Discovering your unique interior design style can be both an exciting and daunting task. Whether you’re redecorating a single room or overhauling your entire home, understanding your personal aesthetic is key to creating a space that feels truly yours. Here are some practical steps to help you identify and cultivate your signature style. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a space that reflects your personal style and enhances your living experience.
It’s about tuning into what naturally appeals to you (not just what’s trending) and building a space that feels authentic and lived-in
Reflect on your preferences and inspirations
Reflecting on your preferences and inspirations is one of the most personal and important steps in discovering your signature interior design style. It’s about tuning into what naturally appeals to you (not just what’s trending) and building a space that feels authentic and lived-in.
Start by thinking about places that have made you feel comfortable and inspired, whether it’s a boutique hotel, a friend’s home or even a cosy corner of a café. Consider what elements stood out to you. Was it the soft lighting, the colour palette, the use of natural materials or the sense of calm and order?
Your own lifestyle and personality play a big role too. Are you someone who loves clean lines and simplicity or do you find comfort in eclectic spaces filled with books, art and history? Do you prefer bright, airy rooms or darker, moodier ones? Even your fashion choices can give you clues. Do you lean towards neutrals, bold prints or textural layers? These can reflect your natural design inclinations. Take note of any recurring themes in your taste, as this helps you begin to define what feels “you” in a space.
These reflections become the foundation of your signature style, a design direction that evolves from within, not just from the latest fads. It ensures your home feels genuine, intentional, and completely yours.
Exploring and experimenting with different interior design styles is a crucial step in creating your own signature aesthetic
Explore and experiment with different styles
Exploring and experimenting with different interior design styles is a crucial step in creating your own signature aesthetic. Rather than locking yourself into one defined look, take the time to understand different interior design styles, from contemporary and coastal to boho, industrial and classic. Each style has its own personality, materials, and mood, and getting hands-on with them helps you figure out what truly speaks to you. Australian interiors, for example, often pull from multiple influences, Scandi minimalism, Mediterranean warmth or relaxed coastal vibes. Don’t be afraid to mix and match.
Start by immersing yourself in inspiration. Flick through design magazines, scroll Instagram and Pinterest, visit showrooms or check out home tours and display homes. Notice what consistently draws your eye. Maybe it’s the light, airy calm of Hamptons-style interiors or the layered textures and patterns of a more eclectic, global aesthetic. Sometimes you won’t know what you love until you see it in action, so it’s worth stepping outside your comfort zone.
Once you’ve got a feel for what you like, start experimenting in small ways. Try rearranging furniture, swapping out soft furnishings, or styling a vignette with pieces from different styles to see how they sit together. Even changing a few elements, like a new rug, pendant light or splash of colour can shift the whole feel of a room. The beauty of this approach is that it allows you to develop a look that’s truly personal.
Don’t hesitate to mix elements from different styles to create a look that feels authentic to you. For instance, combining the warmth of rustic features with the sleekness of modern design can result in a unique and personalised space. The key is to ensure that the elements you choose harmonise well together.
Over time, you’ll start to identify a thread that ties your choices together—that’s your signature style in the making.
A mood board not only helps you define your personal style, but it also serves as a handy guide when shopping for and planning a room layout
Create a mood board
Creating a mood board is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to define your signature interior design style.
A mood board not only helps you define your personal style, but it also serves as a handy guide when shopping, planning a room layout or communicating your vision to designers or trades.
It acts as a visual reference that brings together the colours, textures, patterns, and furniture pieces you’re drawn to, helping you identify a consistent theme or aesthetic direction. Whether you use digital platforms like Pinterest, Canva, or a physical cork board with magazine clippings and fabric samples, the process allows you to visualise how different design elements work together.
Start by collecting inspiration from a variety of sources, from interior design blogs, social media, home magazines and real-life spaces that catch your eye.
Don’t overthink it, just save or pin anything that feels right to you. As your board fills up, you’ll start to notice patterns emerging, whether it’s a love for natural materials, neutral colour palettes or bold, graphic shapes. Group similar images or materials together to see how cohesive your preferences are.
Once you’ve gathered enough visuals, review your board critically. Ask yourself:
- what colours dominate?
- what mood or vibe is consistent across the images?
- are there particular furniture styles, layouts, or decor elements that repeat?
Use this information to articulate your style—whether it’s modern coastal, warm minimalism, or eclectic boho.
Consider the mood you want to evoke in your space—do you desire a calm retreat, a vibrant gathering place or a functional family hub
Define and refine your style
Once you’ve gathered inspiration and explored various styles, it’s time to define your own. Consider the mood you want to evoke in your space—do you desire a calm retreat, a vibrant gathering place or a functional family hub? Your lifestyle and daily routines should influence your design choices. For example, if you entertain frequently, prioritise comfortable seating and an open layout.
Defining and refining your signature interior design style is about translating your personal tastes, lifestyle and values into a cohesive look and feel for your home. It’s not about following trends for the sake of it but rather creating a space that feels distinctly yours, where you genuinely enjoy spending time. Once you’ve gathered inspiration and identified what consistently resonates with you, you can begin to shape your own aesthetic. This could be a clear-cut style like “modern Mediterranean” or a unique blend, like “rustic with a minimalist edge.”
Start by choosing a foundation, which includes your colour palette, key furniture pieces and the overall mood you want to achieve. Think about how you want the space to function. For example, if your lifestyle revolves around entertaining, you might prioritise open-plan layouts and social seating. If relaxation is key, then soothing textures, ambient lighting and calm tones might lead your design. Always consider the practicalities of your day-to-day life, including family needs, pets or working from home.
As you refine your style, consistency is important, but don’t be afraid to mix things up or evolve. Your signature style should grow with you. Layer in personal touches that reflect your story, like artwork you love, vintage finds or handmade ceramics. Over time, you’ll build a space that not only looks beautiful but feels authentically you. Great interiors aren’t rushed. Let your home develop naturally, piece by piece, to ensure it always feels right.
Remember, your style can evolve over time, so remain open to adjustments as your preferences and needs change.