6 Ways to Personalize a Room Addition to Reflect Your Style
Personalizing a room addition is an exciting opportunity to showcase your unique style and preferences. This article explores innovative ways to create a space that truly reflects your personality and interests. Drawing from insights provided by experts in interior design and architecture, readers will discover practical tips and creative ideas for customizing their new living areas.
- Blend Natural Materials with Personal Memories
- Transform Rooftops into Cultural Oases
- Showcase Sports Passion in Meaningful Details
- Infuse Desert Energy with Family Personality
- Design Welcoming Spaces for Patient Comfort
- Balance Minimalism and Nature in Decor
Blend Natural Materials with Personal Memories
How did you personalize your new room addition to reflect your style and interests?
When designing my own room addition, I approached it from a slightly different angle and focused on natural materials that had always felt authentic to my everyday living—things that actually looked better with wear, rather than just getting worn. For instance, I selected wide-plank white oak flooring with a matte oil finish that patinas nicely and narrates a story as it transforms over time. The walls were treated with a limewash, not just for texture, but to bring comfort in an old-world, grounded manner, which often gets lost in newer builds.
I constructed a custom cabinet wall with open shelving built in above closed storage. I designed it myself to contain a mix of design books, vintage cameras I have picked up on travels, and a few ceramic pieces my daughter created. It was practical but deeply personal; it became the room's focal point. The electrical work was another area where I went off course a bit. I added layered lighting with dimmable sconces and recessed LEDs on two different circuits for control of mood depending on the time of day.
In other words, personalization begins at the place where function intersects with memory. If you're designing for yourself, consider what objects and materials evoke good memories or feelings for you, and then how you might integrate those with permanent aspects — more than a painting, a wall color, or a throw pillow can provide. Construct the bones around what you love.
What design choices or decorative elements did you incorporate, and what advice would you give to others?
I also tried to collect items for the space over a period of time, beyond the architecture. I did not buy it all at once. For instance, the reclaimed walnut slab I transformed into a window bench: I got it at a lumberyard in Oregon and stained and sealed it myself with a hard wax oil. That bench is where I sit with my son in the evening, reading. It was less expensive than its store-bought equivalents and infinitely more meaningful.
I'd also suggest steering clear of oversupplying if resale value is a worry — but not playing it too safe. A vivid paint color, a textured ceiling, or reclaimed tile in a niche can suggest a room with a point of view. My advice: Consider your favorite spaces you've been in, not just what you've seen on Pinterest. Then work toward how you want the room to feel, not just how you want it to look.
Transform Rooftops into Cultural Oases
I transformed a bland rooftop into one of the most sought-after features in our Mexico City rentals—simply by blending local culture with modern functionality.
When we redesigned our Roma Norte penthouse, I converted a forgotten rooftop into a shaded oasis with a custom-built concrete bar, locally crafted tilework, and native plants like agave and lavender to reflect Mexican heritage. I added dimmable string lighting and a Sonos speaker system to make it the perfect spot for evening gatherings—whether for a couple's getaway or a group of digital nomads.
This wasn't just a renovation. It was a strategic move that increased booking rates by over 20% during shoulder seasons. Travelers are craving authenticity and atmosphere—they want more than four walls and a bed.
My advice? Design with purpose. Think about how your space will be used, not just how it will look. And don't be afraid to integrate hyperlocal materials or artists. Your space should tell a story. That's what turns a good rental into an unforgettable one.
Showcase Sports Passion in Meaningful Details
As someone who's always balancing my passion for sports, community, and real estate, I personalized my new room addition by hanging framed football memorabilia from my days of coaching and playing, and adding a comfortable reading nook with books about teamwork and leadership. Bringing in touches from my Michigan roots—like local artwork and a classic Detroit Lions cap on the shelf—makes the space genuinely mine. My advice: choose a few elements that tie back to what drives you, whether it's career accomplishments, hometown pride, or hobbies; those little details make your space both inviting and meaningful.
Infuse Desert Energy with Family Personality
Growing up in Las Vegas, I wanted my room addition to capture a bit of that vibrant desert energy and my family's personality, so I leaned into bold colors, custom art from local artists, and a mini display of vintage Las Vegas memorabilia—think old casino chips and quirky neon signs. I also carved out a cozy reading nook for my daughters and installed smart LED lighting inspired by my engineering background. My best advice: blend functional features that fit your lifestyle with decorative elements that tell your personal story—it's those unexpected touches that make a new space genuinely yours.
Design Welcoming Spaces for Patient Comfort
My home office addition became a blueprint for Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice design—warm wood accents, natural lighting, and comfortable seating that eliminates the sterile hospital feel patients dread. I incorporated built-in bookshelves displaying medical journals alongside personal interests, showing patients I'm both knowledgeable and human. The key design choice was creating conversation areas rather than intimidating desk barriers, similar to how successful DPC practices arrange furniture to encourage open dialogue.
Natural elements like plants and soft textures reduce anxiety, which I've replicated in every DPC office I've consulted on. My advice is to design spaces that reflect your authentic self while serving your purpose—patients connect with physicians who show personality through their environment. The investment in thoughtful design pays dividends in patient comfort and trust, leading to better health outcomes and stronger therapeutic relationships. That's how care is brought back to patients.
Balance Minimalism and Nature in Decor
When I added a new room to my home, I wanted it to reflect my love for both modern minimalism and nature. I chose a neutral color palette for the walls and added wooden furniture and green plants to bring in warmth and life. I used a large, cozy rug and soft lighting to create a welcoming, relaxed vibe. One key design choice was using open shelving to display a mix of books, art, and travel souvenirs, which adds personality and keeps the space functional. My advice to others is to start with a clean, simple base and gradually add pieces that tell your story, whether it's through colors, textures, or objects that have sentimental value. Personalizing a space is about making it feel comfortable and uniquely yours, so don't be afraid to mix styles and experiment with what feels right.
