How to Understand YOUR Unique Style
How to Understand YOUR Unique Style
Early in my career, and in the days when I was designing my very own living spaces for the first time, the resources and “readily available” inspiration was, well, pretty limited. Brick-and-mortar design stores were much more prevalent in those days, but aside from that, magazines and movies were pretty much all we had to rely on!
Fast forward to today’s world - places/ways to get inspired are ABOUNDING. From social media to television shows, to influencers, to designer-specific lines at some of our favorite stores (shoutout to you, Target ❤️), it seems like everywhere you look there’s a different “guide” or “design line”.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty incredible that there’s so much out there. But this abundance can also lead to a bit of confusion…and even an “identity crisis’ when it comes to understanding what exactly your unique style is.
I’m speaking to myself here because I’m the girl who loves that boho rattan basket to hold all of my fuzzy blankets…and also that antique armoire…and also that mid-century modern light fixture. In other words, I easily get caught up in loving everything!
With all of the inspiration out there, it can be hard to clearly understand what YOUR unique style is, and how to implement that style when decorating or styling your space.
Below are a few tips that I’ve found helpful when it comes to understanding your unique style.
And spoiler alert: it doesn’t mean you have to permanently choose just one style (yay)!
The first tip is to try something new if you’re not 100% sure about it. For example, if you’ve been consistently eying those stunning (but out of budget) counter-height stools for your new kitchen island, but you’re not quiiiite sure if you’ll enjoy the style long-term, search for a dupe or similar item and give it a try in your space for at least a few months! This will help you understand if you REALLY like the general look, or if it was more of a fad in your mind.
Trust me, there are so many dupes and cost-effective options out there that are great replacements for higher investment items. No one’s saying you can’t invest in the “real” thing later…but giving it a try in your space first will help you understand if it’s worth it. Plus, if you do decide to invest after giving it a try, Facebook Marketplace is a great resource to sell the dupes!
Another wonderful option here is borrowing something from a friend! If they have a piece of art you love, ask to hang it in your space for a week or two. I’m sure they’d be happy to exchange for a dinner out or bottle of wine.
Another important thing to do is to understand and define the purpose of your space. The truth is, those “beautifully aesthetic” living rooms you see on Instagram are, beautiful, but are they really a reflection of your personality and lifestyle?
I was recently chatting with a friend who is designing a living area in a home she plans to live in for a year and then move out and rent to mid-term renters (like travel nurses and traveling professionals). She also has two dogs and a baby! She confessed the desire to invest in a stunning, mostly white area rug for this space because she loves the clean and bright look of whites and neutrals in a space. But, as you might imagine, a white rug in her specific scenario is probably not the best idea. Understanding the purpose of this space gave my friend clarity on where/how she can incorporate the “lighter” side of the aesthetic she likes, while also making choices that support the purpose of the space and her needs.
So maybe you opt for the discounted rug, just in case you need to replace it after a year. Or perhaps you choose to put that high-end side table in the other (less trafficked) room so you don’t have to constantly watch for coaster usage. And maybe you put that gorgeous (but pretty darn uncomfortable) velvet loveseat in the guest room as an accent piece, so that you can have a couch you actually want to sit on in your main area. You see, there are always ways to test out/include things you love, but making sure they align with your space from a purpose perspective will ensure that you love your selections for a long time to come.
Alright, here comes my final tip…and I bet it’s one you’ve been expecting! Create Pinterest boards to help you organize and visualize things you like. I have mentioned how online platforms (like Pinterest) can create some confusion, but when used well, they can be HUGELY beneficial. Pinterest can also provide great direction, meaning if you click on one Pin of something you like, you’ll have the option to view several other pins that are similar.
My biggest piece of advice when it comes to using Pinterest to clearly define your unique style is to stay organized.
Here’s what I mean: Instead of just having one board titled “New House”, create multiple boards for things like specific rooms, artwork, flooring, etc! Pinning on various boards like this will help you clarify what you like most for each category first, and THEN you can place your top selections onto a new board to see how they all fit together. Pinterest is not only a great place to get ideas, but you can find a ton of great shopping guides, tips (like what size rug to buy for your space), and so much more.
Final *BONUS* Insider Tip: Stop comparing your life and your space to those you see on IG. There’s a difference between inspiration and comparison, and can I let you in on a little secret? Even those perfectly designed and oh-so-orderly spaces you see on your favorite influencer’s feed proobbbbbably have a huge pile of laundry or mismatched toys on the other side of the camera.
Even if your space has a “little bit of everything”, consider it to be your unique, “collected” style! Over time, your selections will “mature” - aka you’ll gain more and more clarity on what actually fits and what doesn’t.
At the end of the day, your space is YOUR space, and while it’s fun to build a design that’s unique to you, remember that what matters most is how you FEEL in the spaces you create!
Designing a new space? Looking for more design tips and inspiration? Be sure to follow along and say hi on Instagram! @lucysinspired