The Art of Making It Yours—Without Making It a Yard Sale with Walls
Let’s face it: we all want a home that reflects who we are. But sometimes, in the noble pursuit of self-expression, we end up with something that looks less like “curated charm” and more like “Etsy threw up.”
Personalizing your space is essential. Your home should whisper your story… not scream it in 87 fonts. But the line between charmingly eclectic and dangerously chaotic is thin.
Let’s talk about how to actually make your space feel like yours… without turning it into a decorative hostage situation.
Step 1: Know Thyself (And Thy Square Footage)
Photo from @_ranagunes_ on Instagram
First things first: personalization does not require filling every horizontal surface with “stuff.”
Space is often limited and our living rooms often double as yoga studios, dinner party zones, and makeshift campaign headquarters.
Ask yourself:
- What do I really want my space to say?
- “I’m well-traveled” (not “I smuggled a souvenir shop through customs”)
- “I’m artistic” (not “I own every Crayola product ever made”)
- “I’m cozy” (not “I live inside a pile of wool blankets”)
Step 2: Prioritize Meaning Over Volume
From @hudsonandcrane on Instagram
Every item in your space should earn its place. Don’t just display things because you can. Display them because they matter.
What Works:
- A framed photo of your grandma and her award-winning pie recipe.
- That quirky ceramic bowl you found at the farmers’ market.
- A worn map of Baltimore you used on your first solo trip.
What to Skip:
- Displaying every candle Bath & Body Works has ever released.
- Multiple mugs that say, “But First, Coffee”.
- Multiple wooden signs reminding you to “Dream Big” (do it—but we don’t need it in font form).
Hot Tip: Try the “hotel nightstand test.” If it feels like something that would be left in a hotel by accident, it doesn’t need to live in your home.
Step 3: Rotate, Don’t Accumulate
Photo from @lieks_home on Instagram
You wouldn’t wear your entire wardrobe at once (unless you’re Joey Tribbiani), so why do we try to display every keepsake we’ve ever owned at the same time?
Pro move: Create a home accessory rotation.
- Swap out framed prints seasonally.
- Rotate decorative pillows and throws.
- Keep a small storage bin for off-cycle décor.
These steps let your space feel fresh—without having to throw a “stuff intervention.”
Step 4: Layering is Your Friend (But – the Cool One)
Photo from @troidesignstudio on Instagram
Personalizing your space is like making a great cocktail: it’s all about layers. But too many layers, and suddenly you’re drinking a room-temperature soup of conflicting flavors.
What Works:
- A textured throw on a leather armchair.
- A family heirloom rug beneath a modern coffee table.
- A gallery wall mixing personal photos with abstract art.
What to Skip:
- A candleholder on a stack of books on a tray on a doily on a table runner. This isn’t a nesting doll competition.
Step 5: Embrace Blank Space (Taylor Swift Would Approve)
Photo from @hudsonandcrane on Instagram
Design confession: Blank space is not your enemy.
In fact, it might just be your best-kept secret weapon. Walls, shelves, and surfaces need room to breathe—just like you after walking up the Metro escalator at Rosslyn.
Let your eyes rest between visual statements. It’s the difference between “tasteful collection” and “I hoard knick-knacks and I’m not afraid to show it.”
Design hack: Use the one-in, one-out rule.
- If you bring in a new decorative item, remove (or rotate out) one. Keeps things lean and meaningful.
Personality Pairings
Photo from @suush0me on Instagram
Here’s how to let your personality shine through without overcrowding your space—which one do you relate to most?
The Diplomatic Maximalist
You love global flair, statement bookshelves, and hosting political debates over artisan cheese. Let your space reflect your cultural cachet without resembling an ambassador’s office in 1974.
- Try: A globally-inspired accent chair + curated travel artifacts on a minimalist console
- Skip: A world map mural + matching globe + “Namaste” spelled out in wooden letters
The Quirky Collector
You are nothing if not eclectic. Your style is bold, artsy, and unapologetically weird in the best way.
- Try: A neon crab print, repurposed antique mirror, and pops of locally made art
- Skip: Displaying everything you’ve ever found at your favorite vintage shop—pick your favorites and rotate!
- Bonus: Flea markets are full of unique finds—just don’t buy all of them.
The Cozy Curator
You crave warm neutrals, functional style, and a space that says, “yes, I do own monogrammed hand towels.”
- Try: Personalized touches like a framed wedding invitation or custom calligraphy of your favorite quote
- Skip: Too many lanterns, decorating in, all beige, and all asking, “Is it fall yet?”
- Tip: Keep it grounded with organic textures like jute rugs and woven baskets—but resist the urge to fill every basket with “decorative filler.” It’s a basket, not a black hole.
Final Flourishes That Feel Personal (Without the Clutter)
From @dwellinganddesign on Instagram
Want your space to scream you—but softly? Try these:
Custom Framing: Frame a postcard, handwritten recipe, or concert ticket. It’s meaningful, compact, and timeless.
Statement Lighting: One dramatic fixture can add personality and function. Hello, oversized drum pendant.
Colorful Accent Walls: A moody navy or playful olive green can say a lot—without taking up shelf space.
Scent Strategy: Pick one signature scent. Just one. You are not a Yankee Candle outlet.
From @conscienciacolorida on Instagram
Words on Walls That Aren’t Funny or Original
We’re just going to say it: If your living room still features a framed sign that says “But First, Coffee,” it’s time for an intervention.
- Skip generic typographic prints.
- Try custom quotes, local references, or vintage signage. Bonus points for inside jokes only you understand.
Baltimore Bonus: Flea markets like Second Chance often have old marquee letters or shop signs you can repurpose.
From @khuff_home on Instagram
Overdoing It with Scented Accessories
Candles. Diffusers. Incense. Wax warmers. Scented pine cones. Your nose is under siege.
- Skip using more than one scented item per room.
- Try a signature scent—like a clean citrus or woodsy note—and stick to it.
Pro tip: If your entryway smells like a Yankee Candle outlet exploded, your guests may lose their sense of smell and trust.
Keep It Playful, Keep It Personal
From @garancehomeco on Instagram
Accessorizing your home is like adding spice to a dish. A dash of color here, a quirky accent there, a statement piece that sparks joy (or at least conversation). It’s not about following rigid rules—it’s about crafting a space that feels like you.
So yes, go ahead and hang that oversized llama painting if it makes you laugh. But maybe skip the 47 decorative owls. (Unless you’re an ornithologist. Then accessorize away.)
In a region where political debates rage, traffic never sleeps, and seasons change faster than a Hill staffer’s coffee order, your home should be a sanctuary—not a source of stress. Keep it smart. Keep it funny. And always leave room for a little weird.
Let Hudson & Crane help you accessorize your home flawlessly.
Hudson & Crane is an interior designer in Washington, D.C. serving residential clients in D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia.