how to narrow in on your room's style

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I’ve recently been diving into some home design MasterClass courses, aiming to deepen my skills in home decorating and design. While I don’t have a formal education in the field or design, its something I love to learn about & share!

In Joanna Gaines’ course, she shares a practice that’s stuck with me: when she meets with a client, she asks them to come up with three words to describe how they want their space to feel. These three words act as a guiding light for every design decision that follows.

Sometimes, these words don’t come immediately to mind. This is where a bit of creative exploration helps. I would recommend turning to Pinterest to create a board filled with inspiration for the space you’re looking to transform. Once you’ve curated a collection of images, a theme often begins to emerge. Words like “moody,” “light & airy,” “cozy,” “timeless,” “vibrant,” or “earthy” might surface. These words can help you zero in on how you want your space to feel.

I love this practice because it fosters intentionality in design. Once you’ve identified your three keywords, they can guide what you bring into a space and help you recognize what might not be serving your vision and should be removed. For example, if I want to create a “light and airy” bedroom with a “calming” and “coastal” vibe, I’ll likely steer clear of dark, bulky furniture. Instead, I might choose light colors, natural wood tones, and soothing blues. Similarly, if I want a “collected” feel in a room, I’d look for thrifted pieces rather than buying everything new.

In our primary bedroom, I settled on the words “cozy,” “fresh,” and “refined casual.”

Cozy: I want to add layers of soft, comfortable bedding—the kind you look forward to crawling into at the end of the day. A plush, medium-pile rug underfoot adding to the soft feel.
Fresh: I wanted the room to feel light and airy, with calming colors—for me, that means blues. I aimed for a space that felt awake and invigorating when the curtains were pulled back and the shades lifted.
Refined Casual: While I strive for every space in our home to be livable, I also appreciate a sense of refinement. This comes from intentionally creating a cohesive look that feels polished yet relaxed.

I have different sets of words for other spaces in our home, but for now, think about a space in your home that you’re looking to create or transform. What three words describe how you want that space to feel when it’s functioning at its best? Write them down and let those words guide your decisions—whether it’s about new purchases or letting go of items that don’t align with your vision.

I’d love to hear from you. Share in the comments what space you’re focusing on next and the three words you’ve chosen.