If you feel like you love every single decorating style you see on Pinterest, you aren't alone. One day, you’re dreaming of a crisp coastal cottage, and the next, you’re swooning over a moody English study.
After 30 years of designing homes, I have learned that the secret isn’t picking just one; it’s learning how to find your interior design style in a way that feels cohesive and personal.
Finding your look is a journey, and today I’m sharing the exact process I use with my design clients to help them narrow down their favorites. Whether you’re an empty nester like me or just starting out, your home should be a reflection of what makes you feel content.
How to Find Your Interior Design Style Step-by-Step
The biggest mistake people make is trying to choose a “label” before they look at what they actually love. We are going to do the opposite.
Start with a Brain Dump of Inspiration
Magazines
Before you worry about a budget or your current furniture, start gathering images. I love to sit down with a stack of my favorite home decor magazines and just start ripping out pages. Don't think about why you like it yet—if it makes your heart skip a beat, rip it out.
Pro tip: Write on each page what you like about it. For example, wall color, pillows or rug.
If you prefer digital, head over to my Pinterest page and start a new board. Pin anything that feels cozy and welcoming to you. Don't worry about the price tag or if it seems “tacky” to someone else. This is all about you!
Note: My Pinterest is organized by rooms and they all begin with Decorarting. In other words if you are looking for dining room ideas go to Decorating Dining Room. The boards are in alphabetical order.
Analyzing the Common Threads
Once you have a pile of pages or a full Pinterest board, it’s time to look for the “common thread.” Spread your pictures out on the dining table and look for repeats.
Are you seeing a lot of blue and white? Are the textures mostly natural, like jute and linen, or do you see a lot of velvet and gold? Usually, even if you think you like everything, a pattern will start to emerge. This is the beginning of defining your home decor style.
Here are some examples:
See the common threads? Light and airy, medium tone woods and wicker, neutrals and blues.
Finding Your Interior Design Style When You Like Everything
If you find yourself stuck between three different looks, don't panic. You don't have to choose just one.
The Power of the Mood Board
A mood board is like a filter for your home. It helps you see how different pieces will play together before you spend a dime. I highly recommend making a mood board for every room you decorate.
You can use a tool like Canva to do this digitally, or go the old-fashioned route with a piece of foam board featuring samples and your magazine clippings.
When I helped my niece with her bedroom makeover, she thought she was totally lost. But once we put everything on a board, we realized she loved a very specific “boho neutral” vibe with lots of warmth.
Taking an Interior Design Style Quiz
Sometimes you just need a little nudge in the right direction. An interior design style quiz can be a great starting point to give you a baseline.
Search for a few online or try the Designer Society of America quiz and see what results you get. Do they feel like “you”? If the results keep saying “Traditional” but your heart is at the flea market, trust your gut over the quiz.
Tips for Narrowing Down Your Decorating Style
Your lifestyle is the best filter for your design choices. If you love keeping everything out on the counters in your kitchen, it's hard to have a “minimalist” home, or if you have three dogs and a love for collecting vintage ironstone, and you love it all on display, you might be more of a maximilist!
Consider Your Lifestyle Constraints
Think about how you actually live in your home. Do you have pets like my cat Kit, who might snag certain fabrics? Do you host big family dinners? If you love to read, your style should incorporate cozy corners and bookshelves. Your decor has to work for your real life, not just look pretty in a photo.
Testing with Small Changes
If you’re nervous about a new look, start small. Swap out your throw pillows or add a new blanket to your sofa. I always say that accessories are the best way to “date” a style before you “marry” it.
Live with those small changes for a week. If they still make you smile when you walk into the room, you’re on the right track.
Mixing Styles for a Unique Signature Look
This is where the magic happens! You can absolutely mix a few styles to create something that is uniquely yours.
The 80/20 Rule for Decorating
To keep an eclectic home from looking like a cluttered mess, try the 80/20 rule. Use one main style for about 80% of the room (like Modern Farmhouse) and use the remaining 20% for your “flair” (like French Country or Vintage). This keeps the room feeling balanced but full of character.
Staying True to Yourself vs. Following Trends
Trends come and go so fast these days, but a “collected” home is timeless. In my house, I mix newer pieces like my Pottery Barn sofa with antiques I've found over the years. By staying true to what you love, rather than what's currently “in”, your home will always feel right to you.
Investing in Your Core Style Pieces
Once you feel confident in your direction, it's time to commit to those larger furniture pieces.
Choosing Larger Furniture with Confidence
When you are ready to shop for sofas, dining tables, a bed, or rugs, refer back to your mood board. It will keep you from making an impulse purchase that doesn't fit your overall vision.
I also love to pick one “inspiration piece” like a piece of artwork, vintage rug, or bedding, and pull all my colors from that. (See the comforter on the foot of this bed and the accent wall color. I pulled the color from the comforter to tie the two together)
If you are looking for ways to decorate your walls while you're still deciding, check out my Etsy shop for some printable art. It's a great, budget-friendly way to test out different vibes!
Common Questions About Finding Your Style (FAQ)
What if my husband and I have different styles? This is so common! The best approach is to find a “bridge.” If you love vintage and your partner loves modern, look for “mid-century modern” pieces that have that older soul but cleaner lines.
How many styles can I mix in one room? I usually recommend sticking to two or three main influences. Any more than that and the room can start to feel a bit disjointed.
Can I change my decor style later? Absolutely! Your home should evolve as you do. That’s why I love a neutral base—it makes it so easy to swap out accents as your tastes change.
Final Thoughts
Finding your interior design style is a journey, not a destination. It’s okay to take your time and let your home grow with you. If you’re looking for more inspiration on creating a home with a story, you might enjoy my book, Vintage Nest, where I talk all about the beauty of a collected home.
Here is a list of decorating styles you can look up and learn more about. This will help you write on each page what is going on in the photo:
- Modern Farmhouse
- Farmhouse Style
- French Country
- English Cottage
- Mid-Century Modern
- Coastal Style
- Scandinavian Design
- Bohemian Design (also known as boho)
- Art Deco
- Rustic Farmhouse or Country
- Traditional Interior Design Style
- Modern Design
- Hollywood Glam
- Cottagecore
And the list goes on and on.
Now that you have a list of your style. A great way to start is to take on a decorating project.
Share your decor style in the comments below! I'd love to hear what colors and unique touches make your house feel like home.
Happy Decorating!
