Knowing your style is the first step to planning and creating a cohesive space you’ll love to be in. The process is also an illuminating one, requiring you to think about what inspires you creatively – something we rarely get time to focus on. So why is this important?

You don’t have to look through lots of shops to find things that work, because you get to know the stores and suppliers that cater to you
You feel comfortable and relaxed in your home because it reflects you
You stop buying things to try and make the house feel right – because it already does!
You save money as you make less mistakes when buying items
You can use your style as a creative pursuit to inspire you through the year

Here are 6 ways to start:

Take a house tour

Walk around your house like you’re visiting an open home – taking photos to look at afterwards can help. Assess your current style, notice the colours you use, look for areas that you love and hone in on those you don’t. Look at your favourite pieces of furniture, art and fashion (plus consider your dream ones). There might be a natural style or colour scheme in a treasured antique rug, a statement painting, or a favourite dress. Sometimes you can pull an entire colour palette from one piece — often there will be a neutral, a main colour and an accent colour, which is a perfect combo for interiors! Thinking about your favourite places also helps — that restaurant fitout or travel destination you love may be just the inspiration you need for your own interior. Write everything you see and think down (swear words are totally acceptable). And remember to go easy on yourself — be thankful and proud of what you have, the space you live in and what you have achieved to be there, even if it could do with some improvements!

Factor in function

Are you a creative introvert or a fun-loving extrovert? What activities take place in your home and how do you want it to make people feel? Is it currently a busy social space that needs to feel more restful, or a cool and quiet space that needs uplifting? Consider how you can use an interior style to help achieve a certain mood or mindset for yourself and those that live there.

Make a moodboard

Analyze your house tour to identify key elements that consistently stand out. Is it a specific colour palette, a preferred furniture style, or a recurring pattern? Defining these key elements will guide you in making intentional design choices. Next up you need to create a collection of imagery that captures your concept and vision. You can create your own mood board, and include images, words, swatches, colours, fonts and materials that show the style you want to achieve. Not only does a moodboard help define a style, it’s also a handy tool you can give to stores and trades during shopping trips or projects to help them understand the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve.

Give your style a name

Give the style a name and include it on your moodboard – mine is Parisian Chic (a fusion of classic and contemporary design). Yours could be Urban Organic, Palm Springs Resort, Beachy Bohemian, Farmhouse Chic or Coastal Retreat. Giving something a name brings it to life, makes a statement about the overall look you’re going for and helps keep everyone involved in any future work accountable to this style.

TIP Don't be afraid to experiment with different styles – mine is a combination of European and Coastal. Mix and match elements from various design aesthetics to create a unique look that’s personal to you.

Write a list of keywords

Some of my keywords are white, dusky pastels, wall panelling, statement lighting, herringbone floors, photographic prints, luxe fabrics, metallics, clean lines, natural stone. These keywords help when you’re online, browsing or shopping, and help reinforce what you love about the style.

Start applying your style

Do an instant declutter of things that don’t fit with your vision, and start taking your mood board and list with you when you shop. If you’re planning a project this exercise is a great starting point before the daily decision fatigue starts hitting. If there are no projects in the pipeline then make small changes as you are able – applying your style could take years and that’s fine.

Honing your interior design style is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with the process, allow your style to evolve, experiment, and embrace the enjoyment of creating a space that feels YOU.