Defining your personal interior decor style is a marathon, not a sprint. Unfortunately, we don’t just wake up one day with a crystal clear vision of what we want our life and surroundings to look like. Personal interior design style evolves over time, shaped by life, travel experiences, building confidence, or learning our likes/dislikes.

Luckily, there are little shortcuts you can take to help move that process along. Who better to help break it down for us than celebrity interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Bullard’s eclectic, colorful, and global approach to interior design has helped his impressive roster of A-list clients (like Cher, Gwen Stefani, and the Kardashians) create the homes of their dreams through the lens of their own aesthetic. Want to know how to discover your personal interior design style? We’ve compiled Bullard’s tried-and-true tips for creating an inspiring space that feels at home. 

List What You Love

Danieli Teal Multicolor

“Sit and think about the things you love, that you've seen somewhere, and make a list,” Bullard tells us. It may feel like you’re drawing a blank at first, so try thinking broadly as you get your brain used to remembering the details — like travel destinations you loved, the hotels you’ve stayed at, and then pinpoint what you liked about them. Or, head to the magazine rack. Look at what catches your eye and list it out. “Once you look at that list, you'll see that there are certain things you have written several times, maybe with different descriptives, and you’ll start to realize what you want in your own home,” Bullard adds. 

Get Out and About

Sumaya Soft Black

One of the core tenets of Bullard’s personal style is incorporating travel memories. “Go travel, see the world, see the town next town over. Whatever it is, that's the way that inspiration is formed,” Bullard explains. While jetting off to another country would be an easy way to rack up some inspiring experience points, it doesn’t have to be some elegant destination to reap the benefits of one. Saving mementos from impromptu day trips or weekend excursions can glean just as much inspiration, so long as you’re looking for it. 

Let Comfort Lead

Amira Green Rug

“Comfort is the number one key to luxury in today's world,” declares Bullard. We rest, play, dine, host, and sometimes work from our homes, so it’s important to prioritize comfort. But comfort tastes can also help dictate style. Is the calming serenity of cool tones your vibe, or do you feel most yourself surrounded by the energizing power of vibrant red and pink palettes? What textiles and textures do you enjoy the feel of? Maybe you prefer lightweight cotton and linen over velvet and silk. Do you like to lay or play on the floor? Perhaps a plush rug texture would make that more enjoyable. A comfortable environment can create a sense of safety that’s equally relaxing and rejuvenating. 

Start Somewhere Small

Kian Red

You don’t need to dive straight into the deep end when shifting your decor to better match your personal decor style. As Bullard puts it, the “smallest room in the house often creates great impact.” And his favorite room to start with? Your bathroom. “It's a really fun place to sort of show a bit of your personality. Because you close the door on it, it doesn't affect the rest of your living space — so it's a really wonderful place to start an experiment.” So if you love the look of patterned wallpaper or jewel tones, test it out in a room that isn’t used by others or for congregating like the bathroom or even a home office. 

Now that you’re ready to express your personal decor style, the best way to refresh a space starts with a rug. Find new inspiration and make a statement with our Martyn Lawrence Bullard collection of globally-inspired, comfort-first rugs.