Many people describe home as the feeling of being protected and safe. That could mean feeling stable, being able to lean on something, or maybe finding a safe haven that shields us from the outside world. If your design personality is Security, you either seek that sense of assurance in your own life, or to provide that feeling to others.

Designing according to the Security personality is done using schemes and furniture that are stable and have a strong presence. Try incorporating earth tone flooring and thick walls in your design. Choose seating that is closer to the floor, like a sturdy, wide-based sofa with big cushions to feel grounded in a strong foundation.

The Design Personality of Flow appreciates being spontaneous and adaptable to new situations. You are probably open to opinions, ideas, and cultures that are different to yours. Having a Flow Design Personality means you need undulating movement or the sense of this movement around you.

Using materials with the qualities of water—transparency and shine, for example—is a good way to express Flow. Furniture that is spread out and sits away from the wall, as well as light, see-through curtains offer alternative ways to create a sense of movement, and they allow air to flow generously in a living space.

The Softness Design Personality appeals to warm, empathetic people who enjoy accommodating others. It also suits those who are drawn to such characteristics in their partner, their friends, or their home environment.

In a home based on Softness, we won’t see sharp corners, bold colors, or unusual geometric shapes. Colors have soft tones, cushions are plump, and accessories are round and obliging. Materials that convey a “lived in” feel will add touches of Softness to any room.

Power is a personality defined by a strong sense of self and a definitive core.  Power appeals to those who have a deep sense of what suits them, and who may often feel they know what is best for others as well. They are opinionated on most matters and have no problem expressing it, and they tend to make choices without seeking confirmation or approval of others. Hesitation is simply not part of their vocabulary.

A powerful home is one with a clear and consistent theme. It has a distinct feel to it and larger-than-usual elements. Some examples include a large or very long dining table, thick or ultra-thin legs for a sofa or table, and spaces that have clear and well-defined shapes. Avoid mixing small elements, and with whatever color you choose, go all the way and opt for deeper shades—a powerful home revels in drama! You can use dark red, orange, gray, brown, blue, or purple.

Having the Design Personality of Space means that the sensation of boundless freedom is as essential as the air you breathe. You might find yourself yearning to glide on wide horizons and rolling plains, and by imbuing your design with these feelings, you can create your sense of Home Being.

To achieve Space, allow air to flow freely within your living area. Implement clean design, light colors, and choose furniture which seems as though it might be floating rather than pieces that sit heavily on the surface. Hanging elements, glass, and thin horizontal lines are also used to give an airy-light feeling to design.

The Design Personality of Joy is suitable for those who see the glass as half-full and seek a happy surrounding to bring delight into their daily lives.

Those who revel in Joy need plenty of light around them, and they may feel distressed in places that lack sufficient color. A mix of bright colors, styles, and a certain level of casual disorder are perfect ways to bring cheer into a home.

The Design Personality of Control is right for those who want to feel like they are in command of their space. Control manifests in the ability to preside over one’s surroundings with nothing hidden from sight, to have the entire layout spread in front of you and see it as it is.

The Control Design Personality requires a wide space where everything can be seen and heard. This includes line of vision from the entrance of the home to all of its exits, open spaces without screens, and small openings in doors and walls from which we see light as an indicator when someone is there.

Growth is the Design Personality suited for people who revere change, development, and evolution.  Such individuals often place a strong emphasis on continually advancing their personal or professional lives, and they excel in what they do. They may even be willing to compromise some measure of security to pursue experiences that promise the chance for growth and progress. Whether the elements of change are subtle or bold, movement is always in the same direction—upward.

As you may have already guessed, the Design Personality of Growth is about height and vertical forms. People who seek growth tend to feel confined in a room with low, or even standard ceilings. High ceilings, tall doors and windows, the presence of wood, plants, and the color green, are all excellent ways to cultivate an atmosphere of progress and potential.

As children, we discover the world through touch, and for some lucky people, that childlike fascination with how things feel never fades away. They seek out the sensation of being enveloped by water, warm sun rays on bare skin, or walking barefoot on clean sand, a soft bed of grass, or a cool stone surface. If the touch of wood, fabric, clay, or stone excites you, emphasizing the presence and quality of earthy materials in your home will create an atmosphere you desire.

The Design Personality of Touch is based on evaluating the texture and feel of every object in a space. Earthy materials with strong presence that is perceived through touch, or even visually, are all suitable for this style.

The Design Personality of Elegance suits those whose style takes inspiration from traditional European design, which can be characterized as classical and timeless.  It is dignified and restrained, and it projects stability, wealth, culture, and good taste.  Everything in an elegant home is respectable and in its proper place.

Elegance can be achieved by hinting at the past—a grand vestibule, steps that take us from the entry into the living space, fine wooden furniture, brocade or silk upholstery, and patterns that suggest nobility. From floor to ceiling, the look is complete, finishes are precise, and everything is exactly where it should be.

The Design Personality we call Action suits those who are excited by change and motion and are repelled by mundane routine. The degree of Action is individual, ranging from a simple desire to shake things up a little, all the way to a vital need for extreme experiences and constant movement. If this is one of your dominant Design Personalities, then your sense of home requires a dynamic rhythm that resides somewhere along this spectrum.

Incorporating Action in your design could entail a complete transformation of your living space, or it could be simply replacing a piece of furniture or painting one wall in a bold color. Whatever the case may be, Action is achieved using motion and repetition.  Try taking one or several elements and repeating them—three pictures that together form one image, or several throw pillows on your sofa, for example. Diagonal lines also add a dynamic touch, and when combined with strong colors, the volume of Action increases.

The Design Personality of Spirituality usually attracts those who possess a strong intuition and act according to their gut feelings. It is a design that is clean and minimalist, yet full of atmosphere that inspires, such that it can be described as both empty and full at the same time.

One of the foundations of Spirituality is the connection between space and light. Skylights achieve the desired effect, as do ceiling light fixtures that are hidden from direct view with only the rays they emit remaining visible. Avoiding clutter is also essential—use a limited number of forms, and practice restraint when choosing how many objects will populate the room.