I don't think most people actually have bad taste. After all, "taste" is just another word for your personal preferences. I think the real problem is that we've gotten into the habit of outsourcing those preferences to algorithms.
The more time we spend consuming social media, advertisements, television, magazines, and other people's opinions, the less time we spend figuring out what we actually like.
Whether we realize it or not, we're constantly being told what's "in," what's "out," and what our homes, wardrobes, and lives are supposed to look like. If you're constantly consuming other people's opinions, it's much harder to separate your own from everyone else's.
In my opinion, developing good taste comes down to two simple things:
- Buy things that are well made.
- Buy things you actually like.
That's it.
The more you learn about quality, materials, and craftsmanship, the easier it becomes to recognize well-made products. And the less time you spend chasing trends, the easier it becomes to figure out what you actually enjoy living with.
Let's break those two ideas down.
Buy things that are well made.
A beautiful object doesn't have to be expensive, but quality matters. A solid wood table will almost always look and feel better than one made from particle board. Handmade pottery has small imperfections that give it character. Linen gets softer over time. Full-grain leather develops a patina instead of falling apart.
The quality of the things you surround yourself with has a huge impact on how your home looks and feels, regardless of your personal style.
Greer — Nocturne Colorway - Reversible Woven Blanket with Fringe
Buy things because you like them.
Buy things because you like them, not because they're trending, not because an influencer has them, and not because they match some aesthetic you've seen online. If you fill your home with things you enjoy looking at and using, your style will naturally develop over time.
Cali Tropicale Wallpaper, navy
That's really all taste is.
It's not about following one particular aesthetic. It's not about keeping up with trends. It's about collecting things that are well made and that you enjoy having in your home. Over time, you'll end up with a home that's a reflection of your own preferences, not someone else's.
