Defining your individual style can be both an exciting and daunting experience. Today more than ever, we have so many options available to us it can feel overwhelming to narrow it down. The idea isn’t to latch on to a particular trend, however. It truly can be a wonderful thing to find what inspires you.
When you are starting a project or working with an interior designer, you’ll need to start with a general idea of what you’re looking for. You don’t need to have your own style figured out in full. An experienced Interior Designer has developed a process to figure that out. It does help to have a general idea of what goals you’re trying to achieve or what spaces you’re trying to transform.
To help you get a bit more involved in the process, here are some tips to help you on your journey of interior design self-awareness.
Create a Mood Board. A mood board is a visual tool that helps you communicate your design concepts and ideas. It’s a collection of images, materials, color palettes, text, and other elements arranged to evoke a particular style or feeling. If you need some help, just do some online research.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words. Go beyond your mood board and collect some images of rooms you like. This blog is an excellent resource for images. Saving images in an Ideabook on Houzz.com or a board on Pinterest for each space, can be a great place to start. Make one folder, board, etc., for each space you are designing. This will allow you to stay focused.
Analyze each room and make notes about the specifics in each that you especially like and why you like them. We like Houzz.com and use it with our clients because you can add notes as to specifically why you selected an image and then you can share access to the Ideabook with your designer. Pay attention to colors, patterns, furniture styles, and decorative accents that consistently appear in your selections. Are there any common themes emerging?
What’s your lifestyle? At Valerie Ruddy Designs – Decorating Den Interiors, we work hard to create spaces that reflect your personal style. The more information you give us as to what you are attracted to and why helps tremendously. We take into consideration your, lifestyle, interests, and personality to determine what you want your space to feel like. Do you prefer a cozy and rustic vibe, a sleek and modern aesthetic, or a colorful and eclectic atmosphere.
Research Design Styles: Familiarize yourself with different interior design styles by researching and learning about their characteristics, history, and key elements. Some popular styles include Traditional, Scandinavian, Mid-Century Modern, Industrial, Bohemian, and Coastal. More recently, we have learned about new styles such as Japandi, Hygge, Biophilic. And there is Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design. Find what is important to you and anyone else using the areas of your home that you want to change.
Experiment with Samples: When you work with Valerie Ruddy Designs – Decorating Den Interiors, we bring samples of fabrics, wood finishes, area rugs and more with us so that you will feel confident in making design decisions before you make any purchases. Seeing those samples in the space we are designing is so important.
Start Small: You don’t have to overhaul your entire space at once. Start small by updating one room or area at a time, incorporating new elements, and gradually refining your style as you go along.
Seek Professional Guidance: If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about defining your style, consider working with Valerie Ruddy Designs – Decorating Den Interiors. Contact us at 973-239-3004 or email at vruddy@decoratingden.com. We look forward to helping you with your next project.
Finding your interior design style is an exciting journey that involves exploring different aesthetics, understanding your preferences, and discovering what resonates with you. We can help and make it even more fun.
