Our homes are not just places to live but reflections of what we value and I often share ideas on how to inject your personality into your interior design as well as the 5 Steps to Define Your Home Style. Putting your passions into your decor is almost always a conscious choice and it is this intentionality that makes it a beautiful way to communicate with those we welcome into our lives as well as creating a place that feels like home.
It’s almost always possible to infuse your interests into your interior design scheme while still maintaining its intended harmony and style. Whether you’re passionate about music, woodworking, skiing and so forth, read on to see how you can make your passions work with your home designs:
Consider the Vibe and Function of the Space
Before diving into the decor, it’s best to think about the overall atmosphere your space already has. It’s possible that the room may need some renovation work first and some physical changes to the space may also be required.
For example, if you’re mounting skateboard wall art made from recycled decks, the wall surface choices to reinforce the vibe of these pieces tend to be bare brick or concrete wall surfaces. This doesn’t mean that you can’t deviate from this but you should be aware of how a room “feels” and make intentional choices before you decorate.
Tell a Coherent Narrative
Having a narrative doesn’t mean that your decor has to tell a literal story. Rather, it should reinforce interests or values you believe in. For instance, adorning your walls with maps, souvenirs, and travel posters can tell a story about your love for travel and other cultures, creating a talking point for guests. Making an effort to tell a cohesive story through your decor will also make the sum of your design efforts larger than the individual pieces, thus creating a big impact without cluttering up the whole space.
In our own home office in our ongoing 1930s Forever Home Renovation, we’re planning to give a nod to my husband’s love for travel and requirements to travel for work by framing a vintage world map and having different clocks for different time zones:
Make your Passion Relatable
Your home design choices should be all about you. However, making your passion accessible to guests invites conversation and engagement—which is exactly what you want for areas like living rooms. If you’re a photography enthusiast, consider displaying your favourite prints in high-traffic areas where they can be admired and discussed. You can also try incorporating recognisable pop culture elements that tie into your hobby to encourage further engagement.
In our new house we’re planning to have a gallery wall which includes family photographs:
Avoid Cluttering Your Home
It can be tempting to go all out with your hobby-themed decor, but you also have to be mindful of clutter and making a space too ‘themed’. Choose a few key pieces that represent your passion without overwhelming the space. If the items are also functional, keep them organised and easily accessible with creative storage solutions like custom-built cabinets to decorative baskets and bins. This is particularly helpful in a games room or play room.
Create a Dedicated Space
Some hobbies are rather messy. If you cook or do recreational woodworking, for instance, the resulting mess will almost certainly get in the way of your space’s liveability. If this is the case with your passion, designate a specific area where you can fully indulge in your hobby without worrying about messes and distractions. In these situations, you can use the tools of your craft as functional display pieces on open shelves or racks where you can also have immediate access to them. In our last house we converted the garage into a studio which was at the end of the garden; I loved that it was part of our home whilst also being separate!
Blend Functionality with Style
Related to the previous idea, you can consider using decorative pieces that serve both practical and aesthetic purposes. For instance, many musical instruments can be considered works of art in themselves. Thus, displaying them so that they’re always within easy reach can be a great idea. Similarly, if you have a bit more to spend in your budget, you can choose equipment for your hobby that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Embrace DIY projects
Put your creativity to the test by incorporating DIY projects inspired by your passion. Whether it’s handcrafted artwork, upcycled furniture, or custom-made decor, adding personal touches will make your space meaningful and also unique.
Cultivating Authenticity and Meaning in Your Everyday Experiences
Whether you rent or own your own house, your home should be a reflection of who you are. After all, you’ll be the one who will be using it every day. Including references to your passions in your home design is a wonderful way to do just that in an organic way.
If like us, you love to travel, it’s easy to draw interior inspiration from around the globe … I’ve personally been influenced by the patterns in Florida, boho rustic vibes in Mykonos and farmhouse textures in Tuscany.
Regardless of what you choose to do, approach each change with the goal of sharing meaningful narratives and displaying inimitable points of interest. So long as your curation remains honest and thoughtful, you’ll eventually create a home that communicates authentic stories and emotions to its visitors. Of course, you’ll also be left with a space that is unmistakably your own.
