How To: Define Your Style

We suffer from information overload these days. Turn on any HGTV program or read any design magazine. There are so many fantastic spaces out there, not to mention an endless amount of advice available at any hour of the day. We are bombarded by opinions everywhere from the experts on TV right on down to your family, friends and neighbours. The problem is that none of the answers are going to be the same. You cannot have style that pleases absolutely everyone. It is never going to work. Chasing after trend after trend or embarking on impulse shopping sprees will lead to a chaotic looking home that will never feel “right”. Sooner or later you will have to figure out what your personal style is if you want a gorgeous, true-to-you home.

This is absolutely a daunting task. It’s no wonder so many people feel lost. How do you pick just one syle from so many? What do you if you like french country one week and mid-century
modern the next? Well, luckily your own true style is often a blend: modern country or funky-asian-traditional. When you find the right thing, everything becomes easier. Shopping will become a breeze. Eliminating the items that don’t fit in your home will be a snap. This isn’t a process that removes your options – It’s about the process of defining what is truly you.

maybe you are modern country?

Image by AT

So where do we begin? Here are a few different ways that you can use to narrow down your personal style:

Method #1: The Photo Collection

1 – Collect
Go through your old magazines and clip out some rooms that really speak to you. If you prefer digital, create a desktop folder and put in some photos that you have collected online. Don’t think too much about the “why” at the moment, just clip and file. Don’t pick rooms you think you should like either. Make sure you are picking what you are really-and-truly inspired by.

2 – Focus
Now we are working with the creme de la creme! Narrow down your selections to anywhere from 10-15 images that you really love.

3 – Analyze
Take a good long look at your remaining photos. Grab a notepad and write down the
similarities. Think of things like:
- colour schemes
- artwork
- style of furniture
- flooring or tile colours
- etc.

By now, there should definitely be some common elements showing themselves. You don’t need to list everything, but even just noting a few key elements will be a fantastic start to defining your personal style. For example, I tend to gravitate to black, white and grey
spaces (not beige). I like high-contrast graphic spaces and modern art. My personal style could be called asian modern with perhaps a touch of glamour (lots of shiny objects and laquer). So the large pieces in my home tend to fit along those lines. If you are stuck, ask for help from a friend.

or asian traditional?

Image by Niken

Method #2: The Wardrobe
Another way to find your style is to try boiling it down by looking in your closet. I find that most people have a pretty defined closet even if their homes are suffering from an identity crisis. So here are two things to look for:

1 – What colours are in your closet?
Caveat: this one can be as misleading as it is helpful. I know a lot of people with an all-black
wardrobe, so if the same applies you, skip this step. For the rest of us though, there will be
some similarities between wardrobe and home. Not surprisingly, my wardrobe is mostly black,
white and grey also.

2 – What else does your wardrobe say about you?
What is your style? Are you preppy, hipster or trendsetting? Or maybe you have an endless supply of safe neutral basics with a few flashy accessories? It is likely that applying similar principals and style to your abode will yield happy results. For example, preppy becomes nautical and hipster becomes diy-chic etc.

Whatever method you use, finding a personal style is a great first step to having a fantastic home.