A home feels most welcoming when it appeals to our senses and aligns with how we actually live. The textures, warmth and joy we bring into a space shape our style. Combining unique elements is what makes a house feel cozy, inviting and truly our own.
Every piece affects the whole, which is why rearranging or experimenting with what you already have can create a noticeable difference. Small shifts often make a room feel refreshed and more suited to your needs.
Fall nesting is one of my favorite times to rethink a home. The change of seasons naturally encourages reflection and small updates that help your space better represent who you are now. Your style should serve you, not the other way around.
Personal style is fluid. You can be bold and playful with changeable elements, or you can simplify and pare things back to a quieter, more minimal expression of yourself. One season (or even one house) might inspire a different approach than another, much like the way our clothing choices reflect our moods.
Signature style comes from the feeling you create in your home through the choices you make—colors, textures, patterns and placement. As your life changes, your style can evolve alongside you, shaped by what you own and what you need.
Even if your home isn’t an exact fulfillment of a long-held dream, it can still honestly reflect who you are in this moment. Homes should grow with us; they don’t need to be finished or perfect to be meaningful.
Enjoy your home as it is and consider how it can nurture your family in practical and soulful ways.
Major renovations can change a house, but simple, non-permanent updates often provide the same emotional lift. Swapping textiles, rearranging furniture, changing lighting or introducing a new accent can transform the mood without a big investment.
Personal style doesn’t need a strict label. Give your style room to breathe so it can expand and adapt with you.
Style is an expression of who you are. It doesn’t have to be limited by the architecture of your home or the expectations of others. The fun part is deciding what your current signature style means to you and making choices that reflect it.
When we first moved into this house, I used two Dutch doors as an early signature element. They were a change I could make quickly and they helped me reimagine the space. One modest update often leads to more ideas and possibilities for personalizing a home.
Once the Dutch doors were installed, they became part of the house’s character and helped define the style of the space. But if a permanent change isn’t possible, there are always other ways to set a tone—especially with non-permanent pieces.
If you live in a rental or prefer not to remodel, use accessories and textiles to create your look. Pillows, throws, rugs, lamps and artwork can be combined to convey a consistent mood and reflect your personality.
Right now I have a rattan daybed in the living room. It’s a statement piece and working for our current season—dogs included. It’s become a signature item because it’s useful and loved; if it weren’t used, it wouldn’t feel authentic to our family. Think about what actually works for you—that’s the best starting point.
Your style can and should evolve. Life brings changes that may require reassessing needs and making adjustments to your home. Whether you’re moving, remodeling, or experiencing shifts in family life or priorities, your surroundings can be adapted to support the next season.
Change doesn’t have to be drastic. Rearranging, mixing what you have, or introducing a few new textures or colors can revive a room. Just as our roles and identities shift over time, so too can the way we express ourselves through our homes.
An evolving style restores balance and joy and makes room for what’s next.
You’re still yourself even as your tastes shift; you simply express that self in different ways as seasons and circumstances change.
To let your style reflect who you are now, remain adaptable.
When we moved from a small cottage into a much larger Tudor, a friend peeked through our front window and instantly recognized our home by a small entry cabinet, stacked books and a cozy lamp. The house was different, but the arrangement of familiar elements conveyed the same feel. That consistency is what makes a home identifiable and comforting.
As you arrange furniture and accessories this fall, focus on the elements that draw you into the season and into your current version of home.
Build up, pare down or remix what you have to suit your mood and needs. That’s how an evolving style is created.
What element in your home could be a style setter this season? Maybe a rug, a piece of furniture, an architectural detail, a pattern, a pillow, or a mix of textures and colors?
What combinations will make you feel most comfortable and welcomed this fall?
Share what you’re thinking about your fall style in the comments.
My 2018 Fall Nesting Series posts:
Fall Nesting Series:
Happy Fall Nesting!
A Round up of Fall Doormats
Day One: An Autumn Mindset
Day Two: 20 Little Things
Day Three: Cozying Up the House with Shutters
Day Four: How to Decorate Your Coffee Table in Any Season
Day Five: Fall House Tour
Day Six: Embrace Your Style (and adapt as needed)
Day Seven: Cozy Fall Morning Rituals
Click here for sources from my house!
The Inspired Room on Instagram