Your space should feel like you — but that’s harder than it sounds.
A lot of people start designing with Pinterest boards, Instagram saves, or spontaneous weekend store runs, only to realize they don’t actually know their own interior design style. And that’s completely normal. Most of us don’t fit neatly into labels like modern farmhouse or coastal boho. And even when we do, it’s often something more personal and unexpected — a mix of influences that doesn’t quite fit a predefined box.
The truth is, most people don’t design in rigid categories (we know a thing or two about this). We borrow from multiple styles, blending pieces that feel right together in a way that reflects how we actually live.
What people do tend to know is how they want a room to feel. Calm and grounding. Bright and energizing. Cozy for evenings in. Light and open for slow mornings with coffee. That emotional response matters far more than any style label — and it’s the real north star of successful interior design.
One of the easiest ways to uncover your personal style is to look at spaces you’ve been drawn to in real life. Maybe it’s a hotel lobby you couldn’t stop photographing, a restaurant that felt perfectly balanced and welcoming, or a friend’s living room that made you want to linger a little longer. Ask yourself: what do those spaces have in common? Is it a soft, neutral color palette — or something bold and expressive? Natural textures that invite you to touch them? Furniture arranged in a way that encourages conversation and comfort? Start there.
Once you’ve identified a few emotional anchors — colors, moods, layouts, or materials that resonate — you can begin testing them in your own space. This is where many people get stuck, because imagining how ideas translate into a real room is difficult without visual support. Bringing ideas to life visually helps you move beyond guesswork and make decisions with confidence. (Link to more visual planning tips)
If you’re not an expert in architectural or design software, this is where tools like Madespace can be especially helpful. Instead of forcing you to choose a single “style,” Madespace allows you to reimagine your actual room in a range of different directions, side-by-side, without any technical expertise. By simply describing what you’re drawn to, you can see your space transformed instantly and refine details until it feels right.
The best interiors aren’t defined by trends or rules — they’re shaped by curiosity, experimentation, and personal comfort. Start exploring, stay open, and let your space evolve into something that truly feels like home.
