Have you ever wondered why certain colours or design styles resonate with you more than others? It might have more to do with your personality than you think.
One of the most powerful — and surprisingly personal — tools I use in my design process is the concept of seasonal personality types. It’s rooted in colour psychology and mirrors the qualities of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each one carries its own set of traits, preferences, and even patterns in buying behaviour — all of which influence how we live and decorate.
Understanding your seasonal personality can give you huge clarity when it comes to choosing colours, furnishings, and even architectural styles. It helps you create a home that not only looks beautiful but truly supports your wellbeing.
Let’s explore the four seasonal types in more detail.
Spring Personality
Spring personalities are lively, bubbly, and full of optimism. Creative and young at heart, they bring a vibrant energy wherever they go. They’re welcoming, fun, enthusiastic, and tend to be very in tune with what’s current and trending — which is important to consider when it comes to decorating.
Spring types are often influenced by what’s fashionable and are drawn to whatever feels fresh and exciting in the moment. They’re also natural communicators and love new beginnings. However, they can be susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), so they tend to do best when surrounded by bright, uplifting decor during the darker months of the year.
In terms of career, you’ll often find Spring personalities in nursing, teaching, sales, communications, entertainment, or event management. They’re the kind of people who bring lightness and charm to their workplace — and who often stay in the same job for years.
Their buying behaviour reflects their love for change and spontaneity. They tend to follow trends, which means they often update their wardrobes and home accessories. Because of this, they’re more likely to buy affordable, non-investment pieces and to change things up frequently.
When it comes to home preferences, Spring types are drawn to light, airy spaces with lots of windows and open-plan layouts. Their ideal colour palette includes clear pastels like baby blue, soft pink, lemon yellow, lime green, and peach — colours that feel joyful and uplifting.
They tend to favour finishes like light woods, gold, wicker, and glossy surfaces that bounce light around the room. Their patterns of choice include dainty florals and soft circular shapes — you’re more likely to find a round dining table in a Spring home than anywhere else.
They generally dislike dark walls and floors, heavy or bulky furniture, and anything they might consider gloomy or oppressive. Lighter, flat-pack furniture is more their style — easy to switch out and never too serious. A Spring home feels relaxed, cheerful, and full of movement — a true reflection of its vibrant occupant.
Summer Personality
Summer personalities are graceful, calm, and softly spoken. They carry a quiet elegance and a sense of serenity, and may be a little reserved or understated in their manner. They thrive on structure and order, preferring to plan things in advance and keep their homes and lives well-organised.
They’re detail-oriented, responsible, highly perceptive, and deeply considerate of others. Summer types are often natural caregivers and great listeners, with a strong sense of empathy. They also tend to be artistic or musically gifted.
Professionally, Summer types are often drawn to roles that require emotional intelligence, grace under pressure, and diplomacy. You’ll frequently find them in careers like medicine, human resources, counselling, or the arts — including music and fine art.
When it comes to shopping, Summer personalities value quality over quantity. They are thoughtful buyers who do their research, read reviews, and look for longevity in everything they purchase. They prefer to invest in high-quality pieces and will often become loyal, repeat customers once they find a brand or maker they trust.
In terms of home style, Summer personalities are drawn to period homes and classic, timeless interiors. Their colour preferences lean toward soft, muted tones — rose pinks, greys, taupes, plums, and gentle blues, often with a grey undertone.
Their homes tend to feature elegant, flowy, natural textiles like linen, silk, and cashmere. Furniture is often antique or heirloom-quality, with a preference for refined finishes like satinwood or rosewood. They’re drawn to oval shapes and prefer coordinating pieces — think bedroom or living room furniture sets, carefully chosen for how they work together.
What they dislike is cheap or flimsy furniture, anything too bright or garish, and overly heavy or cluttered styles. Their ideal home is one that feels calm, serene, and softly luxurious — a peaceful sanctuary with an understated elegance.
