Do you struggle with decorating your space and knowing just what your decor style is? I know it may sound a bit crazy, but in the past, I have struggled to figure out my decor style as well. With so many articles, blogs, pictures, and posts out there it is easy to feel overwhelmed. To feel like you have no “style” when everyone else seems so put together.
Decorating doesn’t have to be difficult. Your style is unique and special to you and doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. The ONLY rule in decorating that you need to follow, is that YOUR space needs to be a reflection of YOU and what YOU love.
If you learn to listen to your own heart and mind, your style will fall into place and become second nature. When you stop and listen, you will discover the clues that will make pulling your space together effortless.
How do you actually do that though? How do you start to figure out your decor style, and then turn it into a space that you love… a space that not only looks cohesive and beautiful but that makes you feel calm and happy every time you see it?
Here are three easy things you can do to get started in the right direction. Each of these will help you discover what you love and what speaks to you and from there decorating will become second nature.
What excites you…
I find this one especially helpful when someone doesn’t know where to start. Head to an antique store, flea market or craft sale. Walk around and make note (or even better, take pictures) of three things that really speak to you. Don’t worry about the cost, what someone else might think or how crazy the item might seem. If it really, truly makes your heart skip a beat, add it to your list.
What made you stop in your tracks?
Did they have anything in common?
Were you surprised at what spoke to you?
The last time I did this, I was at an antique market with a friend, and even I was surprised by how random my three picks were…
Number one was an old wooden table that was worn, weathered, and looked like a thousand meals had been eaten at it. It was beaten up, roughed up and absolutely gorgeous.
Number two was a soft pink 1950s cake plate and cover. It was tin and random and oh so pretty.
Number three was an old worn wool blanket. It was the palest of pinks and looked perfectly at home over an old wooden chair.
What colours draw you in…
As you go through your day today, pay attention to all of the colours that you see. Make note (or take pictures!) of three that you absolutely love. They might be soft and muted or vibrant and loud. It doesn’t matter. Just make note of three that make you smile when you see them.
What colours are you drawn to?
Do they have anything in common?
Are they typically colours you already choose for your home or clothing?
When I paid attention to the colours around me one I day the colours that caught my eye were a cream coloured tray that was soft and pretty, an old blue hutch the colour of a Robin’s egg, and my linen apron that has wisps of whites, beiges, and creams all mixed together.
What do you love to do…
Write down three things that you love to do. They may make you feel excited and energetic or calm and relaxed. They may be things that you do every day or that you only get to do once in a while. It doesn’t matter what they are, as long as they are special to you.
What do you love to do?
Do the activities have anything in common?
Are they things that you could incorporate aspects of into your decor?
Three things that I absolutely love to do are take drives in the country on small, off-the-beaten-track roads, be at the cottage, and be in, around, or on water.
Pulling it all together…
Once you’ve done the three exercises, take some time to answer the questions and start to look at your answers and your list of items, colours, and activities as a whole.
Are there elements of the items that excite you, the colours that speak to you and the activities that you are drawn to that tie together in any way?
Can you see how any of the elements could go together?
Are there items on your list the complement each other?
As you learn to appreciate what speaks to you and how they work together, begin to add those elements to your space. You don’t have to do it overnight or all at once, but as you see items or colours that have your common theme and add them, your space will take on an entirely new, cohesive feel.
For me, I love water and it, therefore, makes complete sense that I am drawn to the colour blue (and have it in every room of my house now). I also love being outside in nature so natural elements like wood, and colours like browns and creams remind me of what I love. Over time, my home has become filled with items and colours that speak to me and that has given it a feel and style that is truly reflective of who I am.
Just remember that your decor style will evolve as you do so don’t think that because something speaks to you today means that you are locked into it for the next 30 years. As long as you are being true to what makes you happy, your space will always be a beautiful reflection of who YOU are and that is all that matters!
I never read things like this about figuring out my style because I do have my own style, it just comes natural to me. When I saw you had three things I was intrigued so I read the article. This is a wonderful way to figure out who you are. I was so impressed that I’m going to share this with others who ask me this question quite frequently.
I’ve been browsing your blog, found through Hometalk, and I will subscribe. I like what I see so far and I want to see more! Have a great weekend!
Shirley
That is so lovely of you to say Shirley! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and I am so glad you liked what you saw 😉 I agree that to some of us style comes naturally but it can be so difficult for others and I hear it so often too. I thought it was worth taking the time to pass along some tips and tricks for those who may struggle to pull a room or space together. Thank you again for stopping by and passing the info along.