How to determine your home decor personality

Just as clothes are an extension of yourself, your home or your space is an extension of who you are, your personality!

So the space you live in should also speak volumes about you! That for me is the most important element while styling or decorating your home. Be it with throws on couch, or colorful cushion covers - every element should tell your story.

What’s your home’s style statement? 

Homes can be from boho chic to minimal modern, from contemporary to traditional; or from kitschy to classical. A lot of factors might influence your bent towards a specific kind of interior, including your age group, your family set up, your demographic set up, the lifestyle you follow, or the socio-economic standing of an individual. 

 So the next question that comes up is: how do you define what your décor style is? How do you find the style that suits you and the lifestyle you’ve built for yourself? 

 Well here are some easy questions and tips that would help you know about your personal style and also how it relates to your space.

1. Determine your family set up

So if you had to describe you/your family set up in 2-3 words, what would be the first few words that would come to your mind? 

 Sometimes, it is normal, and to a certain degree, more interesting to have the second word that is completely opposite of what the first word was (like classic and kitschy). Since most of us have multiple characteristics, using contradictory words help in making the space more exciting! 

 That’s the décor style your home should have. Well, that was easy, right?

2. Sift through home decor magazines 

What also helps at this point is to browse through a few home magazines and tear out a couple of pictures of homes that you would love yours to look and feel like. Maybe the cushion cover arrangement seems elegant? Maybe you got some great throws on couch setting ideas? Let yourself get inspired!

3. Figure out your patterns 

Now your next question could be: “Well, okay, so I have the  two-three describing words and maybe a couple of pictures! What next? How do I correlate this to my home interiors?”

For starters, you need to understand what kind of patterns (or no patterns) do you feel comfortable in? What makes you feel calm and makes you feel at home? It could be a damask pattern or a traditional paisley, a simple stripe or an opulent suzani pattern. You need to understand what kind of design elements you are naturally drawn to. For example, if you like printed cushion covers that depict the tropics, your home’s vibe could be summery and tropical.

4. Find out a color scheme

The third most important factor is the use of colors. Each color says a different story and the usage of one along with another changes our perception of the color story. 

Look back at your magazine tear- out. Does it have any specific color theme? Would you like your home to be in soft neutrals with warm creams, stony pewter and browns or would you prefer splashes of colors?

The color theme does not and, in fact, should not be consistent through all rooms of your home. Keeping the overall look similar and reflective of who you are, playing with colors in different set ups adds a fun element. When you walk from one room to another, you will have a refreshing feel. You can try out colorful cushion covers to that effect.

5. Know your furniture preferences 

Lastly, the artifacts and the furniture of your home speak a ton about your personality. Walking through the space you would like to decorate or style with a diary and make two lists, labeling one as ‘love it’, and the other as ‘wish I could replace it’. 

Please be honest about this list because “It’s all based on how things make you feel,” as aptly said by interior design expert, Carrie McCarthy.

Once the above thoughts are put together, you will notice there are some common factors that would bind together. The common threads would include- look, feel, design element, vibe, design elements and materials. And that’s what your interior décor style is! You’ve done it! 

On a closing note, the most important element you need to keep in mind while redecorating or styling your home is loving every inch of your space. Love your space, love the textiles used, love the paintings on the wall, love the sofa you sit on, and most importantly, love the people you live with! They help make your house a home.