What’s Your Interior Design Style? Ask These Questions to Identify Your Aesthetic

Here’s how to figure out your interior design style once and for all. Image: helsingHouse Fastighetsmäklare

Before you can start any design project, you need to have some sort of inspiration in mind. If you’re fully aware of which design styles you’re consistently drawn to, finding a muse should be fairly easy. If not, though, it can be hard to even figure out where to start. In that case, the question becomes: How do you go about finding your interior design style?

We’re no strangers to defining a personal aesthetic. Below you’ll find a few questions. Ask yourself each one, in turn, and look over each of the corresponding options. You’ll likely find some overlap in your answers. At the end, research whichever style catches your eye most often and see how you feel. We bet you’ll find a look that resonates with you.

Are you more modern or traditional? Image: Forsite Studio

Past or present?

If you’re all about the PAST, you may want to consider:

• Contemporary: Full of sleek lines and ’60s flair, contemporary design will make you feel like you’ve landed on the set of Mad Men.
• French country: French country design is full of romance. Its elegantly curved furniture and opulent décor can remind you a palace.
• Traditional: Traditional design is the epitome of “old world.” Classic lines, comfortable furniture and orderly lines reign supreme.

If you’d rather appreciate the PRESENT, you may feel drawn to:

• Modern: As the name suggests, ultra-clean lines and minimalism are the keys to today’s top design trends.
• Scandinavian: Using warm woods and area rugs, Scandinavian design is a blend of modern and rustic.
• Eclectic: Defined by its rejection of traditional conventions, eclectic design offers a chance to create your own casual aesthetic.

Would you rather have lots of color or plenty of neutral shades? Image: Lucy and Company

Full of color or pleasantly neutral?

If you’re into bright, bold COLORS, you might be drawn to:

• Contemporary: Contemporary design is full of bold, saturated colors like burnt orange, mustard yellow and navy blue.
• Eclectic: The create-your-own aspect of eclectic design means you can basically use whichever mix of colors catches your eye.
• Traditional: Traditional design is all about invoking richness. It involves a lot of deep, dark colors like reds, blues and greens.

If you rely on NEUTRALS, you may prefer:

• Modern: Modern looks usually are built around monochromatic shades.
• Scandinavian: The base of a Scandinavian color palette is based on whites and grays. Sometimes there are pops of subtle colors like pink and blue.
• Coastal: Stark whites and sandy tans are the backbones of coastal style. As you might guess, blue is the dominant accent color.

Would you rather have minimalism or opulence? Image: Anastacia Schular

Less is more or more is more?

If you believe LESS IS MORE, you might enjoy:

• Contemporary: Contemporary spaces have a clean feel to them. There tend to be few accessories, most of which are function forward.
• Modern: Modern designs are all about minimalism and including plenty of negative space.
• Scandinavian: Scandinavians believe in a concept called hygge, part of which centers around being comfortable without going over the top.

If you’re a fan of a MORE IS MORE philosophy, check out:

• Eclectic: When putting together an eclectic design, it’s important to balance the room with plenty of unique accessories.
• Traditional: Traditional looks are all about creating a sense of coziness. These rooms have plenty of accessories, usually heirlooms or pieces with history.
• French country French country styles are defined by opulence. Gold and embroidery are common.

Do you prefer a more urban or rustic look? Image: Tate Interiors

City or country?

If you feel at home in the CITY, you’ll prefer:

• Modern: Cities are hubs for modern design and fresh ideas.
• Contemporary: Contemporary design may be from the past, but it was very modern for its day. It has managed to stand the test of time without feeling out of date.
• Scandinavian: Scandinavian looks are cousins to modern design. They follow the same principles with a European twist.

If you’d rather be in the COUNTRY, you may feel drawn to:

• Rustic: As the name suggests, this style is built around the idea of living in a cabin in the woods.
• Coastal: Though it may not be woodsy, coastal styles are a good choice for those who enjoy spending time at the beach.
• French country: It’s in the name. French country styles are a variation on European rustic.

Use these tips to learn your interior design style. Image: Benjamin Moore

Finding your interior design style for the first time can be tough. After all, how do you even know where to start, much less how to put an entire room together? You don’t have to go through this process alone. Let the questions above provide you with a direction for finding your design inspiration.

Do you know what your personal interior design style is? How did you go about finding it in the first place? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

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