How to Discover Your Ideal Design Aesthetic
Many clients come to us feeling overwhelmed by the vast number of design styles out there. With so many options and trends, it’s easy to feel unsure about what truly resonates with you. If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. Discovering your personal design aesthetic isn’t just about following trends—it’s about understanding what makes you feel at home.
So, where do you begin in uncovering your personal aesthetic? Here are the steps we recommend to explore what will truly make you feel at home.
Step 1: Collect Inspiration
The first step in discovering your ideal design aesthetic is to spend some time collecting images of spaces that speak to you. No analysis just yet—simply collect what you’re drawn to. Pinterest is a great place to start, but we often recommend looking through magazines as well, as they tend to lean toward specific aesthetics. Browse with an open mind, and let your intuition guide you.
Look at your own wardrobe too. Your fashion choices can say a lot about how you want your home to feel. Whether it’s sleek and modern or warm and inviting, your personal style gives a glimpse into your home’s future look.
Step 2: Define the Emotional Goals for Your Home
Design is emotional. Your home should reflect how you want to feel every day. As you go through your inspiration, ask yourself these questions:
What three words would you use to describe how you want to feel when you walk into your home? Cozy? Bright? Inviting? Bold?
Which rooms do you spend the most time in and why?
What objects in your current home hold sentimental value or tell your story?
What spaces have you visited that made you think, “I wish my home felt like this?”
These insights are key to narrowing down the mood you want to create. For example, if you’re drawn to spaces that feel serene and calming, focus your search around words like “soothing,” “calm,” or “light-filled.”
Step 3: Look for Common Themes
Once you’ve gathered a good collection of images, it’s time to step back and analyze the details. Look for recurring patterns in the colors, materials, furniture shapes, and even lighting. These elements often point to your true style, even if you can’t name it yet.
Are you drawn to natural materials like wood and stone? Do you prefer minimalist designs with clean lines, or are you more attracted to eclectic spaces with bold colors and textures? Take note of these recurring themes, as they’ll help you see the bigger picture of your style.
Step 4: Organize Your Inspiration
Now, it’s time to organize your inspiration. We recommend grouping your images into categories based on their patterns. For example, you might create one board for color schemes, another for furniture styles, and another for textures and materials. You can also group them by specific rooms, such as “living room” or “kitchen.”
As you go through this process, try to focus on the elements that you love most. This will help you identify the core of your style and make the next steps easier.
Step 5: Share Your Findings
Once you’ve identified your aesthetic, sharing your inspiration with a designer will take it to the next level. Our trained eyes can spot patterns in your images that may not be obvious to you. Understanding your true style—whether it’s modern minimalism or warm, inviting traditionalism—helps us create a space that feels like you.
In addition, we have the experience that allows us to strike the balance between what you love and what will actually work for your space and lifestyle. We can assess the long-term practicality of your choices and offer solutions that bring your vision to life without compromising on functionality.
Quick Takeaways for Discovering Your Interior Design Aesthetic
Start by collecting inspiration from Pinterest, magazines, and even your wardrobe to uncover what naturally draws your eye.
Define the emotional goals for your home by asking how you want to feel in your space and what inspires you most.
Look for recurring themes in colors, materials, furniture shapes, and lighting to pinpoint your style.
Organize your inspiration into categories or boards to clearly see your preferences.
Share your findings with a professional interior designer for expert insight, practical solutions, and a design that feels like home.
Embracing Your Personal Aesthetic
Now that you have a clearer sense of your design style, the doors are open to creating a space that truly feels like you. Working with a designer ensures that your home will not only reflect your aesthetic but also be functional and practical for your everyday life.
If you’re ready to start discovering and defining your ideal design aesthetic, we’d love to help guide you through the process. You know where to find us when the time is right.
— Veronica & Aggie
Meet the Designers
Studio VAE is a full-service interior design studio serving the San Francisco Bay Area, led by Principal Designers Veronica Jurist and Aggie Revane.
With over 40 years of combined experience in high-end hospitality, residential design and interior architecture, Veronica and Aggie create spaces rooted in sustainability, wellness and meaningful connection.
