Crafting Meaningful Spaces: The Art of Storytelling in Interior Design
When designers talk about spaces that “tell a story,” it can sometimes sound like nonsense. After all, a home isn’t a movie or a Broadway set—its purpose is to be lived in, not to reflect a grandiose narrative. But the phrase persists. Is this just jargon masquerading as a design north star, or is there something more meaningful beneath the surface? And does every home really need a story?
Before answering that question, it’s important to think about where the idea of design as storytelling came from. Its roots trace back to disciplines like theater, architecture, and branding, where creating immersive experiences or coherent identities is essential. A theater set tells the audience where they are and what’s happening before a single actor speaks. The gilded entrance ways, grand staircases, and velvet drapery, help us understand that a movie hall is not simply an entrance into a functional space for picture projection, but the beginning of an elevated, wonder-filled experience. Similarly, a brand’s flagship store sells not only products but also the brand's values, it’s heritage and shows the customer who she might become when she steps through the door.
When applied to home interiors, though, the concept often becomes muddled. Does your foyer or mid-century modern living room really “tell a story,” or is it simply styled well? When a designer says a space reflects “continuity and timelessness" is that storytelling? or something else?
The truth is, storytelling in interiors doesn’t mean creating something as overt as Disney’s Star Wars hotel or the King’s theater in Brooklyn, NY. In residential design, storytelling is far subtler.
It’s hard to imagine elevating the movie-watching experience any more than this. The beautiful historic renovation of the Kings Theater in Brooklyn, NY
At its best, the phrase “telling a story” is shorthand for creating a space that feels intentional, personal, and meaningful. It’s not necessarily about creating a fantasy but about making a home feel immersive in its own way--by being deeply connected to its inhabitants, committed to a vision, and cohesive at every turn. That vision may be rooted in the values and needs of the inhabitants, or it may find inspiration in a photo (or two) or an idea from our collective imagination.
Regardless of where the spark comes from, translating a narrative and vision into reality requires a lot of thought and research. It's for this reason that designers (rather than decorators), may want to ask you personal questions, request to come to your home, or spend time doing other research at the start of an engagement--they are looking to craft a story that is uniquely suited to you, the experiences you've had, how you live, and what inspires you.
Style, Concept, and Mood: Key Elements of Interior Storytelling
To understand storytelling’s role in interiors, it’s also helpful to distinguish it from more well-known ideas like concept, style, and mood, which designers also help clients determine.
- Style: Style refers to the aesthetic language of the space—mid-century modern, transitional, contemporary, industrial, art deco, bauhaus etc. Style defines how a space looks, but it doesn’t necessarily tell a deeper story or act as a guide for determining what fixtures or furniture to select or exclude.
- Concept: A concept is the guiding idea behind a design, like "modern sustainability," "futuristic minimalism," "Timeless Heritage." With a concept in mind, you can begin to frame in your mind some idea or options of what a space might look like once the concept is brought to life. The concept informs material choices and priorities but doesn’t necessarily create a fully defined design informed by a personal connection to the client.
- Mood: Mood is about how a space makes you feel. Utilizing spatial planning, lighting, smells, art work, and color, a space can feel cozy, cool and relaxing, serene, dramatic, or exciting.
With a vision and narrative, designers weave these chosen elements into a powerful North Star for the project that feels personal and purposeful. The narrative becomes the mission for the client and the designer together and acts as a check on every decision made in the space. Does the decision contribute to or support the narrative? If not, you may choose to reconsider and find an option that does.
Do All Homes Need a Story? Blending Functionality and Narrative in Design
You may be asking yourself...But does every house really need a story to be a design success? Don't some homes simply need to function well and look beautiful? The short answer is yes. However, just as there are good stories and there are best sellers you can’t put down, there are homes created by designers that are so detail oriented and committed to the narrative, that they take your breath away.
Even when there's no explicitly written narrative of the house, successful designs have elements of storytelling baked into them; the narrative in these cases is implicit. Because I was formerly a product manager and researcher, I usually approach design with the goal of understanding user /client needs rather than thinking about narrative first. For me, user needs include thinking about functional needs, emotional, and lifestyle/cultural needs. The design style, concept, mood, and details all weave each of these needs together to create the overall home experience.
As an example, for a recent project we worked with a couple in their 70s retiring to another state. We considered creating a home that reflected the couple's love for cooking, photography, playing cards, and displaying collectible art while considering needs for aging in place, concerns about accommodating family visits, and a desire to blend memories from their former home into a new life in Florida. In every room we carefully incorporated new items with older heirlooms finding common threads in the design with color, patterns, and architectural lines. In this case, the design of the home came together through research and a detailed understanding of the clients’ needs and desires--the narrative was implicit in the work.
Had it been articulated as a story, perhaps it would have sounded like this:
A Home for New Beginnings: Honoring the Past, Embracing the World
This home tells the story of a couple embarking on a vibrant new chapter in life. Recently retired and relocating from the North to Florida, they sought a space that reflects their passions—cooking, photography, entertaining, and playing cards—while celebrating their love for family, travel, and global craftsmanship. The design bridges their rich personal history with their fresh, forward-looking lifestyle, creating an environment that is both timeless and deeply personal.
Throughout the home, heirlooms and contemporary pieces harmonize to honor the couple’s past while embracing the energy of their new chapter. Every detail reflects their well-traveled lives and appreciation for artistry across cultures. A custom console made of parchment and bronze from Colombia, hand-painted pots from Mexico, and Italian-upholstered furniture are seamlessly integrated into the design. Fabrics from high-end American brands sit alongside luxurious French textiles from Nobilis and Métaphores, and German Zimmer + Rohde fabrics add another layer of sophistication.
The library, painted a calming slate blue, is a testament to their love of books, photography and art. Drapery with a bold geometric pattern mirrors a vintage Art Deco box found at an antique store in Brooklyn, while mid-century Eames-like chairs, a dark burl game table, and a fluted side table create a dialogue between design periods. A custom built brass picture hanging system allows the couple to share their photography, art, and family portraits, making this space a rich tapestry of their interests and history.
The club room, with its high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, feels alive with energy. Drapery adorned with a vine-like pattern enhances a feeling of being connected to nature outside, while large plants–a Kimberly Fern and a Dracaena Marginata–breathe life into the space. Whimsical ceramic owls perched on plinths greet visitors, adding a playful touch that reflects the couple’s personality. The calming sage-green walls, a vintage oriental rug, and a burl coffee table ground the space in warmth and elegance.
In the master bedroom, thoughtful contrasts shine. An 18th-century French chaise, revitalized with contemporary upholstery, pairs beautifully with a sleek modern bed and a custom credenza inspired by historical design movements, creating a serene retreat that embodies the couple’s balance of history and modernity.
Smaller spaces, like the mudroom and cabana bath, take on a bold, immersive character. In the mudroom, a petal-patterned wallcovering creates a playful yet sophisticated vibe. Meanwhile, the cabana bath features a striking snakeskin wallcovering complemented by bronze and brass industrial sconces, turning a functional space into an unexpected moment of design drama.
At the heart of the home, the open kitchen welcomes gatherings with a grand island designed for family and friends to come together. This focus on connection carries throughout the house, from the communal game table in the library to the light-filled club room and beyond.
The result is a home that reflects the couple’s adventurous spirit, love for culture and craftsmanship, and enduring connection to family and friends. It’s a space where cherished memories blend with new experiences, offering a rich narrative of a life well-lived and a future full of possibility.
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Final Thoughts: Making a Space Truly Your Own
So, the next time a designer mentions storytelling, don’t roll your eyes just yet. Consider that even though your newly purchased brooklyn brownstone, or a pre-war classic 8 has incredible bones, it is only setting the stage for you to unfold a more meaningful story. Pay attention to the real questions being asked of you and to the research being done. Don't be afraid to share your own story, what you feel you need, and what feels authentic to you. Remember, regardless of whether your home’s narrative is written down or not, the best designs do tell stories by creating spaces where people feel at home in their own.