out of place, it might not be the best fit.

Work With a Design Expert!

Need help defining and bringing your design style to life? Our team at BY Design And Viz specializes in creating personalized interiors and exteriors that reflect your personality and lifestyle. Whether you’re redecorating a single room or designing a full home, we’re here to help.

Start your design journey today—contact us for a consultation!