Become Your Own Interior Designer | Building Confidence in Your Design Choices: A Beginner’s Guide

One of the most intimidating parts of interior design is often the fear of making the wrong choices. From selecting colours to picking furniture, it’s easy to second-guess yourself and feel overwhelmed by all the decisions that come with creating a cohesive space. But here’s the thing: building confidence in your design choices is easier than you think, and with a little practice, you can become your own interior designer.

Building confidence in your design choices is easier than you think.

In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore why becoming your own interior designer is not only empowering but also creatively fulfilling and cost-effective. We’ll also provide tips on how you can start building the confidence you need to design a home that reflects your style.

Why You Should Become Your Own Interior Designer

1. You Have a Unique Vision

Nobody knows your style, preferences, and lifestyle better than you. Professional designers are great at what they do, but they can’t fully capture the personal nuances that make a space feel like home to you. By becoming your own interior designer, you have the opportunity to create a space that reflects your personality and tastes.

You already have the foundation for great design: your sense of style! Whether you prefer minimalist designs, bohemian comfort, or a mix of modern and vintage, your home should reflect what makes you happy. The key to building confidence in your design choices is trusting your instincts and embracing the fact that you are the expert when it comes to your home.

2. It’s More Accessible Than You Think

Many people assume that creating a beautifully designed home requires formal training or years of experience, but the truth is that anyone can become their own interior designer with the right guidance. You don’t need a degree to curate a space you love, you just need the willingness to experiment, learn, and build your confidence step by step.

Taking control of your home’s design allows you to explore your creativity and develop your own design skills. With resources like online tutorials, design blogs, and courses, you can gain the knowledge and tools to make informed, confident decisions. Becoming your own designer is an achievable goal, no matter where you’re starting from.

3. Complete Creative Freedom

When you become your own interior designer, you have total creative freedom. There are no rules that you have to follow, no design trends that you must adhere to, and no professional whose preferences might overshadow your own. You get to decide what works best for your space, from the colours on the walls to the layout of your furniture.

When you become your own interior designer, you have total creative freedom.

This freedom allows you to design your home on your terms, reflecting your personal tastes and lifestyle. You’ll also gain the flexibility to make changes whenever you feel like it, whether it’s rearranging furniture, updating decor, or trying out a new trend, without waiting on a professional or adhering to their timelines.

4. Save Time and Money

Hiring a professional designer can be expensive, with fees that include consultations, design plans, and project management. Additionally, professional designers often recommend high-end materials or custom-made furniture, which can significantly increase your costs. By becoming your own interior designer, you can control your budget and make cost-effective choices without sacrificing style.

Designing your home yourself also saves time. Instead of waiting for a designer to draw up plans or manage the timeline of your project, you can take control and move at your own pace. Whether you want to make small updates over time or complete an entire room redesign, the choice is entirely up to you.

Tips for Building Confidence in Your Design Choices

1. Start Small

If you’re new to interior design, it can be helpful to start small. Rather than redesigning an entire room at once, focus on one element at a time, whether it’s choosing new throw pillows for your living room or selecting a colour scheme for your bedroom.

If you’re new to interior design, it can be helpful to start small.

Starting with small projects allows you to build confidence in your decisions without feeling overwhelmed. As you see your design choices come to life, you’ll feel more empowered to tackle bigger projects and make bolder decisions.

2. Create a Mood Board

Mood boards are a fantastic tool for visualizing your ideas before committing to them. Gather images of furniture, colours, and decor that inspire you, and place them together to get a sense of how they’ll look in your space. This step helps you see how different elements work together and gives you confidence in your choices before you start buying.

You can create a physical mood board with magazine clippings or an online version using platforms like Pinterest. The goal is to experiment with different styles and concepts until you find something that feels right.

3. Trust Your Instincts

One of the biggest barriers to confident decision-making is the fear of getting it “wrong.” But in interior design, there are no fixed rules and what matters most is how a space makes you feel. If you love a particular colour, pattern, or piece of furniture, trust your instincts and go for it.

Remember, your home is your personal space, and what works for you might not follow the latest trends or appeal to everyone else. The more you trust your taste, the more confidence you’ll build in your design choices.

4. Learn by Doing

Confidence comes with practice, and the best way to build your design skills is by diving in and experimenting. Rearrange your furniture to create a new layout, try a bold colour on an accent wall, or refresh a room with new decor. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as each choice you make is an opportunity to learn what works best for your space.

Confidence comes with practice, and the best way to build your design skills is by diving in and experimenting.

The more you experiment and engage with the design process, the more confidence you’ll gain in your abilities. Over time, you’ll find that making design decisions becomes second nature.

5. Seek Inspiration, Not Perfection

While it’s important to seek inspiration from design blogs, social media, or home decor magazines, it’s just as important to avoid falling into the perfection trap. Your home doesn’t need to look like a magazine spread to be beautiful. Focus on creating a space that feels authentic to you: one that makes you happy, comfortable, and at peace.

By letting go of perfectionism and embracing the joy of the design process, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to make choices that align with your style and needs.

In Conclusion

Building confidence in your design choices is about trusting your instincts, experimenting with different ideas, and remembering that your home is YOUR space! As you gain experience and see your ideas come to life, you’ll find that becoming your own interior designer is not only possible but deeply rewarding.

For those who are ready to dive deeper into the world of interior design, The Self-Taught Designers Hub offers the 'Discover the Designer in You' Masterclass - a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything you need to begin your journey. Produced by a self-taught interior designer with over 20 years of professional industry experience, this masterclass is the next step in turning your creativity into real-world skills. It will empower you to transform your home with confidence and ease. Plus, there are FREE resources available to help you get started right away!

Happy designing from all of us at the Self-Taught Designers Hub!