What Is Your Design Style? A Journey to Self-Expression

Discovering Your Design Style: A Journey to Self-Expression

Interior Design isn’t just about arranging furniture or picking colours—it’s about crafting a space that feels like you. Your style should reflect your personality, preferences and how you live.

With so many design approaches out there, finding your unique style can seem daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Let Stripe Interiors guide you through the process, helping you discover a style that feels like home.

Exploring Design Styles

Start by understanding a few key design approaches; the two key ones that we have looked at recently are: 

Minimalism: For those who appreciate simplicity and functionality, clean lines, neutral tones. A 'less is more' philosophy; serene, clutter free. 

Maximalism: If you love colour, rich textures then this style is all about layering patterns, mixing elements and creating a vibrant, character-filled space. 

Or somewhere in-between - the clean lines are appealing, the neutral colours but we crave the individuality of things we love. 

Consider Your Lifestyle

Your everyday habits can help shape your decorating style. Ask yourself:

How do you use your space?

Do you prefer a calm, organised environment?

How many family and friends use your space?

Do you have dependents, kids, pets to consider?

What Kind of Atmosphere Are You After?

Peaceful?

Lively, stimulating?

How Do You Live Day-to-Day?

Find Your Inspiration

Discovering your style starts with gathering inspiration. Here’s how:

Create a Mood Board: Collect images, fabrics and colours that inspire you. Seeing them come together will help you to identify where your eye lingers and your pulse begins to beat a little faster. 

Browse magazines and online sources, Pinterest is great to put ideas into rooms and see how the colours and styles grow. Ditto Instagram. 

Visit showrooms and Open Houses - new build showhouses are a great source of what is new in the industry from furniture trends, colours and curtain styles.

Hotel lobbies are another great insight into designer trend direction - especially if they have a bar area or restaurant; experiencing different styles in person can help clarify what resonates for you. 

Evaluate Your Current Space

Look around and assess what’s working and what’s not.

Favourite pieces: What do you love about your current room and furniture? Colour? Sofa shape? Walls and lighting? Do you have enough space? Too little space? 

Recognising what you don't like is just as important as knowing what you do. 

Experiment and Evolve

Be True to Yourself

Your home should reflect who you are. Don’t feel pressured to stick to trends or follow a specific style. The goal is to create a space that feels like you. Friends and family will always be there with advice but remember that they go back to their home and you are then left with their choice and not yours...

Blending Styles: Find Your Balance

You don’t have to choose one style exclusively. Combining approaches can create a more harmonious look:

Create a Focal Point: Start with one statement piece and build around it.

Balance Bold and Neutral: Use bold accents against a neutral background for contrast.

Layer for Depth: Pair minimalist essentials with maximalist touches to add character and functionality.

In Summary

Discovering your decorating style is about exploring your tastes and embracing what feels right. By reflecting on your lifestyle, gathering inspiration, and experimenting with different elements, you can create a space that’s truly yours. Whether you lean towards minimalism, maximalism, or somewhere in between, enjoy the journey of making your home a reflection of you.

And remember, Stripe Interiors is here to help bring your vision to life; our planner Room Story will help you plot out your rooms in more detail.