The First Step Designing a Room (that no one talks about)

If you’re struggling to get started on your home design projects and getting totally drowned in paint colours and furniture options, you’re likely missing this key ingredient…

Your own design brief.

Before I became an interior designer, I used to scroll endlessly through Pinterest and Instagram, saving stunning rooms and pinning dreamy interiors—but when it came time to make decisions for my own space, I was stuck. I didn’t know where to start.

After I retrained as an interior designer I learnt the importance setting a clear brief. What became more apparent was when I ask clients about their preferred design styles - I was often met with a very wide-eyed silence.

I started to really hone down on this aspect of creating personal interiors, I made it my mission to create a process that helped people cut through the trends, the overwhelm and create their own unique design style. It really is something that no one seems to talk about?

I now use my signature 4-step system to help my clients define their own Interior Design Style (because everyone’s is unique!).

The more I work with people and see them confused about where to start with a home renovation, I honestly believe this is the most essential first step for any home makeover or design project —whether you’re updating your bedroom, redesigning your living room, or planning an entire home. 

Below is my 4-step signature process that you can follow to help you start your renovation right.

(And, if you want to dive deeper, I’ve created a free guide to hand-hold you through my process. You’ll get interactive prompts for each step and a free Canva template so you can take action and create your very own Design Style mood board).

Step 1: Set the Mood
Design is more than just how a space looks—it’s how it makes you feel. This is where I always begin. What kind of energy do you want in your room? Calm and restful? Energising and uplifting? Warm and sociable? Getting clear on this emotional intention is key—it becomes your north star and influences every choice that follows

Step 2: Work with What You’ve Got
Before diving into Pinterest, take a moment to look around your home. What pieces do you already love? Is there a painting you adore, a jumper you feel great in, or a vintage lamp that makes you smile? These items already reflect your taste and values—they’re perfect starting points for your design. I call this design from within—it’s all about building from what already feels right.

Step 3: Gather Inspiration (Thoughtfully)
Now we can look outward. Start gathering images that reflect the mood you want to create—but don’t limit yourself to interiors. Inspiration can come from a whole host of places. Look a little broader at things like nature, architecture, a favourite café, or even your last holiday. What textures, colours, and details catch your eye? This is about finding images that evoke a feeling for you - not just pretty pictures.

Step 4: Pull it Together (figuratively - not literally!)
Once you’ve gathered a good mix of inspiration, it’s now time to refine. You’re going to create a mood board that feels cohesive and emotionally aligned. Whether it’s a Canva collage or a physical scrapbook, your mood board will end up being your visual brief. It’s something that you can carry around with you as you progress through your room design. It will help you avoid random impulse purchases and keep your design intentional and personal to you.

If I know one thing, this is the phase most people skip—but it really is the most important part. 

If you can invest a small amount of time upfront to understand how you want your space to feel and what you’re truly drawn to, you’ll create a room that feels uniquely yours. 

So, if you’re ready to dive in and start pulling your ideas together, I walk you through my exact process step-by-step in my free workbook. I’ve even included bonus Canva templates for you to create your very own Design Style Mood Board.

Click here to get your free guide now!

No more copying someone else’s style. No more doom scrolling. No more confusion. 

This is about designing from within and creating a home that actually reflects you. 

Katie Tamsin x