10 Design Ideas to Create a Home That Feels Unmistakably You
Put your personal stamp on your home with these original ideas
I’m always collecting design inspiration that strikes me, typically stuff Ive I’ve never seen before or clever variations of things I see a lot. These are ideas for people who don’t want their homes to look like everyone else’s. It’s not about Pinterest perfection, but self-expression. Think of these ideas as layers that go into creating an authentic, timeless, collected home. You’ll see references below, but what I love most about these ideas is that you can make them your own, and in turn, they will make your home feel more unique, more you.
So, which of these design ideas speak to you? Share in comments.
1. Drapes but not where you think
Drapes aren’t just for windows. Hanging them above a focal point like a bed or a day bed/sofa can create a statement design moment. Choose a bold pattern for maximum impact or go with a neutral solid fabric for a softer effect. The fabric can be gathered in a single point or affixed to the wall at multiple points, almost like a shower curtain. You can also hang art or a mirror on top of the drapes. It’s dramatic yet also gives the impression of insouciance; chic but not trying too hard.
Anne-Laure Mais's home
Amanda Pickett's home via Frederic
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sense of spen• cer
noun [sɛns, əv, ˈspɛnsər]
Reflecting one’s identity through their interiors
A home with character and soul
When a house becomes a home
2. Painted floors
Painted floors are at the top of my list of home designs I plan to implement when I own a home. They lend a wonderful warmth to any room. Apparently, the technique goes back in time to Sweden where the upper classes wanted marble floors in the Italian manner, but it was too costly and too cold. So in that sense, painted floors look expensive but are more budget-friendly and practical. Bunny Mellon famously employed the same painter-decorator to paint the floors in most of her homes to look aged and have a trompe l’oeil effect that suggested inlaid stone. However, a simple checkerboard also looks fantastic in a range of color ways, like white/natural wood, yellow/white, blue/white. Another option is simply painting the floor a solid color whether a crisp white or a bold color.
Tattie Isles’s home
3. Draping textiles on tables
This idea is so simple — you literally just drape a textile over a table, like an ottoman, console, or side table. Using a textile with pattern and color is a great way to add character and warmth — especially when paired with other patterns. I love ikats, suzanis, kanthas, or even tapestries for draping. The fabric can puddle on the floor or trail off at any point (it doesn’t need to be even on all sides, as you see below). If you don’t have a textile, you can even repurpose a tablecloth. I draped a tablecloth over an ugly bookshelf console table from Amazon — and it’s one of my favorite vignettes in my home.
Deborah Needleman’s home, design by Rita Konig via AD
4. Displaying art on a ledge
Art is an obvious way to make a home feel more personal, but how you display it can make a difference as well. Leaning art on tables and even on the floor is a great way to add layers of visual interest, but take it one step further and install a ledge above doorways to display art and/or objects. The nice part is you can always be rotating what’s on view to keep it fresh.
John Stefanidis’s house on Patmos
5. Curtain as door
In cooler places it’s not uncommon to find a curtain behind a door to the outside as a way to keep drafts at bay. But guess what? You can use a curtain instead of a door anywhere in a home. It still serves a function but also adds a decorative touch. Hang a curtain in a doorway to create a little extra privacy or in front of a closet to conceal storage. Using a curtain instead of a door also takes up less space in small rooms.