How to Create Spaces That Feel Like You

Creating a beautiful home is one thing, creating a space that truly reflects you is something else entirely. In a world flooded with trends, Pinterest boards, and Instagram-perfect interiors, it’s easy to lose sight of what feels authentic. That’s where intentional design comes in.

As an interior designer, I often begin projects by helping clients peel back the layers of inspiration to uncover their personal style. It’s less about copying a look and more about curating one that aligns with how they live, what they love, and how they want to feel in their home.

Start with the Feeling, Not the Furniture

Before we talk color palettes or fabric samples, I always ask: How do you want this space to feel? Calm and serene? Energizing and creative? Cozy and layered? These emotional cues become the backbone of the design.

For example, one client came to me saying she wanted her living room to feel “open and breezy”, but she also loved dark, moody colors. Through conversation, we discovered what she really craved was a space that felt relaxed, not necessarily light in color. The result? A moody palette with soft textures, open layouts, and casual seating—her version of “breezy.”

The “Style Snapshot”

If you're unsure where to start, try this:

1. Gather 5–10 images of interiors you love (don’t overthink it).

2. Look at them side by side, what themes pop up? Are you drawn to neutral tones or bold color? Clean lines or vintage charm? Natural materials or sleek finishes?

3. Now ask yourself why you’re drawn to each. Is it the mood? The use of space? The comfort?

This is often where those “aha” moments happen. One client realized all her inspiration images had some kind of handmade or organic element, rattan, linen, ceramics, even though she thought she had a modern style. We leaned into that, blending clean shapes with raw materials to give her the modern-yet-warm look she didn’t know she wanted.

Design for Real Life, Not Just Instagram

Intentional design also means making choices that fit your lifestyle. Do you need more closed storage because clutter stresses you out? Do you host friends often and need flexible seating? Do you love to cook and need a kitchen that can keep up?

One of the most personal acts of design is acknowledging how you really live, and designing for that, unapologetically.

Your Home, Your Story

In the end, your home should feel like you, not a showroom. The art on the wall, the books on the shelf, the fabric on the sofa, they all tell a story. When you design with intention, you don’t just create a space that looks good. You create a space that welcomes you, reflects you, and supports the way you live.

And really, isn’t that what good design is all about?