Autumn Personality
Autumn types are warm, grounded, and down to earth. They’re deeply connected to nature, passionate about authenticity, and often incredibly loyal to their personal values. These are the people who love to learn, who question the status quo, and who get fired up about the things that matter to them.
They often have a creative or theatrical side, with an uplifting, passionate energy. But they’re also thoughtful, introspective, and curious — always digging deeper to understand the world around them.
You’ll find Autumn personalities in careers that involve depth, investigation, or creativity. Common roles include psychologist, psychiatrist, detective, archaeologist, investigative journalist, or interior designer. They’re also drawn to architecture and spatial planning, where they can combine creativity with practicality.
When it comes to buying, Autumn types are thoughtful and inquisitive. Like Summers, they do their research — but while Summers may favour antiques, Autumns are more open to vintage and second-hand in general. They’re often the most eco-conscious shoppers, drawn to upcycling, recycling, and sustainable choices. For them, substance and comfort matter far more than style or trends.
Architecturally, Autumns are drawn to older buildings and are often fond of an industrial edge. They love a mix of old and new, and adore texture — the more layers, the better. Lighting is carefully considered and typically layered to create a cosy mood. They tend to have a more eclectic taste and are the most likely to embrace a maximalist style.
Their preferred shapes are strong and solid — square and rectangular furniture, sturdy pieces that feel dependable. Their colour palette reflects the richness of the season: burnt oranges, mustard yellows, olive greens, russets, browns — all warm, earthy, and inviting.
They don’t care for greys or cooler tones, and they dislike flimsy or flashy furnishings, prioritising comfort and authenticity. An Autumn home feels soulful, layered, and deeply lived-in — a space to exhale and feel truly at home.
Winter Personality
Winter personalities are confident, discerning, and precise. They often have a commanding presence and a sharp intellect. These are the natural leaders — strong-willed, clear-headed, and often a little glamorous. Winters don’t follow trends. They know what they like, and they’re not afraid to pursue the very best.
Professionally, Winters thrive in high-stakes, high-performance environments. You’ll often find them working as surgeons, barristers, financiers, politicians, or CEOs — always at the top of their game.
Their shopping behaviour is driven by a desire for excellence. Like Summers, they buy quality — but while Summer values subtlety, Winter wants their investment to look high-end. They gravitate toward sophisticated, statement pieces that exude luxury and status.
Winters are drawn to sleek, modern spaces with strong architectural lines. They prefer custom-designed homes or minimalist interiors that make a visual impact. Their colour palette features bold contrast — pure white, jet black, charcoal, deep navy, and jewel tones — all used with intention.
Patterns tend to be geometric and striking, and their preferred materials include silk, leather, and polished metal — no florals, no polyester, and definitely no clutter. Texture is kept to a minimum to preserve clean lines and visual clarity.
Their spaces feel curated and confident — fewer pieces, higher impact. A Winter home is modern, minimalist, and deeply considered. It’s a space that feels elevated, refined, and unmistakably high-end.
Not Just One Season?
It’s perfectly normal to see yourself in more than one seasonal type. In fact, most people will have a dominant season and then resonate with aspects of one or two others. For example, I’m primarily Autumn, but I also have a lot of Spring energy — and yes, they’re very different!
This insight is especially helpful when sharing your home with someone else. Understanding your own mix, along with your partner’s, can make it much easier to blend styles in a way that works for both of you. Look for intersections between your types — where colour palettes, textures, or layout preferences overlap — and start designing from there.
Want to Discover Your Type?
If you’d like a little more clarity on which seasonal personality type best reflects you, I’ve created a free quiz that is fun and only takes a couple of minutes. It’s a lovely place to start if you’re working on a home project or simply want to understand your preferences better. I recommend you take it twice. Note which answers you choose the first time round, and then the second time choose your second-favourites. This will help you clarify your primary and secondary types.
👉 Take the quiz here
Let me know in the comments — which season are you, and how is it reflected in your space? I’d love to hear.