Not long ago I was interviewed by The Home Office Organizer. In that conversation I explained how the name “The Inspired Room” came about (it’s now a registered trademark and LLC), shared ideas for personalizing a home office, spoke about who inspires me, and offered a few practical tips for discovering your authentic style. Below is an excerpt from that interview with key suggestions for creating rooms that reflect your life.
Q: You are a “Style Coach.” What are your top 5 tips for someone who wants to create rooms inspired by their life?
Here are five practical, down-to-earth tips to help you build a home that fits and reflects the life you want to live:
1) Live first, decorate second. Spend time living the life you want and collect meaningful items along the way. A home shaped by experiences grows naturally—you don’t need to rush to finish everything at once.
2) Design spaces that support how you actually live. Be honest about what you enjoy and arrange rooms to make those activities easy and enjoyable. If you love reading, create a cozy reading nook. If you host movie nights or cook for friends, configure seating and kitchen flow to accommodate those gatherings. Tailor the layout and function of your home to your habits and hobbies rather than trying to conform to someone else’s idea of a perfect house.
3) Remove what doesn’t belong. Eliminate items that are unattractive, useless, or don’t evoke a positive memory. Avoid filling spaces with random decorations; most objects should have a story, a purpose, or at minimum be visually pleasing. If something doesn’t serve you or bring you joy, let it go.
4) Elevate the everyday. Much of life happens in ordinary moments—eating, cleaning, bathing, sleeping, working—so make those routines pleasant. Organize daily-use items, choose materials and arrangements that are both functional and beautiful, and create little rituals that make ordinary tasks feel intentional and satisfying.
5) Ask for help wisely. Getting support is fine—designers, organizers, and friends can offer valuable ideas and skills—but choose people who respect your tastes and goals. Friends may unintentionally push their preferences, and some professionals might steer you toward choices that reflect their style (and budget) instead of yours. Find someone who listens, works with what you already own, and helps you build an authentic home.
Not everyone is naturally skilled at arranging or styling a room, and that’s okay. We each have strengths. If you need help organizing or pulling your belongings together so you can truly love your space, seek guidance without guilt. A little support can make a big difference in creating a home that feels right.
For the full interview on The Home Office Organizer blog, search for the interview with Melissa Michaels, The Style Coach.
Photo credit: House Beautiful online