"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us." - Winston Churchill
Picture this: You walk into a home and feel something before your brain catches up. Maybe it’s warmth. Maybe it’s chaos. Maybe it’s…confusion? That’s because every room tells a story—even if it’s not the one you meant to tell.
If your space feels off, it’s not about the wrong paint colour. It’s that your story got lost in translation. Let’s fix that.
What is storytelling in interior design?
It’s not just about what’s in your space, it’s about what your space says about you.
Storytelling in interior design is the intentional use of colours, textures, furniture, lighting, layout, and meaningful objects to reflect your unique identity, history, values, and lifestyle.
In short: it's designing your space so that it feels like you, even before someone asks where you got your couch.
Just like a good story has a beginning, middle, and end, your home should have a cohesive visual and emotional flow. That doesn’t mean everything needs to match or follow strict rules—it means your space has purpose, personality, and connection.
Why storytelling in your interiors matters:
It gives your space meaning beyond trends.
It creates an emotional connection (hello, comfort).
It tells your story—before you even say a word.
For example, I have an A2-size framed poster of Taz, the main character of the 1990s cartoon Taz-Mania, which was popular on Cartoon Network. It doesn't match anything else in my home, besides showcasing my creative side.
Everyone who sees that poster in my living room instinctively associates it with me. It helps them feel more comfortable in my space because of the relationship they have with me.
When storytelling drives your design, each item has a reason to be there. You stop decorating for “likes” and start curating a space that feels right to you because it is you.
Myths that could be killing your style
If your home doesn't match your personality, chances are you've focused your design style purely on how it looks and functions, but not on how it feels. Let's break them down.
Myth 1 - I need everything to match
The urge to match your furniture and decor items can be doing a more disservice to your style than you know. It produces a lifeless aesthetic that feels more like a showroom than an individual living space.
Instead, consider mixing materials and textures with different styles. Ensure your mixing and matching is harmonious, and this is where design elements like colour, light, and form come into play.
Myth 2 - I should copy what's trendy
Trends are usually short-lived, but your personality is not. We've all been there, scrolling Instagram and Pinterest, saving every all-white interior photo because it's in style. While it might look good at the moment, trends expire.
Falling into the algorithm trap will leave you constantly feeling unsatisfied with your space.
Ask yourself, what do I like, with or without social approval?" It could be bold art, vintage knickknacks, or a furniture piece from your childhood. Let your life's story be the constant - it will make your interiors timeless.
Myth 3 - Design is just colours, furniture, and pillows
The reality is that design, art, and architecture are beyond aesthetics. They are emotional and sensory, they tell stories, shape perceptions, and reflect our zeitgeist.
Think of your space beyond its looks and into the experience. How does it make you feel?
This is what experiential design is about. You want a bedroom that helps you relax into a good night's sleep. Does its colours, lighting, ambience, soft furnishing, and acoustics calm you or make you anxious?
Myth 4- Interior design is expensive
A space that tells your story doesn't need a luxury price tag - it only needs intention! Some of the most meaningful design elements come from flea markets, travel, hand-me-downs, or DIY projects.
Start with what you already have. Rearrange it, repaint it, upcycle old pieces, or DIY. Add meaning to your design choices, instead of just acquiring stuff. Design is an investment in creating a meaningful environment, which can be affordable with the right approach.
Storytelling with experiential design
Unlike traditional design, which primarily focuses on aesthetics and function, experiential design aims to evoke emotion and tell stories to enhance how we experience interior spaces. The key elements of experiential interior design include:
Sensory engagement with textures, colours, lighting, and sounds that stimulate the senses.
Personal connection to reflect the identity, preferences, and lifestyle of the occupants.
Narrative and storytelling with elements that tell a story or convey a theme, making the space memorable and meaningful.
Emotional response by considering how design impacts emotions and experiences.
Functional flow by ensuring that the layout supports the activities and interactions of the space, enhancing usability and comfort.
Experiential design begins with how a space will feel and function. It prioritizes emotion, flow, and everyday rituals so that the space supports, not just decorates, your life.
TLDR:
If your space doesn't feel like you, it's not a lack of taste but a lack of storytelling. Here's the recap:
What you learned:
Storytelling in interior design helps infuse your lifestyle and values into your spaces with colour, meaningful decor pieces, and layout.
Common myths, including following trends, matching decor items, or focusing on aesthetics, can disconnect you from your unique design style.
Experiential design puts you at the centre of your space, using your lifestyle, emotions, and memories to guide your design style.
Quick action steps:
Identify key moments in your daily routine to design around. For example, your passion for cooking or wind-down routine.
Curate meaningful decor objects, like travel souvenirs or DIY projects, that tell your story in design.
Use lighting, scent, sound, texture, and personal rituals to shape how your space feels.
Mix styles intentionally to showcase personality in your design.
Ready to start creating a space that feels like your own?
Download your free copy of The Essential Guide to Experiential Interior Design and get the tools you need to transform your interiors into spaces that tell your story.
Check out the recent Redfin article we were featured in:
There’s something magical about having a dedicated spot to unwind with a good book. Whether you’re transforming an awkward corner, an empty closet, or a sunny windowsill, a well-designed reading nook can instantly add comfort, personality, and purpose to your home.
In this Redfin article, we’ll walk you through how to create a stylish and functional reading nook—whether you’re sprucing up your home in Portland, OR or designing your dream corner in Savannah, GA.
Reading Nook Ideas: How to Create a Cozy Spot in Any Room | Redfin (Parent company of ApartmentGuide and Rent.)
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