Tips for being Authentic with Your Interior Decorating

Tip 1: Make a list of what, where, and who you love

Make a list of favorite memories, people, places, accomplishments, experiences, etc. Then do some research to find ways to let your décor reflect those things. Example: plants and flowers native to places you have visited; patterns, fabrics, and materials from your hometown or home country, or that of your parents or grandparents; things you saw and experienced in the homes you loved to visit as a child; etc. Refer to this list often as you choose pieces for your home, and use it as a reference point as you make decisions.

Tip 2: Choose colors based on something you love

Choose colors either based on the things on this list (for instance, colors seen repeatedly in your hometown or favorite city, the colors on a favorite piece of clothing, etc) OR choose colors based on something you want to bring into the room, like a rug or piece of art.

Tip 3: Make a list of the things you love about rooms that inspire you

When looking for decorating inspiration, pay attention to what you really like about the rooms you are seeing. Pick apart the details that speak to you, and then (literally!) take note of those things. This will help you avoid the common mistake of trying to recreate an entire room when really the only thing you truly loved about it was one piece of the furniture.

Tip 4: Prioritize your feelings

Think about how you want to feel and choose things for your home that evoke those feelings. For instance, if you want to feel cozy, choose things with a lot of texture and things that reflect candlelight.

Tip 5: Choose something from your list of loves, and reflect it through scent.

Choose a signature scent for your home that connects to something on the list you made. For instance, research fruits or flowers that grow in a city on your list and use a scent that has notes of that.