6 Ways to Decorate with Personality

That’s so you!

I love it when someone says that to me about something they think is perfect for my house or for me to wear.

It means I’ve done a good job of defining my personal style and staying true to who I am and what I love. It may not be on trend or your cup of tea, but it’s me and that’s what matters.

A home is all about the people who live in it. Forget the cookie-cutter catalog images or — gasp!! — all the loveliness that appears on Pinterest and instead focus on decorating your home to reflect your personality.

Here are six ways to decorate with personality — your personality!

Decorate with what you love

For me, that’s all things vintage.

Midcentury pottery in pastel colors.

Birds and mason jars.

And painted furniture.

Get Personal with Color

Some people love neutrals or the serenity of all-white rooms.

But I’ve always been attracted to color. I’m the girl with the hot pink handbag and bright red shoes (though maybe not with the same outfit!)

It only makes sense that I should make colorful choices when it comes to my home’s decor.

Pink, green, blue, aqua… I love them all.

I love this advice from designer Nate Berkus — “Be Bold.”

It’s good life advice and good decorating advice, too.

“Your space should be as bold as you are. It should represent who you are and what you love,” he says.

Play with Patterns

Matchy-matchy — that’s so not me! I’m like a toddler when it comes to mixing and matching patterns and prints.

If I think they go together, then I go for it. And so should you. Because it will make you happy and reflect your personality and view of the world.

Polka dots and stripes? Geometric prints and florals?

Go for it!

Put Your Heart Into It

I love the stories behind furniture and decorative accessories. And I love when I can tell part of my story through my decorating choices.

This buffet was one of the first pieces of furniture I painted, and it’s still my favorite. I put a lot of hard work and heart into it.

And the accessories on it all tell a story, too, of how my husband and I met as newspaper reporters.

Don’t be afraid to put your heart into your home.

Use a Scent to Create Mood and Ambience

Decorating isn’t just about visuals. Other senses also come into play in creating mood and ambience.

I love perfumer Carlos Huber’s advice to “use scent as an accessory” in your home.

Scent is so tied to mood and memory. Don’t believe me? Try describing your grandmother’s kitchen without mentioning what it smelled like.

Lately, I am loving the new Unstopables collection of air, home and fabric care products to make my home and laundry smell good and create a long-lasting sensory experience that reflects my personality.

Unstoppables products (which include air refreshener sprays, candles, fabric refresher sprays, in-wash scent boosters and scented oil warmers, come in three scents. There’s the light and vibrant Fresh, the lavender floral and vanilla scents of Lush and the fruity and floral Shimmer.

I love Huber’s idea of having a signature scent for your home — or even better matching the fragrance to each room for the ultimate #ScentDecor experience.

“Think of decorating as giving your space personality,” Huber said, “and scent as the final layer of expression.”

Be whimsical

Don’t take decorating so seriously.

Don’t be afraid to have a little fun and to embrace your quirkiness.

It’s OK to be silly or weird or whimsical.

Just be you!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.