My interior design style has evolved quite a bit over the years. I truly believe one of the most pivotal steps in designing a home you love is finding your interior design style. I’ve seen its power in my own home, and now I help clients do the same as part of my 1:1 design services. However, it’s essential to note that once you find your interior design style, it will change and evolve over time. Identifying your style doesn’t mean you are stuck with it forever. Your style can and should evolve as you do, as you move homes, or as your priorities change with kids, for example.

In this post, I’ll share how my style has evolved over the years, the journey from the early days of uncertainty to now, and how you can undergo this transformative process yourself.

Moving Into Our First Home

Let’s go back to the beginning of my interior design journey, which started when we moved into my husband’s and I first home. Decorating it was incredibly exciting because I had always loved decor and design. I spent countless hours on Pinterest, planning and gathering inspiration. However, the reality quickly became overwhelming due to the endless choices in paint colors, rugs, pillows, and more. I was overwhelmed.

The photos below are cringe-y to look back on, but you can see all the iterations and changes our living room went through in 5 years.

I tried to do a little bit of everything, which ended up as a hodge podge of ideas. I would find an inspiration photo of a cool gallery wall and want to replicate it. Then I’d discover a unique rug and want to incorporate that. While shopping Target I’d stumble across some pillows on sale and I’d buy them impulsively. Bringing these random items into my home led to a disjointed and chaotic look. I wasn’t happy with how anything looked, and then I’d want to scrap everything and start all over again. I’d return the said Target pillows and wait for the next thing to call my name.

This was a cycle I kept repeating for a while.

I had a tight budget so I’d look for things on FB marketplace to see what deals I could find. I remember finding an amazing deal on a marble coffee table, convinced it would be the perfect piece for my living room. So I hopped in my car, drove to the pick up spot, and loaded the heavy coffee table in my car. It was a cherry wood so I planned on sanding and re-staining it for a different look.

Hours later, realizing sanding the intricate wood detailing wasn’t working like I thought, I decided to bring it inside to see how it looked. Sitting in my living room, it clashed with the rest of the decor I already had. I hated it. It was frustrating and confusing. How could I love each piece individually but dislike the overall look?

A few months later I sold the coffee table on FB marketplace and was on the hunt for something else.

The Turning Point: Finding My Style

I couldn’t figure out why my home felt so mismatched. I was choosing pieces I liked, but they didn’t come together like I had envisioned. Following the advice or “choose what you love, it will eventually fall into place” isn’t quite the reality.

This doesn’t take into account how pieces work together or that there might be a few elements you like you’ve never even considered or overlooked.

I knew there had to be a better way. This realization led me to research and develop my style. I wanted to be able to describe what I liked and why, instead of relying on “I know it when I see it.”

The process was transformative for my home and myself. You can learn how to find your own interior design style too.

Before, I didn’t have an end goal in mind. I was “building the plane while it was in the air.” Piece mealing decor together. Now, I have a clear vision, making it much more enjoyable and efficient because I have guidelines and direction. I don’t make mistakes like I used to and truly love the way my home looks now!

A key moment was when I realized the importance of a cohesive color palette. Laying out my favorite decor items, I noticed a pattern in colors and textures. This “aha” moment showed me that I was naturally drawn to texture and earthy tones. Selecting pieces within this palette made everything click into place.

The Evolution: Adapting and Growing with Your Style

Once I found my style, I leaned towards a transitional mix with transitional elements. Eventually, a too-large sectional sofa was replaced with a better-sized one, improving the living room layout. Introducing leather chairs added the warmth and sophistication the room needed. Discovering that I loved leather furniture helped me bring this element into my room design effectively. Swapping a colorful rug for a neutral one with a traditional vibe was a big improvement in elevating the space.

One of my favorite pieces now are the leather armchairs. This is one of those elements that I didn’t realize I loved until I did my style deep dive. It’s a core part of my style that would have always gone untapped, and my room designs would have always felt flat without it.

If you’re opting for a colorful rug, think about how it will interact with seasonal decorations. For instance, I had a hard time decorating the Christmas tree because everything clashed with the bright blue rug. Wall art was another significant change in the living room. I experimented with different pieces above the sofas but didn’t love any until I found a framed black-and-white photo of a horse. Its modern aesthetic felt right.

If you feel your style evolving or you’re craving a change, start with swapping out accessories or wall art. This is the easiest way to add or swap colors in your palette without doing a complete overhaul. Make changes slowly, one at a time, to see if they achieve the look you’re after. Try adding new throw pillows and a new vase. Or maybe switch out the art on the wall for something different. Swapping out large furniture pieces will have a significant impact on the overall room design. Obviously, the bigger the piece, the bigger the change it will bring to the room.

I remember swapping our old sectional that for a modern white sofa. Instantly, the room felt more modern and sophisticated. This taught me that investing in a key piece of furniture could inspire other updates to match the new vibe and direction.

Moving into Our Current Home

When we moved homes, it was fun to have a blank slate and start from scratch. The house had arches and traditional elements, so I leaned towards a classic transitional style with a touch of rustic. Moving in with a clear vision was crucial this time around and made the decorating process so much more enjoyable.

One thing I did was embrace the unique architectural features of our new home. The arched doorways were something I wanted to highlight rather than hide. I chose furniture and decor that complemented these features rather than clashing with them. This approach not only respected the home’s original character but also made it easier to create a cohesive design.

The more practice and time you spend decorating and honing your style, the easier it becomes. It becomes easier to identify pieces that fit within your style. Now, I feel confident and content with my home. I have less urge to switch things up like I did years ago because I already like the way it looks. I’m not constantly tweaking things because I’m satisfied with them.

Evolving with Trends and Influences

Even trends and social media can influence your style. For instance, following interior designers like Emily Henderson, who incorporates unique vintage pieces, inspires me to do the same. It’s important to let your style be flexible and evolve as you do. While her style is quite quirky for me, I still find her work inspiring and take little nuggets here and there.

After nearly five years in our house, I’m starting to tweak small corners I hadn’t taken the time to finish. I am slowly going to add a few framed pieces of art to our dining area and swap out the wall decor. I also want to add some wood trim detail to give the space more depth and dimension.

The Power of Practice and Patience

Finding your interior design style is a journey of practice and patience. It’s about discovering what you love and what works for you. Your style will continue to evolve as you do, and that’s the beauty of it.

Your home should be a reflection of you, and as you grow and change, so should your space. It’s okay to try new things and make changes.

As you evolve, so will your taste and preferences. Stay open to new ideas and inspirations. Follow interior designers and decor enthusiasts whose styles resonate with you.

Remember, your home is your happy place. It should grow and adapt with you. Embrace the journey of discovering your interior design style, and enjoy the process of creating a space that truly feels like home.

Finding your interior design style is a rewarding and makes decorating SO much easier. It’s not just about creating a beautiful space, but about creating a home that fits your life and style. If you’re ready for a little more ease around decorating and want to finish a space once and for all, let’s schedule some time to chat about how we can work together!