With so much information readily available on the internet defining design style and what is trendy, how do you sift through all the noise to find the style that defines you? Do you truly follow your individual style, or do you allow trends to creep in and alter your confidence in who you are and what your tastes are? It’s hard to silence the noise! So how do you do that? Let’s dive in.
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What even is a design style, and should you fit your style in a predetermined style box? There are about 14 design style categories including: Modern, Traditional, BOHO, Eclectic, Modern Farmhouse, Glam, Country, Industrial, Coastal, Mid-Century Modern, Minimalist, Transitional, Scandinavian, and Organic Modern. Do you really need to just select one? The simple answer is NO. Most of us are an eclectic combination of a few design styles all melded together to create an interesting story and reflection of us. You heard that right, you do not need to share the same tastes as anyone else. Being unique is a plus when it comes to designing your home.
Color plays a large role in the feeling of a design. You would think that selecting colors should be easy, right? Benjamin Moore has over 3,500 paint colors to choose from. So how do you get started? Let’s take a step back so we can understand the importance of color. Colors are vital to the human experience. Through color, we feel, communicate, and heal. It can set a mood and can determine how a room feels. When considering your design style, selecting the right colors can create the feeling you are looking to achieve.
Every room has a different purpose and selecting the colors can help communicate the desired activities to occur in each space, even when different rooms share the same style. Colors can invoke different feelings and energy levels. When designing a specific room, identify if the setting is more social or private. Color is not only visual. It can raise or lower blood pressure, influence appetite, emotions, inspire actions, and change moods. Cool colors like greens, blues, and purples have a close tie to nature which evokes a sense of calm and serenity while also increasing productivity. On the other end of the spectrum, reds, oranges, and yellows make us feel uncomfortable, or signify passion. Do not underestimate the impact that black has on a space. It is common to feel fearful to use black because there’s a misunderstanding that black makes a space feel small. But black can have a huge impact in a space because it is associated with affluence and seriousness. Some of the most successful designs incorporate black.
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Most importantly, when considering your design style, it is crucial to consider your lifestyle. Professional designers ASK QUESTIONS before we ever start designing a space. What are we looking for? We are looking to understand the client - who they are, what the dynamics are in the home, who is living in the home and who visits the home. We want to know what brings you joy, what inspires you, what makes you feel good, and what influences have impacted you in your life. Homes are where memories are created and the environment around your stories help influence those experiences and shape those memories. Bringing those concepts to the forefront can help a design have greater meaning and impact. So, if your favorite place is the beach, your design should incorporate coastal elements. If you love being in nature and going hiking, your design should incorporate natural elements including wood, plants, and stone. If you like feeling comfy in your yoga pants and flannels, your space should incorporate soft comfortable materials and curved shapes. Design style ultimately should be all about you and what makes you feel comfortable and confident.
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