If I had to choose one favorite place, my home would probably be at the top of the list. This private sanctuary serves several purposes, but ultimately it's the perfect space to unwind at the end of a long day. That's why it's important to treat it like a blank canvas and fill it with details that truly reflect who you are.
Deciding on an interior design style that you like will give you a lot of control over the look and feel of your space, and how you want it to feel within it, says Shaolin Low of Studio Shaolin . “I think we now understand more than ever how much the environment affects our mental and physical health,” she says. “A well-thought-out, well-chosen space allows your body to relax, recharge, and influences how you present yourself in the world.”
What's the best way to truly represent your home? Create a design based on your personality type. We've sent in a psychologist and several interior designers to help transform your home into one that reflects, enhances, or soothes some of your key traits.
5 personality types
We learned more about the “Big 5” personality types (also known as OCEAN) from Doreen Dougen McGee, MD, psychologist, speaker, and author of Restart: Designing a Healthy Post-Pandemic Life. According to her, people mainly fall into her five categories: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Openness: People who enjoy new and different experiences. Integrity: A careful, diligent, and efficient person who often prioritizes performing tasks well and taking activities seriously. Extraversion: Sociable people who like being around others and are drawn to higher levels of stimulation. Agreeableness: People who are kind, warm, empathetic, and adaptable to their environment. Neuroticism: People who experience high levels of anxiety, usually in response to distress. .
Which interior design style is best for each personality type?
Your personality influences how you interact with space, including your home. “We live, act, think, and feel outside of our personality traits, both consciously and unconsciously,” says Dogen-McGee. “Interior design has the power to strengthen the human beings we already have and advance our development.” Understanding this is especially helpful when using online interior design services for DIY projects.
“To choose the interior design style that best suits your personality, think about your key personality traits,” says Lukas Goldbach, partner and design director at En Masse Architecture and Design. “It sets the tone by bringing an emotional connection to a space,” he says. “Every design aesthetic expresses certain values.”
William Abranowitz
Openness: eclectic design
For open and creative thinkers, our experts offer eclectic interior design styles. Emily Williams, head designer at Z Properties, a Florida-based design, construction and interiors firm, thinks of bold colors and layered elements. “Think non-linear lines, unexpected details, patterns, textures, and color mixtures,” she says.
This interior design scheme is perfect for open-minded people who like to explore the world and decorate their home with what they find, adds Abbey Gruman of Abbey Lee Designs. “[This style]often represents a well-travelled person, and these travel experiences are reflected in the eclectic design of the home, including displaying sculptures and art,” she says.
William Abranowitz
Integrity: minimalist design
Conscientious people prefer highly organized and functional lifestyles, so a minimalist home base is the best fit, says Alexandra Peck, owner and president of Alexandra Peck Design. “To successfully create a beautiful, minimalist interior space, choose something with a simple, clean interior,” says Peck. “We recommend using natural materials such as linen, wool, and white oak, as well as a light-colored lime wash paint for walls and ceilings.”
Williams points out that every element should be designed around productivity, and that people with integrity value productivity highly. “Every feature in a[minimalist]home has a purpose, some meaning or use,” she adds, noting that streamlined, functional spaces shouldn't feel cold. “It’s not overly decorated, but it still has character within the space.”
Courtesy of @virtuallyherestudios
Extraversion: modern design
Extroverts are the life of the party, so their space should reflect that, says Williams. This passionate and energetic way of life is best reflected in modern interior design, a plan rooted in open spaces. “I envision a home where you can have fun, with unexpected gathering spaces and large seating areas,” she says. “Everything fits together so well, and most importantly, no matter where you stand in the house, there's always a place for someone to put down their drink.”
Gruman recommends incorporating other modern design elements to add to your open floor plan, such as warm neutral colors, grasscloth wallpaper, and cozy fabrics. Goldbach also lists ideas for bold, high-impact pieces like sculptural sofas and statement rugs as options.
Wing Ho
Harmony: traditional design
If you fit into this category, Peck notes that you may be hesitant to choose a bold interior style, based on your caring personality and desire to create a space that everyone can enjoy. . However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a space with an element of surprise. She offers a traditional aesthetic rooted in history, making it classic, timeless, and familiar to those who enter the home.
Peck recommends sourcing antique furniture that's centuries old, with materials like dark wood, aged leather, and velvet. Refine your space with a hand-woven area rug in warm tones and polished brass or oil-brushed bronze light fixtures with off-white linen shades.
Neurosis: Coastal Design
Because neurotic personality types tend to experience high levels of anxiety, Dougen-McGee recommends an interior design aesthetic that is both calming and stimulating. According to the designer, home designs inspired by the Mediterranean and the coast are both true. They transport us to the sea, where a gentle color palette and the crash of ocean waves simultaneously soothe and revitalize our senses. These interior design styles also offer a cozy atmosphere, Lowe explains, as common features like neutral paint tones and houseplants all contribute to stress relief.
Incorporate these design schemes into your home by incorporating light, airy colors (such as light blue), comfortable rugs and sofas, linen window coverings and upholstery, light oak, and grasscloth wallpaper.