Figuring out your interior design style is something you might struggle with at the beginning of your project, especially after having a Pinterest or Houzz board filled with different styles and loving a little bit of everything. This is where hiring an interior designer plays a vital role in guiding you and helping you make the most accurate decision for your space.

In this blog post, I’ll share everything you need to know to pick the design style that speaks to you the most. But, before jumping in, I suggest taking my FREE Quiz to determine which style matches your personality, and don’t forget to share your results in the comments!

Steps to Choosing Your Interior Design Style

As I mentioned in the beginning, when I help my clients select a specific design style, I follow the following 4-step process:

1. Knowing my client's lifestyle and personality
2. Identifying the feeling they want to create in their home
3. Gathering inspiration
4. Design presentation

Let’s explore each one in detail.

1. Knowing my Client's Lifestyle and Personality

Before starting a project, I sit down with the clients and get to know them more personally. I want to know where they like to eat, where they like to vacation, and which season they prefer the most, to mention a few. Through my 2-hour design consultation, I can also evaluate their needs vs. wants and the necessary steps to get to their design vision.

Then we talk about how they like to live in their home. Are they a morning person or a night owl? Do they like to cook? What’s their routine like? What do they do when they come home in the evenings or on the weekends? These questions allow me to create a design that’s personal to them.

By the way, if you’ve been feeling like your home doesn’t show who you are as a family, or you feel a disconnect in each one of the rooms, make sure to read this blog post where l share tips and guidelines to connect all the dots and make your home a place you'll love.

Once I get to know them, the next step is to explore their design vision.

2. Identifying the Feeling You Want to Create in Your Home

At that initial meeting, we also discuss the feeling my clients want in their homes. How do they want the living room or the bedroom to feel? Do they want it light, airy, moody, calm, or peaceful? That vision should reflect their personality and lifestyle, and this is where we start to put two and two together, and I’m able to determine the steps to get from our starting point to unlock that design vision and mood my clients want.

For example, in our Refined Casual Living Project, my clients were looking for a relaxed and modern home that would generate a WOW factor with simplicity while being teenager and dog friendly. We transformed five spaces on the main floor into a sanctuary by adding built-in storage, wallpaper, paint, lighting, all-new furnishings, and custom window treatments.

3. Gathering Inspiration

After getting to know the clients, we gather some inspiration. I want to see images from my clients and know why they like that photo. It might be the color scheme or just one element in that room. I’ll also share photos and ask what they like or don’t like about certain items.

Then I get to work. I’ll start with a piece as inspiration. It might be a piece of art, a rug, or any fabric I think will be a jumping-off point.

For instance, in our Raging Sea Serenity Project, my client had a lovely piece of art that a family member created for them and wanted to incorporate it into their bedroom. I used that piece of art to inspire the room, and it turned out beautifully! Look at how we connected all the elements in the room using that key piece as inspiration.

4. Design Presentation

Finally, we get to one of the most exciting parts of the process - the design presentation, where I put all my research and inspiration in one place. Once I have a general idea of the colors and style, it’s easier to make a detailed selection for the pieces that will be in the design. If there are multiple rooms in a project, the process is the same, but even better because we can create a design that will flow seamlessly throughout the home.

One of my favorite things is the look on my client’s faces when they see what I have recommended for them. They get to see the mood boards, cabinetry elevations, floor plans or furniture layouts, and samples of countertops, tile, rugs, sofa fabrics, pillows, paint colors, and more!

From then until the end, I’m there every step of the way to ensure their vision becomes reality. If you’re looking for help to create a home you will love forever, book a call with me today! Also, in the video below, get the inside scoop about my process and client’s experiences!

Share this post with your friends and family looking for help choosing their design style and pin it here for inspiration for your next project.