How to Design a Home that Reflects You

It’s your space, your story. 

Whether you just bought a new home to renovate or you’re decorating your first solo apartment, you’re probably wondering…

What’s the “right” way to decorate my space?! (Hint– there is none).

How can I NOT be embarrassed to host people here? 

How can I decorate my space so that I’ll actually want to stay for years to come?

Your home design should go beyond brick and mortar. It doesn’t have to just be a stylish sanctuary, it should be an expression of you! Of course, you can look up living room accessories ideas or lounge room decor ideas and come across a Restoration Hardware list that has almost everything you’re looking for, but at the end of the day, your space should be a canvas for the narrative you’d like to tell, and that story won’t fit into any one category. 

But how can you create a space you love? 

How can your space tell a story that reflects your identity?  

How do you know when or if you need the help of an interior designer? 

What if you’re only looking to make small upgrades to your home?

How much does an interior designer cost? 

If you do it right, design is extremely personal – it looks different for everyone, and that’s where the fun comes in. However, there are 7 things I always tell my clients to consider before we start designing their dream home. These are what I’ve named the 7 elements of Urban Lark design excellence, and they’ve made up the foundation of tons of homes now lived in and loved by my clients.

1. Your space should ‘wow’ AND serve.

Function is necessary, but without form, function becomes utilitarian. To put it simply, your space, or each space within your home, will have a purpose, but if you only design the space based on its purpose, it may lack aesthetic appeal and personal expression, and isn’t that why we’re all here?

The purpose and aesthetics of your space should be in a symbiotic relationship. The intended use of your space should dictate its layout. So, if you’re looking for front room decor ideas, consider the function of the space first – how will everything be laid out to make the room as functional as possible? 

Consider the color scheme, lighting, and materials that serve as functional parts of the space and enhance its overall purpose. For instance, choosing soft, warm lighting in a bedroom can add to the cozy ambiance, but brighter lights on the nightstand can serve as great decorations and aids for reading. In another case, your interior and exterior entryways may warrant brighter lights that make it more inviting. You may also have a welcome mat that you love in your entryway that contributes to the function of the space (hopefully, you welcome people and may ask them to wipe their shoes) and the aesthetic. 

2. Never settle for safe. 

Challenge ubiquitous marketing that tells you what your home should look like! 

As you know if you’ve been keeping up with me for a while, I always urge my clients to never settle for what’s safe in their space. If you know you like the typical “Crate & Barrel” look, you’ll come across categories within that realm that may dictate what your space should have in it. I’m here to permit you to go outside of that box and design your space in the way that expresses you. (That being said, you may still have a particular design style that can be a great starting point for your space – take this quiz to find out what it is).  

3. Effective design evokes emotion.  

Your home should make you (and guests) feel something – whether it’s welcomed, intrigued, surprised, or all of the above. If your space doesn’t make you feel in awe, something is missing. Don’t panic – it’s not only start-to-finish renovations that give homes a ‘wow factor’ – you can make small tweaks to your home that take it right back up to the place you’ve always dreamed of. 

4. The soul of a home resides in its comfort, humanity, and lived-in warmth.

This brings us back to form and function – your space should always be functional, but you can make it have soul if you prioritize its form, too.

How well a home is designed = how much you love living there.

Just because your home looks stylish & perfect doesn’t mean you’ll be in love with it. In MY opinion, YOUR opinion is the only one that matters. 

How can you make your home a creative expression of YOU? 

By brainstorming the (endless) answers to this one question, you will naturally figure out how to decorate your space. Once you add your personal flair to your space, it will evoke a lived-in warmth and humanity that reflects its occupant… you! 

5. Compelling art narrates its tale, sparks dialogue, and is born from originality.

I always tell my clients: Art is whatever YOU choose to put on the walls.

Art, just like interior spaces (like the one above), should tell a story. Pieces of art hold fascinating stories, and what’s better than a conversation starter in the middle of your space? Once again, let’s think about form and function. Those new vintage wine glasses you just bought aren’t only great for entertaining, they become the centerpiece of the table and the topic of conversation. 

Decor shouldn’t just be looked at, it should be interacted with. 

Lively spaces should spark curiosity and dialogue! This enhances the function of the space as well – if you’re finalizing your entertainment area, wouldn’t you love eye-catching art that you can tell your guests all about? Bonus points if it’s original.

6. Your home should evolve with you.

Welcome Wabi Sabi! Life evolves imperfectly, and so should the way we think about design – once you start to embrace this fluid imperfection, your space will become beautiful in ways you never expected. 

Wabi Sabi celebrates this beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and authenticity. Originating from Japanese aesthetics and philosophy, it encourages us to embrace the natural cycle of growth, decay, and transformation inherent in all aspects of life, including design. As a vintage enthusiast, I welcome Wabi Sabi in every space I help curate. I love finding beauty in the imperfect, worn, and weathered. Imperfections and quirks add character and charm! Whether it's the patina of aged wood or the irregularities in handcrafted ceramics, imperfection is a source of uniqueness and depth that, if embraced, will help you reflect who you are throughout your space in ways that can’t be replicated.

Just like life, the design of your space should be dynamic, ever-changing, and in my opinion, unpredictable. Your space is allowed to evolve and reflect the lived experiences and stories of all that’s happened there! It should tell a story. It’s all about creating environments that adapt and grow organically, rather than remaining static and sterile over the years you live there. Once you welcome Wabi Sabi, the spontaneity and creativity will spark a deeper connection between you and your home, like a fluid relationship that deepens over time. 

7. Beauty isn’t bound by budgets, especially not here.

Projects don’t have to be time-consuming or large-scale to exceed what you’ve envisioned!

You may still be wondering: 

Do I need an interior designer at all? 

How much does it cost to hire an interior designer?

How much does an interior designer cost per room?

Contrary to popular belief, I believe everyone can benefit from AND should be able to easily work with an interior designer. After all, everyone deserves a home that they’re dying to show off. No matter the size or scale of the project, a few expert tips can help you go from a mundane room to a complete show-stopper.

If you want to make your space a jaw-dropper no matter the size or budget, here’s how I can help:

And if we haven’t met yet, it’s nice to virtually meet you – I’m Kat, an interior designer and founder of Urban Lark. I turn spaces into statements and I’d love to do that for you. Here’s how we can connect:

Browse my services. From total home makeovers to design mood boards, I help clients of all kinds create spaces they love. Hopefully, your home is next! 

Find out which design style suits you best. Of course, nobody fits in perfectly to any category, but this quiz will give you insight into how you can start thinking about your dream space. 

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