How to Decorate a Home That Feels Like You
For homes that feel lived-in, layered, and collected over time.
Decorating your home isn’t just about filling rooms with beautiful things—it’s about creating a space that reflects your life, your habits, and what matters to you. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by inspiration or tempted to recreate something you saw on Pinterest, but the best homes feel lived-in, layered, and collected over time.
When I’m making decisions about a room—or even an entire house—I like to come back to three simple questions:
What do you have?
Start here. What furniture is already part of your life—and more importantly, which pieces are non-negotiable? Maybe it’s a dining table you inherited, a vintage armchair that fits just right, or a dresser that’s been with you through every move. These are the pieces that carry your history. Let them guide the rest of the space.
Practical tip: Photograph everything and look at your pieces all together. You’ll start to notice a color palette, texture, or shape that can help steer your other choices.
In our house, there are a few things I knew I wasn’t letting go of—an old wooden hutch I had sent over from England, a super deep, comfy sofa I had custom made years ago (it needs to be reupholstered and re-stuffed, but it’s perfect), and a set of dining chairs my husband loves. Those pieces gave me my palette before I ever chose a paint color.
What do you need?
Next, think practically. What does your space actually require to function well? Do you need more storage? A longer table? Matching beds in every room? These “needs” are what ground your space and make it easy to live in day to day.
Practical tip: Don’t rush this list. Measure everything. Walk through your routines. Good design always supports how you live—not just how it looks.
For me, the needs list is clear: I want all the beds in the house to match—same frames, same bedding—so everything feels cohesive from room to room. I’m also searching for a very specific vintage dining table that’s 10 feet long, something that can anchor big gatherings. And when we finally get around to decorating the living room and family room (which are connected), I know I want matching sofas in both spaces to keep the flow and balance just right.
What do you want?
Now for the fun part—the wants. These are the special pieces that bring your vision to life. They're not urgent or necessary, but they’re often what gives your home soul.
Practical tip: Keep a running list or folder of inspiration. These pieces might take months (or years) to find, but when the right one comes along, you’ll be ready.
I have a running list that keeps growing and evolving—those perfect vintage pieces that really pull the house together and make it feel like a home. The right console tables for the entryway and upstairs hallway, ideally matching. Bar stools that are not only comfortable but vintage, with a beautiful patina. A rug that sets the tone for the entire room—worn in all the right ways. These are the details I’m happy to wait for, because they bring the space to life in a way nothing else can.
Final Thought
When you answer all three—what you have, what you need, and what you want—you start to build a home that’s personal, grounded, and cohesive without trying too hard. It evolves with you. And that’s what makes it feel like home.
I’d love to hear from you—what are the pieces in your home you’ll never part with? What’s on your dream list? Leave a comment or share your own version of have / need / want. It’s always inspiring to see how other people build their spaces.
keeping a cream colored bureau my mom bought for herself a yr she before passed a iron bed that was in our childhood home and couple weights with the rope still attached that was used in a window my grandfather built and few doorknobs metal and a porcelain one :) and bridal wreath bush that was my mother’s and my grandmothers glass ice cream dishes.
keeping a cream colored bureau my mom bought for herself a yr she before passed a iron bed that was in our childhood home