Staying True to YOU in Design

One of the most important interior design tips is to never let the design overtake you. Your style and likings are important. Colors and styles make up who you are: they represent your likes and dislikes, your personality ups and downs, and they definitely trigger emotional feelings. It is important when you are designing your space to utilize colors and styles that make you feel happy, at ease, invigorated, and pleasant.

Many designers or even showroom salespeople will try to pressure you into going with a particular style – whatever is most “hip” at the moment is most likely the mode of design they will push you towards. This is not all in an effort to undermine you, but more to fulfill their designation that a portion of their job is to keep their clients “current” – with both styles and color palettes that are popular at the moment.

While being current and stylish is important, staying true to your individual likes and dislikes is even more imperative. Keep this in mind when you hire a designer or go to a showroom to shop. Making a list of things that you are looking for prior to setting foot in a large store can be a key step in ensuring that you will be satisfied and happy with the outcome. Though you may vary from your list of attributes you are looking for once you see the variety of options, it will help you stay grounded with the knowledge of what you thought you wanted before you are confronted with the enormous plethora of choices that will greet you in the showroom.

Even though you have a list, make sure that you are open to particular suggestions for consideration. Thinking “outside the box”, especially your individual box, is a good way to allow yourself to reflect on how different options and designs make you feel – and will keep you from filling your entire space with identical colors/styles. No one will feel invigorated in a home full of all taupe furniture, walls and accessories, as well as no one will feel at peace in a home full of nothing but striking and bright blinding colors.

Salespeople are there to help you, to determine your wants and needs, and to gently steer you in the direction that will most likely deliver the perfect living setting for your personality, your living needs, and particular design wants for your space. Keep that in mind and use salespeople and designers as a useful tool, but remember to stay true to yourself in your design.