When faced with pictures of houses in magazines or invited over to someone’s home, most people have an opinion about the style of the design. But when prompted to make decisions about the design of their own home, it can be difficult to get started. Working with a professional interior designer who values communication is key to ensuring that you end up with something that truly fits your vision. However, it can be helpful to try and get a feel for your personal preferences first.
When you are considering your design style, what’s available can seem overwhelming. Here are a few ways to narrow down options to fit your particular style so that you and your designer are on the same page.
Learn the Language of Design
Familiarize yourself with design keywords, like minimalist vs. maximalist, boho vs. industrial, and even house architecture, like craftsmen vs. colonial or Tudor vs. Victorian. When you understand your home’s architectural style, it’s easier to understand which designs can work for or against it. Knowing the lingo can ensure you and your designer are speaking the same language. To fully embrace the designer world, consider some podcasts hosted by designers. These offer both insight into the words a designer uses as well as ideas for your own home’s aesthetic. Also, learning language of design is the first step to better communication with your designer.
Words are crucial, but ensure you are on the same page with your designer by sharing images of what you see as boho or minimalist. The technical terms can be vastly different than what we find doing research.
Look at Existing Designs for Inspiration
From Architectural Digest to Better Homes & Gardens, there are a plethora of designing magazines to inspire you. Tailor you search to your home’s architecture to narrow down these options. For instance, Modern Farmhouse Style is a magazine perfect for the updated Farmhouse. It doesn’t mean the ideas can’t be inspirational for a bungalow’s design, but it can help pinpoint your style by starting with designs that work with your home rather than counter to it.
You don’t have to end your search there, however. Pinterest is full of ideas, and with so many images, you are sure to find a similar look to what you have as well as to what you are trying to achieve. If you still aren’t sure what inspires you, look outside of home design. From fashion to modern art, what draws the eye often shares elements. A walk through a museum or unique jewelry store can offer insight into what you love. Snap pics when it’s appropriate, and let your designer know which pieces are special to you.
Home In on What You Love
Try to focus on specific elements within your favorite designs that make them particularly attractive to you. You may not know how to pull a room together, but you know what you like. Find the small things that draw your attention, then work with your designer to let those types of pieces be what inspire the room’s design.
If you don’t have specific elements in mind, talk with your designer about what you do love – color combinations or textures that you like in clothing styles can even be the start to a great room design.
Leverage What Already Works
Take stock of the things you already own and examine your favorites. What do you like about them? The best design works with what you have, and the best designers know how to make your favorite pieces shine. Communicate with your designer about what elements of a room you love and want to be incorporated in the new design. It can be as small as a throw pillow or as encompassing as an oriental rug, but designing with those pieces in mind can help you find the right look.
If you are ready to start from scratch, you can still explain what you love about an element – even if you don’t want to use it in the design plan. The smallest of ideas can be seeds for an updated look.
Consider What’s Next
When you envision your dream home, what kind of life do you see yourself leading? What kind of function do you want your space to have? What will your family life be like?
Though you don’t have to know the answers to these questions to design your space, it can help with the practical function of design. For instance, if you know you will have young ones, certain designs can help your home stay functional despite a little chaos. A room created just for playtime that could eventually be a homework room might be important. However, knowing the space will be specifically for entertaining can make a huge difference in the types of materials and elements a designer might consider.
Discover What Appeals to Your Sense of Style
Though a designer will know what design elements can work best in a room, knowing your particular style and what attracts your eye is just as important. However, with the design options available, planning can be overwhelming. Knowing what you like is the first step. Knowing how to describe what you like means you and your interior design can speak the same language to achieve just the look you want.
If you’re still overwhelmed with options, don’t worry. An interior decorator can help narrow down the few design styles that speak to your preferences the most.
When envisioning a dream home, it should include all the elements of life that bring us happiness, comfortability, and joy. A home is just a small snapshot of what we cherish and the things that bring us joy. But it’s also a snapshot of our lives, and we want it to look stylish and updated. We can help ensure your home’s design is more than functional but beautiful as well. For all your interior design needs, contact us at CRT Studio by giving Rob Turner a call or sending an email to rob@crtstudio.com today.
Sources:
https://archive.curbed.com/2020/2/20/21070758/whats-my-interior-design-style
https://www.homedit.com/guide-identifying-home-decor-style/
https://decorinteriorsus.com/blog/resources/style-glossary/