At Home: A Home That Looks Like You
An edit about creating a home that reflects who you are, rather than who you think you're supposed to be.
Why a Home That Looks Like You?
I think one of the highest compliments you can give someone about their home is that it looks like them. And not necessarily because everything is perfectly coordinated or beautifully decorated, but because you can see something of the person who lives there. Maybe it's the artwork they've collected, the colors they've chosen, or the unusual object sitting on a shelf that makes you wonder where it came from.
I was recently asked by a journalist about the kinds of things you might find in the home of a people-pleaser. I was hesitant to associate particular objects or decorating styles with people-pleasing because, of course, you can't determine someone's whole personality just from the color of their walls or the furniture they own.
But the question got me thinking about something else. What happens when we decorate our homes according to what we actually enjoy rather than what we think other people will like?
The Psychology Behind It
Our homes are often said to be an extension of who we are. They provide opportunities to express our interests, preferences, memories, and the things we value. In environmental psychology, the relationship between identity and our surroundings is sometimes referred to as place identity. The places we inhabit can become part of how we understand ourselves, and the things we choose to surround ourselves with can help express that identity.
But creating a home that reflects us isn't always as straightforward as it sounds. We share our homes with other people, and their comfort and preferences matter too. We're also influenced by trends, the opinions of people around us, and ideas about what a beautiful home is supposed to look like. And there's nothing inherently wrong with considering those things— they could all be great sources of inspiration. The problem is when our own preferences become so secondary that we no longer recognize ourselves in the space, and maybe not anywhere.
Someone might choose a neutral paint color because they're worried a more expressive one will be criticized. They might keep an object they don't particularly like because it was a gift. Or they might furnish a room according to a style they admire in photographs, even though it doesn't really suit the way they live.
None of these decisions, on their own, tells us anything definitive about someone's personality, but I think they're worth considering. A home is one of the places where we have the opportunity to surround ourselves with things that mean something to us. And I think it’s important to make room for those things, even when they don't necessarily fit a particular decorating formula. That doesn't mean every object needs to have a profound story behind it. Sometimes you simply like a color, a shape, or a pattern, and those are great reasons too.
For this Edit, I wanted to explore different ways we can make our homes feel more like us. Through objects that tell stories, choices that reflect our tastes, things we can personalize, and pieces that remind us of where we've been or what interests us. A home that looks like you isn't necessarily one that follows a particular style, but it’s one where you've allowed yourself to make at least some of the choices.
The Collection
Image via Ayla Art Gallery onEtsy
Image via H and H Vintage Finds on Etsy
Small Food Still Life via Ayla Art Gallery
Customizable Artwork That Tells Your Story
I think artwork is best when it has a personal connection. Maybe it reminds you of a place you've visited, represents something about your culture, or captures an experience that means something to you. According to psychology, this is considered an identity anchor, objects that allow you see yourself reflected in a space, and ultimately helps you to feel a bond with it.
What I especially like about this Etsy artist is that you can make the artwork more personal. You can request a small change in color to an existing piece or have something entirely custom-made. So rather than simply choosing art that works with your room, you get to have a hand in creating something that tells your story.
Vintage Matchbook via H and H Vintage Finds
Little Pieces of History
There's something fascinating about old matchbooks. These little objects were once picked up at restaurants, hotels, bars, and other places, and many have throwback illustrations, lettering, and colors.
I love the idea of collecting and displaying them for guests who may be intrigued by visual history. And there's something nice about elevating these disposable souvenirs. It's a reminder that the things we choose to display don't have to be expensive or grand to say something about us.
Image via Over The Moon on Trulery
Image via Amanda Wells
Your Color, Your Way
I love these colored glasses, and the idea that something as simple as a classic wine glass can bring a little personality to a table. What I like about these glasses is the opportunity to choose a color that appeals to you. Maybe you're drawn to something bright and playful, or perhaps you prefer a softer, more understated shade.
There's no one right choice. And that's part of the point of this Edit. Even the everyday objects we use can be opportunities to express our personal tastes. Making a home look like you doesn’t have to feel intimidating. It can start with something as simple as choosing your favorite color.
(Trulery may earn a commision from products purchased through this link.)
Change Your Mind
I love the playful, flower-like shape of Amanda Wells's Petal Linen pendant, especially the option to rearrange the six fabric-covered petals. You can change their positions to create different color combinations or add new petals when you're in the mood for something different.
I really like the idea of having something in your home that can change along with you because you might love one arrangement today and want to try something completely different later. It’s a great way to make an object your own.
Image via Amazon
Image via Bauble Bar
Image via Home Studyo
The House Romantic by Haskell Harris
A House Full of Stories
I came across The House Romantic by Haskell Harris, and it feels particularly fitting for this Edit. The book explores how our homes can reflect the people, places, and experiences that have shaped us. Through photographs of Harris's home and those of other creatives and designers, it considers what makes a home meaningful beyond simply being beautifully decorated.
I love looking through interior books that show creative ways to display objects that feel personal, maybe something that reflects their interests, memories, and the things they've collected over time. I think it’s important for books to encourage us to think about our homes in new ways, rather than simply giving us another look to recreate.
Bauble Bar Ombre Name Custom Blanket
Put Your Name on It
With Bauble Bar's personalized blankets, your name becomes a prominent visual feature, and nothing makes a home feel like you more than having objects with your name on it. You get to choose how your name appears, and I like that personalization doesn't have to feel traditional or overly sentimental. It can be bold, colorful, and fun.
(Trulery may earn a commision from products purchased through this link.)
A Matter of Finish
Home Studyo's Oscar vase is full of whimsy. Its rounded, inflated-looking shape gives it an almost cartoon-like quality. But what interests me for this Edit is how differently the same object can feel depending on its finish.
Oscar comes in different colors and both matte and glossy finishes. A glossy surface catches and reflects light, making the shape feel more pronounced, while a matte finish gives it a softer, hand-made appearance. So two people could be drawn to exactly the same vase but choose completely different versions. Even something as simple as deciding between shiny and matte can be an opportunity to express your own taste.
A Closer Look
A home that reflects its owner doesn't necessarily have to make sense to anyone else.
You might love a particular color that someone else would never choose. You might display an object that has very little monetary value but means a great deal to you. Or you might combine things from different periods and styles simply because you enjoy them together.
And our preferences change over time, too. I think there's something freeing about allowing a home to reflect those different parts of ourselves, rather than feeling we have to commit to one perfect look. Since we grow and change, our homes should too.
Try This…
Look around your home. Choose three things that feel particularly representative of you. What is it about them that makes them feel personal?
Think about a choice you've been putting off. Is there a color, pattern, or object you love but have hesitated to bring home because you're worried what someone else might think?
Reconsider something you're keeping out of obligation. Is it there because you genuinely enjoy it, or because you feel guilty letting it go?
Make something your own. Add a trim, change a finish, paint a pattern, or find another small way to put your personal touch on an object.
Give yourself permission to change your mind. Your home doesn't have to reflect one permanent version of you.
