Hot Take: Our Homes Aren't “Weird Enough”—Here's How Designers Want to Fix That

4 min read

Pictured Above: A joyful Parisian apartment, designed by L'Atelier HA.

In an era dominated by millennial gray palettes, mass-produced furniture, and a revolving door of design trends, many of us have forgotten how to create homes that genuinely reflect who we are. We tuck away our clutter, carefully edit our collections, and tone down our personal tastes. In the pursuit of flawless, social media–ready interiors—spaces so polished they often seem untouched—we lose sight of what a home is meant to do: tell the story of the people who live there.

“A home isn’t meant to please everyone; it should express the people who live there,” Adele Nourry and Hugo Vince, the design duo behind L'Atelier HA, say. While they won’t deny that some people pull off pared-down, minimalist spaces beautifully, they acknowledge that many interiors have become too tame, too common. Interior design content creator Bergen Flom echoes this sentiment, noting that “not enough people take the time to figure out their unique perspective and translate it into their homes.” Most people’s style, she says, is actually “a messy mix of references.” Stick to one style, and sure, it might look nice—but it won’t feel meaningful or authentic.

Nourry and Vince attribute this sameness to a fear of making mistakes or committing to bold choices. Drawing on their experience designing restaurants and hotels—where a strong identity is essential—they encourage clients to move beyond safe, neutral design decisions and embrace individuality. Flom shares the same philosophy, urging people to explore what genuinely resonates with them rather than defaulting to what feels universally acceptable.

The cost of ignoring your quirks isn’t just aesthetic; it’s emotional. “Living in a space without surprise is like trapping yourself in a visual routine that dulls the imagination,” Nourry and Vince say. “Giving interiors that little spark of eccentricity fuels energy and creativity.”

So how can you embrace your unique style while still creating a space that functions well and feels beautiful to you? These designers offer several strategies. From pairing unexpected materials to rethinking how you shop and decorate, here’s how to create a home that confidently celebrates your individuality.

Break the Rules

In this home for her mother, interior designer Galeana Younger highlights bold colors and unique collections to create a vibrant personality-packed casita.

Rules are made to be broken, especially in design. Forget the “safe” formulas you've heard about matching sets, accent walls, or neutral palettes. L'Atelier HA thrives on rewriting the playbook. “The number one rule to break is simply not being afraid and daring to try,” says the pair. To some, that may mean designing a bedroom retreat that’s energetic versus calming. To others, it might manifest as carpet on the ceiling (yes, the ceiling). The philosophy? If it feels a little “off,” you’re probably onto something. The most memorable spaces often come from a bit of rule-breaking.

Cohesion Doesn’t Have to Mean Uniformity

"This project reflects a desire to embrace strong choices, shift the codes, and give the space a singular identity," says L

Awkward corners, odd layouts, too-small rooms—these are all invitations, not limitations. Flom once turned a tiny, forgotten corner into a dining nook with banquette seating. "Most small apartments don’t have banquette seating, but I had a dream and a weird corner," she recalls. "Now, it’s my favorite charming moment in my space—functional and unexpected."

L'Atelier HA took an acoustic nightmare—i.e., a soaring but echo-filled ceiling in a Parisian restaurant—and turned it into a showpiece by transforming the wood weave they needed to absorb the sound into a massive, sunset-painted focal point. Constraints can push you to get weird, resourceful, and deeply personal—and those results are often what make a space unforgettable.

Stop Overthinking

When designer Heather Peterson was working on her own Minneapolis home, quirk and funk were the goal posts of what turned out to be a very successful creative design experiment.

If you’ve ever spent three hours debating between two shades of beige, this one’s for you. Overthinking is the fastest way to drain all the joy (and all the personality) out of your home. Fear of making the "wrong" choice keeps people stuck in neutral palettes and catalog-perfect spaces that feel more like showrooms than homes. If you’re paralyzed by indecision, consider this your permission slip to just go for it. "Stop overthinking and just start experimenting," says Flom. "Personality comes from trial and error."

The duo at L'Atelier HA agrees that hesitation is the enemy of character. "Many people hold back out of fear," they note again. "But later they regret not committing to a bold idea." Their projects often start with one strong, audacious piece—an anchor that gives the whole space its pulse. Once you commit, the rest unfolds naturally. Play, test, swap, repeat; this is how your space becomes you.

Find Your Gateway Product (or Room)

When designer Nicole Dohmen of Atelier ND Interior saw these tiles in a ’60s magazine, she knew she wanted to use them in a project. They make a big impact in the bathroom of this home in Amsterdam.

Sometimes all it takes is one piece, one wall, or one room to spark confidence in your design style. You can start small, like with an accent wall—but L'Atelier HA begs you not to just paint it a solid color. Cover it in a fabric wallcovering, add some relief surfaces, or even up the shine with a high-gloss lacquer finish. If you want a little more room to play, Flom recommends starting with a bathroom, claiming it is an ideal playground for pattern, color, or art. "You can literally shut the door if you hate it," she explains.

Some products can also instantly add joy or individuality to your space. “These objects act like catalysts,” Nourry and Vince say. For them, rugs are an accessible, effective gateway piece to instantly infuse personality into a room. Oh, and don’t underestimate the power of personal objects, like photos or mementos. Play around with different frames and mats to add character. As Flom puts it, “if a piece makes you feel something, that’s a good sign.”

Slow Down

In this New York City apartment, designer Kathleen Walsh created a scheme centered on her clients

Designing a home isn’t a race; it’s a layering process. "I always encourage others (and myself!) to slow down during the design process," says Flom. "A layered home takes time, and I promise you, your effort will show." L'Atelier HA echoes this, noting that rushing leads to safe, surface-level choices. A home that feels soulful takes time, memory, and evolution. Collect, experiment, and let your style unfold. When making purchases for your home, don’t buy out of desperation. When you purchase with passion and listen to your gut feelings, you’ll find you’ve surrounded yourself with pieces that spark joy.

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