If the time has come for you to decorate the inside of your house, then chances are you are feeling a little excited, a little nervous and a little overwhelmed. Decorating a space gives you the opportunity to really “make it your own”, but what if you don’t really know what “your own” is? For most people, figuring out their own personal style can take them until they are well into their twenties or thirties, so it is no wonder that many people feel a little lost when trying to figure out how to decorate their homes. Here are some interior design tips that can help you figure out your own personal style.

1 - Start with a colour chart. When you were a child, you could answer immediately if asked what your favourite colour was. Can you still do that today? Scientists have found that different colours have definite impact on people’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Try to figure out what colours make you happy and which colours turn you off. Knowing what colours and colour combinations appeal to you can help get you started on designing your home.

2 – Think about size. How big is the room or rooms that you are decorating? Are you dealing with a compact space or do you have tall windows and high ceilings to work with? How much floor space are you willing to give up? Some people prefer to have more space and an open floor plan. Others like a cosier feel and are happier when there are more appointments to the room. Interior design is a very personal thing, so there is no right or wrong about this.

3 - Figure out what appeals to you. Look through magazines, visit open houses and walk through furniture stores. See what rooms and room mock-ups inspire you and which ones leave you cold and flat. While it is easy to think “Oh, I like contemporary or shabby chic”, it is not always what you really want in your home. By looking at rooms that have already been designed, you can figure out what you like and what you don’t like. Keep in mind that you don’t have to copy a room exactly, instead feel free to mix and match.

Interior design can be fun and exciting, as long as you keep the pressure off of yourself to measure up to anyone else’s ideals. The perfect room is a room that makes you happy, and that is a style that is truly your own.