Your Decorating Style Defined

Once you’ve determined your style of decorating (see What’s Your Decorating Personality?), find design inspiration―and expert tips―here.

Name Your Decorating Style

Articulating your design style is the key to creating a room that really reflects it. If this sounds esoteric, have no fear: You can easily identify the look you crave. Begin by either taking a quick quiz or, for a more in-depth examination, following the steps below, recommended by interior-design expert Carrie McCarthy (stylestatement.com). Then have a look at examples of four home decorating styles we’ve identified, complete with product picks and shopping sources.

1. Look at your furniture. With a pad in hand, walk from room to room and make two truthful lists: “Love It” and “Wish I Could Replace It.” Catalog everything you can, including art―and be honest. “It’s all based on how things make you feel,” says McCarthy.

2. Gather items you cherish. Check the top of your dresser, your mantel, your bookshelves, then pull special clothes from your closet. “Focus on the items that make you feel beautiful and joyful,” says McCarthy.

3. Think about places you love and why you love them. “Picture your dream home, if you could live anywhere,” says McCarthy. Then think outside of home: “If you were invited to the Oscars, what would you wear?” This moves you beyond the limitations of your lifestyle and budget and into a new realm of creativity.

4. Look for common threads―design, colors, shapes, materials, vibe―among the things you treasure. See which of the styles pictured here your picks most jibe with. You may find yourself attracted to a blend of styles rather than just one; as you delve into the following rooms, note which features appeal to you. This will help you translate your taste into smart decorating choices.