Defining Your Decorating Style

Style. We all have some version of it whether it’s the clothes we wear, the car we drive, or the things we fill our home with. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to give our sense of style a specific name. When it comes to home decorating, however, knowing your decorating (design) style is important for a few reasons. 

For one, knowing your decorating style will help make decorating decisions easier. After all, there is an abundance of styles out there to choose from, which can result in a lot of confusion and frustration if you don’t have a solid grasp on what you like. 

Understanding your decorating style will also enable you to display your style well, whether you have a single style or prefer to showcase a mix of a few of your favorites. In a nutshell, it lets you create a home that is truly reflective of what you enjoy the most, rather than a place that just doesn’t suit you. 

Do You Know What Your Decorating Style Is? 

While several people do have a set style, it’s not uncommon for many others to enjoy a mix of them. In fact, liking elements from a variety of different decorating styles is completely normal. Encouraged, even! So, with so many decorating styles out there, how does one go about defining what brings them the most joy? 

Think Outside the Box

It’s important to remember that the more you understand what you really like, the better you will be able to furnish or adorn your home’s interior with just the right decorative elements to achieve a specific aesthetic. A good place to start is to think about the other various things that reflect what style is all about. What kind of clothes do you wear? What types of music do you listen to or books do you like to read? Do you have a favorite travel destination? Take those things into consideration, letting them point you toward your style.

After that, take a look around your home. Look at your furniture to see what you really want to keep and what you want to replace. Gather your cherished items to see what makes you feel joyful. Keep your eyes open to common colors, shapes, materials, shapes, etc, of things within your space. Doing things like this will help determine if you’re more of a single style type or someone who prefers a blend.

A Look at Decorating Styles 

There are several design styles out there, so we won’t be covering all of them in-depth here (see our individual posts on specific design styles). We will, however, give a quick overview of some of the most popular styles that might appeal to you.

• Traditional: A timeless style that embraces detail. Heavier fabrics, intricate moldings, warm wood finishes, and rich color palettes are often trademarks of this style.
• Modern: Sleek, smooth, and polished. Neutral color palettes, geometric shapes, and an asymmetrical look are common.
• Contemporary: Often confused with modern design, contemporary is not necessarily tied to a specific period of time, but rather an ever-evolving style that reflects what is happening in the here and now.
• Transitional: A clean and serene blend of traditional and contemporary style. Elements include simple yet sophisticated furniture lines, diverse textures and patterns within fabrics, neutral colors, and minimal accessories.
• Eclectic: A mix of several styles that work within a space as long as a common color, texture, finish, or pattern can be found.
• Modern Farmhouse: A modern twist on a classic American style that embraces the clean lines of contemporary design and industrial finishes, all while maintaining that homey and rustic appeal. 
• Cottage: Casual and comfortable style full of aged pieces and soft pastels.
• Rustic: An informal, yet elegant style focused on natural, unrefined elements such as exposed beams, leather, wood floors, natural fabrics, and stone.
• Bohemian: Carefree and relaxed, this eclectic-like style is full of life, culture, and interesting items that create an incredibly unique aesthetic. 

Again, the best way to define your decorating style (or styles) is to start with the overall feeling of the room. Decide how you want it to feel. Then, look through the above-listed styles and determine what one (or two) you’re drawn to the most. 

Once you’ve figured it out, let us help you turn that vision into reality. Visit us at one of our showrooms to check out the latest designer upholstery fabrics available at amazing prices.