I often write about the challenge of finding your own interiors style, probably because I am frequently on that journey myself. Visiting dozens of gorgeous homes in the process of writing my books has done little to quell my design inspiration overwhelm – this is my dream house. Oh wait that one is amazing too. No, no, hold on, this is the one! Occupational hazard.
Each item we acquire for our homes comes together over time to form a picture of who we are, offering a glimpse of our inner lives to anyone who enters our space. It’s no wonder some of us agonise over every detail when the act of decorating our homes is so revealing.
These are three of the ways that can help you overcome any insecurity and hone your style with confidence.
1. A moodboard can help you find your signature look
Creating a moodboard when designing a room is not a new concept. I suggest creating one, either physical or digital, to unearth your personal style too. You might think you like lots of different interiors styles, but once you begin to gather imagery, you will no doubt discover the pattern in your choices – a certain look that resonates more deeply with you than others.
Look through a variety of actual interiors, art and gardening books and magazines if possible – old school I know – to expose yourself to new ideas you might not have seen before.
2. Beat the algorithm
Many of us who use social media will find ourselves stuck in an inspiration loop – and we may not even realise it. Algorithms learn from our behaviour, so if you zoom in on an image of a pink sofa or linger on a video of an orange-tiled kitchen, you will be served more of those styles. Before you know it, your feed will lead you to believe that the world is filled with pink sofas and orange tiled kitchens and you start to think maybe you’d like one too. Be more intentional with your scrolling and seek out accounts that really appeal to you, while deleting those that no longer resonate.
3. Decorate slowly
Personal style isn’t something you create overnight. It emerges over the years through lived experience, trial and error, a process of accumulating and layering, and sometimes also shedding old versions of ourselves. Resist the urge to rush. Accept that it’s an ongoing process and that the discovery is actually the joyful part. Fifteen-second videos on social media will lead you to believe that things happen fast, but the reality is usually much slower, messier and rarely set to upbeat music.
• See more from Emily on Instagram (@lifeunstyled) or on her website, emilyhensonstudio.com.
