How Storytelling Can Help You Design A More Intentional Home

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Everyone has a story to tell, but unless you're an artist or write memoirs for a living, it can be hard to find the right medium to share it. But believe it or not, you already have a canvas ready and waiting to be filled with your favorite memories and your own unique narrative: your home. It's easy to take home decor for granted and simply fill your house with what's trendy or fashionable, but by choosing more personal decor, and even by timing your purchases correctly, you can design a house that tells the story of where you've been and where you're going.

Instead of filling your home with random knickknacks and decor items that have little personal significance to you, allowing your own story to lead your design decisions can help you create a home that feels more intentional. Marie Kondo famously says you should only keep things in your home that "spark joy," and while this manta can prevent clutter from accumulating, a similar mindset can also help you create a space that's full of meaning. Maybe that means embracing your family's culture, religion, or heritage with heirlooms that tell the story of your past; or maybe it looks like showing off photographs and prints of the places you hope to travel in the future. Whatever you choose to share on your shelves and walls, by letting your own memories, interests, and evolving narrative dictate your decor, you can craft a home that feels more mindful and true to you.

When it comes to picking paint colors, lean into your favorites rather than letting color trends dictate your choices. And instead of filling your home's walls with stock prints and paintings, try to find pieces that relate to your interests or hobbies. For example, if you love hiking or feel most at peace in the mountains, hang artwork in your home that depicts those types of settings rather than a generic beach print that may look trendy but doesn't speak to you in the same way. 

And when it's time to spend money on stuff for your home, timing can make a big difference! At the right moment, even seemingly mundane purchases like furniture can feel connected to you and your story every time you look at them. Meik Wiking, who popularized hygge decor with his famous "The Little Book of Hygge," suggests linking big purchases to happy milestones. "I had saved money for a new favorite chair but waited until I had published my first book to get it," Wiking wrote in his book. "That way, the chair reminds me of something that was an important accomplishment for me."

You should also let your memories take center stage. Rather than keeping photos on your phone or beloved mementos stashed away in a box, display them as home decor. HGTV's "Fixer Upper" star Joanna Gaines displays keepsakes in a unique way by creating glass boxes to showcase little memories that bring her joy, such as treasured photographs and tiny notes from her children. Or if you're particularly passionate about a certain sports team, tastefully framing some cherished memorabilia or the ticket stub from a favorite game will mean a lot more to you than even the most expensive high-brow painting.