Forget Labels—Here’s How to Define Your Own Design Style
Do you feel like you’re supposed to pick a design style, like choosing a personality type on a BuzzFeed quiz?
"Am I modern? Am I boho? What if I like a little bit of everything?"
Welcome to the frustrating reality of trying to fit yourself into a box.
Truth is—most homes that actually feel good aren’t perfectly one style. They’re layered, personal, and a little rebellious.
So instead of forcing yourself to pick one aesthetic like it’s a tattoo you’ll have forever, let’s shift the focus.
Here’s how to stop overthinking and start designing a home that actually feels like you.
Image | Unsplash
Why Design Labels Are Overrated
The world of interior design loves to categorize. Pinterest boards, HGTV makeovers, magazine spreads—everything is neatly labeled:
Mid-Century Modern
Contemporary
Industrial
Traditional
Boho Eclectic with a Touch of Japandi (because why not?)
And while these categories can be useful, they also make people second-guess their instincts.
You might find yourself thinking:
“I love vintage wood furniture, but I also love sleek, minimal spaces… am I doing this wrong?”
“I want a cozy, layered look, but I also love modern elements—what style is that?”
“I love this Pinterest image, but does it fit with the style I already have?”
Here’s the truth: Your home doesn’t need a label.
Image | Decorilla
The Difference Between a Design Style & a Signature Style
Interior Design Styles → Predefined aesthetics with rules & history.
Signature Style → YOUR personal mix of what feels good to you.
Interior design styles are like fashion trends—they give you ideas, structure, and inspiration. But your signature style? That’s something entirely yours.
Think about it:
Would you wear head-to-toe outfits straight off the runway every day? Probably not. You’d mix different pieces to create something uniquely you.
Your home should work the same way.
Maybe you love the clean lines of contemporary spaces but also want the warmth of rustic textures and unexpected pops of color.
That’s your signature.
So let’s talk about how to stop overthinking and start trusting your instincts.
Image | Houzz
How to Define Your Own Style (Without Stressing About It)
If you’re feeling stuck, don’t worry—I got you. Here’s a better way to figure this out:
Image | Unsplash
Pay Attention to What Feels Good (Not Just What Looks Good)
Next time you walk into a space you love, ask yourself:
Is it the textures? A mix of soft linen and worn leather?
The color palette? Earthy, moody, or light and airy?
The overall vibe? Does it feel lived-in? Open? Intimate?
Forget about whether it fits into a category—focus on how it makes you feel.
02. Gather Visual Clues (Without Falling Into a Pinterest Hole)
Instead of mindlessly saving pretty pictures, start a different kind of mood board.
Save real spaces you’d actually live in (not just ones that look good in photos).
Collect textures, materials, and color palettes you’re drawn to.
Include personal objects that tell your story—heirlooms, vintage finds, artwork.
If you start seeing patterns—certain colors, materials, or moods showing up again and again—that’s your style talking to you.
3. Experiment in Small Ways
You don’t need to renovate your whole house to figure out your design style.
Instead:
Try styling a single shelf or corner using pieces that resonate with you.
Swap out small elements (like throw pillows, rugs, or lighting) to test what feels right.
Trust your instincts. If it makes you feel at home, it works.
(And if it doesn’t? No big deal. Design isn’t permanent. You can always tweak things as you go.)
Image | Unsplash
How to Mix Styles Without Feeling Like You’re Creating a Mess
So you’re ready to start designing.
But now you’re wondering—how do you mix different aesthetics without it looking chaotic?
Here’s a simple trick:
Start with a neutral foundation. Keep your walls, larger furniture pieces, and flooring in a neutral color or natural material.
Blend textures, not just styles. If you mix industrial and boho, bring in both rough (brick, metal) and soft (woven, natural fibers) textures.
Create cohesion with color. Even if your pieces come from different styles, repeating a color throughout the space will tie everything together.
Let your personality guide the finishing touches. Add personal items—art, vintage finds, handmade objects—that make the space feel like yours.
Image | The Spruce
Common Myths About Mixing Styles (Let’s Bust Them)
Myth #1: If you mix styles, your home will look chaotic.
Nope! As long as you create visual balance with colors, textures, and spacing, mixed styles can feel intentional and layered, not messy.Myth #2: You have to commit to one style.
Says who? The most interesting homes blend styles to create something completely unique.Myth #3: Mixing new and vintage pieces doesn’t work.
Actually, vintage + modern is one of the easiest ways to create depth and personality. The contrast makes each piece stand out more.
Image | Gathered
Forget What’s “Right.” Focus on What’s You.
At the end of the day, great design isn’t about fitting into a box—it’s about creating a space that feels like home in the truest sense.
Not a staged, Instagram-ready, perfectly color-coordinated showroom. Not a copy-paste version of what’s trending. But a home that knows you, sees you, and holds you—on the best days, the worst days, and every moment in between.
Image | Veranda
Because your home isn’t just where you live—it’s where you laugh until your stomach hurts, collapse after a long day, dream up your next adventure, and find the kind of comfort that can’t be bought.
So if you’ve been stressing over whether you’re more Minimalist Zen or Maximalist Chaos, if you’ve spent too many hours spiraling through Pinterest boards wondering if you’re doing it right—take a deep breath.
You don’t need permission.
You don’t need a design label.
You don’t need to follow someone else’s playbook.
Image | Labellavie
What you do need? To trust yourself.
Mix styles. Because your personality isn’t one-note—your home shouldn’t be either.
Break rules. Because the best homes have soul, not strict guidelines.
Trust your gut. Because no designer, influencer, or expert knows what feels right to you better than you do.
Image | Pinterest
Let your home be your story. The colors you love, the pieces that bring back memories, the textures that make you exhale when you walk through the door.
Image | Pufikhomes
Because at the end of the day, your home should feel like the safest, truest reflection of you.
Now tell me—what’s one thing in your home that just feels like you? Maybe it’s a thrifted chair that’s been with you for years, a piece of art that makes your heart race, or a cozy corner where life slows down.
Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear.
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