How to Define Your Interior Decor Style (and Find Art That Fits!)

Written By Elena Harper

Ever walk into a space and think, Wow, this feels so… me—only to look around your own home and feel like it’s a mismatched jumble of impulse buys and inherited furniture? Finding your interior decor style isn’t just about making your space look good—it’s about creating an environment that reflects who you are, how you live, and what inspires you.

If you’re design-conscious and wans to refine your home’s aesthetic (without falling into fleeting trends or over-curated showroom vibes), this guide will help you uncover your true decor style—and find the perfect art to bring it all together.

1. Look at Your Closet (Yes, Really!)

Your wardrobe is a great starting point because personal style often translates into home design. Open your closet and take note of:

  • Colors & Patterns: Are you all about neutrals, or do you lean into bold prints?

  • Materials & Textures: Do you gravitate toward soft, natural fabrics like linen and leather, or sleek, structured silhouettes?

  • Vibe: Are your outfits effortlessly cool and laid-back (think California modern) or polished and structured (hello, mid-century modern)?

A person who wears classic, well-tailored pieces might love a refined, minimalist home, while someone drawn to vintage band tees and denim jackets might lean toward industrial or boho styles. And don’t forget about hybrids – you are a dynamic human, which means there’s a chance you skew towards two dominant styles.

How this translates to art: If you love minimalist clothing, look for abstract work, monochromatic photography, or sleek sculpture in ceramic, glass or metal. If you embrace bold fashion and a range of colorscapes, consider statement-making paintings, graphic art, or vibrant street-style prints.

2. Pin, Save, Screenshot: The Power of Visual Curation

A scroll through Pinterest, Instagram, or design magazines can reveal a lot about your taste. Scrolling before bed? Create a folder and start saving images of rooms, furniture, and decor that speak to you.

Once you have a collection, analyze it and try to find any commonalities or reoccurring themes:

  • Do you see lots of warm, rustic wood or glossy, modern finishes?

  • Is there a preference for light, airy spaces or moody, dramatic interiors?

  • Do you like clean lines and open spaces, or cozy, layered rooms?

Patterns will emerge, helping you pinpoint your design preferences.

How this translates to art: If you’re drawn to earthy, natural textures, look for organic, nature-inspired art like botanical prints, landscapes, or woven wall hangings. If your saved images lean toward bubble-pop maximalism, dopamine-boosting graphic prints, geometric art, or vintage concert posters might be up your ally. On the flip side, grande millennial skewed design would call for lush oil painted landscapes or portraits, brass or bronze sculptural pieces, or even dreamy surreal pieces might pad out your space.

Search, Compile, Review and Edit

It’s 3am, you’ve been scrolling for hours. All of a sudden amassing a collection of vintage doorknobs (cat paintings) seems like the perfect answer to your design quandary. Before hitting “Buy”, give your brain a rest and come back to your folder in a day, with fresh eyes (and a firmer grip on reality). Keep what you love, delete the rest.

3. Think About Your Favorite Spaces (Real and Fictional)

Inspiration isn’t subtle—it hits you like a gut punch, whether you’re wandering through a perfectly designed boutique hotel, posted up in a café where ideas flow like caffeine, or stepping into a friend’s place that just gets it right. And let’s be real—some of the best interiors don’t even exist in the real world. Ever caught yourself obsessing over a film set, mentally moving in before the plot even unfolds? Exactly.

Ask yourself:

  • What about the space made you love it?

  • Was it the lighting? The colors? The mix of textures?

  • How can you bring that same feeling into your home?

How this translates to art: If you loved that moody speakeasy with dark wood and brass accents, vintage-inspired paintings or noir photography might be perfect. If you adore that modern, minimalist hotel, large-scale abstracts with neutral tones might fit the vibe.

Moodboard for Cohesion

For example, the French/Italian Riviera has been on our minds. We pulled inspiration from Hotel Eden Roc and Il Pellicano Hotel. A quick search helped round out the lux vacation vibes with plush textures, gold accents and of course a nod to the ultimate jet-setting king, Slim Aarons. Having all your favorite elements laid out before you gives you the opportunity to refine and land on something you truly love.

4. Assess Your Current Space: What Stays & What Goes?

Take a fresh look at your home and make a list of:
✅ Things you love (a chair, a rug, a piece of art)
🚫 Things you tolerate but don’t truly enjoy
❓ Things you feel meh about but don’t know why

This exercise helps identify what’s already working and what needs to change. Sometimes, a home feels off because we’ve kept things out of convenience, not because we actually love them.

How this translates to art: If a piece of art doesn’t spark joy or fit your evolving style, don’t be afraid to swap it out. Art should feel like an extension of your home’s energy—not just a filler for blank walls. Explore Facebook’s Buy Nothing groups or do a swap with neighbors on Nextdoor to keep costs and clutter down, and style on point.

5. Take a Style Quiz (But Don’t Overthink It!)

Online style quizzes (like those from Apartment Therapy, Houzz, or Design Society of America) can be fun tools to put a name to your preferences—whether it’s Japandi, Modern Farmhouse, or Eclectic Maximalism. But don’t feel boxed in! Most of us are a mix of styles, and that’s what makes a space feel lived-in and personal.

How this translates to art: If a quiz labels you as “Scandinavian Minimalist,” that doesn’t mean you have to stick to muted prints. Maybe you bring in contrast with bold, oversized abstracts or unexpected sculptural pieces. The key is keeping an open mind, and not rushing into buying something for the sake of buying something.

6. Find Your Art Style (Because Art Makes a Space Feel Like You)

Art is one of the easiest ways to refine your decor style and create a space that feels intentional. The key is choosing pieces that resonate with you—not just what’s trending.

Here’s how to start:

  • Explore different mediums: Photography, paintings, mixed media, textiles—see what speaks to you.

  • Visit galleries or online platforms: Follow independent artists on Instagram or browse curated online galleries.

  • Mix high and low: Pair investment pieces with affordable prints or thrifted finds for an effortlessly cool look.

  • Layer and play: Lean art on shelves, create a gallery wall, or mix frames and sizes for an organic feel.

7. Consider Your Lifestyle & How You Use Your Space

Your decor should be practical as well as stylish. Think about:

  • How you entertain: Do you host dinner parties or prefer solo Netflix marathons?

  • Who shares your space: Kids, pets, or partners might influence material choices (maybe skip the white couch?)

  • Your ideal ambiance: Do you want a calming retreat, a creative hub, or a vibrant social space?

How this translates to art: If you want a relaxing vibe, consider soft watercolors or dreamy landscapes. If you thrive on energy and movement, abstract expressionist pieces or pop art could be the way to go.

8. Mix and Match—Your Style Doesn’t Have to Be One-Note

Gone are the days when homes had to stick to a single aesthetic. Your space should feel layered, not like a showroom. Combine vintage with modern, high-end with thrifted, structured with organic. The best interiors tell a story—your story.

How this translates to art: Feel free to mix styles! Pair a contemporary painting with a vintage frame, or contrast bold graphic prints with soft, organic sculptures. It’s all about balance.

Final Thoughts: Own Your Style & Make It Work for You

Finding your interior decor style isn’t about following rules—it’s about uncovering what truly resonates with you. Take your time, experiment, and refine as you go.

And when it comes to art? Don’t just fill your walls—curate them. Choose pieces that inspire, spark conversation, and make your home feel like an extension of you.

Need help finding art that fits your space?

Whether you’re starting fresh or refining your existing style, Artus Operandi can help you discover affordable, one-of-a-kind pieces that bring your vision to life. Let’s make your space feel like home—your home.

Elena Harper
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