I’ve been an interior designer for over 10 years, and I’m so excited to share some tips about creating a home that truly feels like you.
When I first started in this industry, I worked with clients who had beautiful homes that somehow felt… empty. Not physically empty, but missing that special something that makes a house feel like someone’s personal sanctuary.
I’ve learned that a home should tell your story. It should welcome you at the end of a long day and make your guests say, “This place is so YOU!” So let’s get into how you can create that kind of space for yourself.
Understanding Your Style
Let me guess – you’ve flipped through magazines, scrolled through Pinterest, and watched countless home makeover shows, but you still can’t put your finger on exactly what your style is. Don’t worry! This happens to almost everyone.
When I was decorating my first apartment, I bought everything that caught my eye without thinking about how it would all work together. The result? A mishmash that gave me a headache rather than peace.
Start by asking yourself some simple questions:
- What colors make you happy?
- Do you prefer clean lines or cozy curves?
- Are you drawn to vintage pieces or modern designs?
- What three words would describe your ideal space?
Take notes on spaces that make you feel good. Maybe it’s a hotel lobby, a friend’s living room, or a cafe where you love spending time. Notice what elements you’re responding to.
Try this little exercise: Create a “yes/no” pile when looking at home images. Don’t overthink it – just go with your gut reaction. After sorting through about 20 pictures, look at your “yes” pile. You’ll probably notice patterns that reveal your true style preferences.
Incorporating Personal Items
Your home should never look like a furniture showroom. Those perfectly styled catalog rooms? They’re pretty but often feel cold because they lack personal history.
During a project for a family in San Francisco, the husband kept apologizing for his “ugly” collection of vintage cameras. I ended up displaying them on a simple wall shelf, and that became everyone’s favorite part of their living room!
According to a survey by Houzz, 76% of homeowners say that displaying personal collections brings them joy daily.
Look around for items that tell your story:
- Travel souvenirs (not just the gift shop magnets!)
- Family heirlooms, even the slightly weird ones
- Photos, but try to display them in creative ways
- Books that have shaped your thinking
- Handmade items, whether by you or artisans you admire
I have my grandmother’s old sewing scissors displayed in my office. They’re not fancy or valuable, but every time I see them, I remember watching her work. That’s worth more than any expensive decor item I could buy.
Mixing and Matching Furniture and Decor
The most interesting homes I’ve seen during my career aren’t filled with matching furniture sets. They evolve over time, with pieces that have stories behind them.
I worked with a client who kept apologizing for having “mismatched” dining chairs. We ended up painting them all the same color, and now her dining room has so much more character than if we’d bought a matching set!
Some tips for successful mixing:
- Pick a cohesive color palette to tie different pieces together
- Vary textures but keep some consistency
- Balance old and new—maybe a vintage coffee table with a contemporary sofa
- Trust your eye—if something feels right to you, it probably is
And please don’t feel pressured to replace everything at once. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that spaces that evolved over time felt more authentic and comforting to both residents and visitors than instantly decorated rooms.
Creating a Cozy Atmosphere
I remember visiting a stunning million-dollar home with perfect furniture but not a single throw blanket or soft surface. It was gorgeous but felt more like a museum than a home. No one wanted to actually sit down!
Coziness isn’t about spending money. It’s about creating spaces that invite people to relax.
Some simple ways to add coziness:
- Layer different lighting sources instead of relying on overhead lights
- Add soft textiles like pillows, throws, and rugs
- Create conversation areas where people naturally want to gather
- Use candles or essential oil diffusers for gentle scent
- Make sure you have comfortable places to put drinks down
I once had a client who invested in an expensive sofa but skimped on lighting. We added three lamps for less than $200 total, and it completely transformed how the room felt at night.
Choosing Color and Pattern
Color is personal. I can’t tell you how many times clients have apologized for loving colors that aren’t currently “on trend.” But trends change every season! Your feelings about a color probably won’t.
In 2013, I painted my bedroom a deep teal that my contractor called “risky.” Ten years later, I still love it because it makes me happy every morning when I wake up.
When selecting colors:
- Start with smaller items if you’re nervous about committing
- Consider how colors make you feel, not just how they look
- Test paint colors at different times of day before committing
- Remember that neutrals are great foundations but don’t be afraid to add pops of color
As for patterns, they add personality and interest. Mix scale (large, medium, small) rather than matching patterns exactly. A room with some pattern variation feels more collected and personal than one where everything coordinates perfectly.
Adding Plants and Fresh Flowers
I killed so many plants when I first started gardening inside. So many! But I kept trying because nothing brings life to a room like something that’s actually alive.
If you’re a plant killer like I was, start with nearly indestructible varieties like snake plants, pothos, or ZZ plants. Even fake plants have gotten amazingly realistic (just dust them occasionally!).
Fresh flowers are my weekly treat to myself. Even a $5 bunch from the grocery store, separated into small bud vases throughout the house, makes everything feel special.
According to a study from the University of North Florida, living with plants can reduce stress levels by up to 40%. And they literally clean your air! NASA research shows that many common houseplants remove toxins from indoor environments.
Cleaning and Organizing Regularly
I’m not naturally tidy. My design studio is often a creative mess. But I’ve learned that even beautiful spaces feel chaotic when they’re cluttered. Self-storage supports decluttering and can help maintain a minimalist aesthetic.
You can store sentimental and seasonal items to keep your living areas free of excess, ensuring your space is reflective of a clean, simple, and intentional lifestyle.
The trick isn’t becoming a different person—it’s creating systems that work with your natural habits.
Some practical organization tips:
- Have plenty of attractive storage options within arm’s reach
- Do regular “editing” of your possessions
- Create drop zones near entrances for keys, mail, etc.
- Develop simple cleaning routines you can stick with
I put a pretty bowl by my front door because I always dropped my keys there anyway. Working with your habits is easier than fighting them!
Upgrading Your Home With Smart and Stylish Features
A little modernity goes a long way in transforming your home. Updates like smart lighting, voice-activated devices, and energy-efficient appliances can make your home more functional and stylish.
You can customize your home’s brightness and color with a smart lighting system, creating the perfect ambiance for any occasion. Whether you want a cozy, warm glow for relaxation or bright white lights for work, smart bulbs give you full control through voice commands or mobile apps.
You can make your bathroom super luxurious and modern with a digital shower system and smart toilet features like automatic opening and closing and a built-in bidet. Add an LED mirror that has adjustable color temperatures to get fancy.
Add voice-activated devices throughout your home for another layer of convenience. You’ll have hands-free control over various home functions, such as adjusting the thermostat, locking doors, or playing music.
New, energy-efficient appliances make sure you’re contributing to a healthy planet when making modern updates. They also lead to significant cost savings over time. High-quality, energy-efficient refrigerators, dishwashers, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems use less power while maintaining optimal performance.
Whether you choose to buy new ones or update your existing ones, be sure to do all you can to extend the life of your appliances. For example, don’t overload your washer and dryer. Be sure to clean refrigerator gaskets. Reduce hard water build-up in your dishwasher by installing a water softener. This will keep modern appliances running at peak performance
Conclusion
Your home should make you smile when you walk through the door. It should feel like a place where you can truly be yourself.
Remember that creating a personal space takes time. The most meaningful homes aren’t decorated in a weekend—they evolve as you do. So start somewhere, trust your instincts, and keep making small changes that bring you joy.
What’s one small thing you could do this week to make your home feel more like you? Maybe it’s displaying a treasured item, adding a plant, or painting a wall that color you’ve always loved. Whatever it is, I’d love to hear about it!
