Dear CJ,

We have purchased our first house and are ready to start adding more furniture and style to our new home. Before we start filling it haphazardly, I would like to determine my interior design style.

How do we go about determining what our style is?

Sincerely,

Allison D.

Dear Allison,

Thank you for reaching out to me! You came to the right place to help determine your interior design style.

In my own life I have had a variety of interior design styles and have developed each one based on a variety of elements. But for some, they always seem to gravitate to a certain look. Here I will share with you what I believe guides you in determining your interior design style. One that you will enjoy for years to come in your new home.

Warm Regards,

Celeste J.

below is my guide to determine your interior design style ...

Architecture

The architecture of your home will help determine your style. Does your home have sleek modern lines? Or does it have arched windows and doorways that lend themself to a more traditional look? Or perhaps you have a Cape Cod-style home that has a coastal feeling. There is a reason you were drawn to your new home. Let the lines and details that you were drawn to guide you in determining your interior design style.

Artwork

The art you own or are drawn to is a perfect way to narrow down your style. The client whose living room is pictured above has built an eclectic but modern art collection over the decades I’ve worked with them. They started with one piece and built it up over 20 years and 4 homes that I have worked on with them. Some of the furnishings are traditional, but the art is modern, which in some cases I would call transitional, but here I would call it eclectic because of all the bold art and accessories.

If you don’t have any artwork you love, then ask yourself what genres of art you are drawn to. Visit museums or art galleries and note what speaks to you. Is it modern, like Picasso, Matisse, or Kandinsky? Or do you prefer art in the Impressionism genre, like Monet, Renoir, or Degas, which would lend itself to a more traditional style?

It takes time to develop your cultural tastes if you haven’t done this already. Be patient and take the time to find what you like, or sometimes it’s a process of elimination of discovering what you don’t like. Check out our earlier post for guidance on selecting art.

Furniture Styles

What pieces of furniture do you already own? If those are pieces you love, then take a look at the arms and the details of those pieces.

In my client’s family room above, she is drawn to the English arm on the sofas as well as the rolled back. She also loves antiques such as the Louis XV-style chair. In the 23 years I’ve worked with this client, she has built on a few pieces that she loved. Although in the beginning we were leaning towards a heavier, dark traditional look, by the time we altered the exterior of their home, we determined that it was a cottage style (basically traditional with softer colors and fabrics) that she really loved.

If you don’t own any furniture you love, then look for pieces online that draw your interest. It’s easy to fall for buying everything from one retailer you like. There are some good ones out there, but try to mix it up and develop your unique style.

Cultural Background

I’m a Midwest girl with Irish and Bavarian roots, so I lean toward a more classic, tailored, traditional style. When I work with clients who have lived in other parts of the U.S. or other countries, I take my time to understand their likes and dislikes. I can usually get a pretty good feeling when I first enter their homes, from the fabrics, furniture, and accessories they already have, to help develop their style further.

Honor your heritage and let that guide you in refining your style further.

Inspiration

We have so many online sources and platforms to help develop our style. Start with Pinterest or Instagram and create your board to establish the look you are attracted to. Be sure it resonates, and it is a look you would love to be surrounded by. Let it inspire you, but don’t let it overwhelm your unique style. Use it as a starting point to develop your own unique style so that you can determine your own interior design style.

Here is a list of Styles I have listed on my Client Profile that help my clients narrow down their style. I hope this helps!

☐ Transitional

☐ Traditional

☐Contemporary

☐ Arts & Crafts

☐ Bohemian Chic

☐ Eclectic

☐ Vintage

☐ Organic Chic

☐ Industrial

☐ Rustic

☐ Old World