Tracking down the sofa (or any piece of furniture for that matter) that's right for you is an important endeavor. You're probably going to spend a decent amount of money on the purchase and will have to live with the choice you make for a long time. To make the right decision, you need to discover your own personal style so that the sofa you ultimately select matches well with the design you plan on creating for your home or apartment.

Often, people get too caught up in looking for pieces that follow the latest color and design trends, instead of trying to find furniture that they genuinely like and are drawn to. Personal style is just that – personal. It's not a good idea to scour the furniture stores in search of popular items when you could be spending your time seeking out pieces that you love. When shopping for your home, purchase a sofa that reflects your personality. The only tricky part is figuring out what styles you're attracted to.

Here are some things you can do to discover the style that appeals to you the most:

Pay attention to your surroundings. Keep yourself open to new things, but always let your own style preferences guide you along the way. Also, as you shop, take mental note of everything you come across even if it may not seem important right at the moment. It might come in handy later on, as you narrow down your preferences to a few styles and start to uncover your design sensibilities.

Take into account the environments you enjoy being in. What is the overall feel of your home right now, and what feelings are you looking to build upon? In order to feel comfortable in a space, it's important to take into account what makes you feel good.

Visit museums, model homes, art galleries, show rooms, and skim furniture catalogues, magazines, books, films, and TV programs for inspiration. You can even investigate nature to gain some insight. You may not know what your personal style is when you begin the process, but if you look at examples in the real world you will soon realize that certain looks interest you, while others turn you off. Everyone is different – go with your gut and you'll find your way eventually. Seeing various design examples in person can really fire up the engine of creativity and lead you in the right direction. We usually only understand what we like after being presented with an example.

Maybe you want to recreate a particular emotion or memory in your personal space? If this is the case, review old photos from holidays abroad or special moments with family to help you pinpoint the feeling you want to express at home.

Get organized. Create a file in which to save magazine cuttings, photos, postcards, furniture samples, or anything that attracts you along the way. This is the best way to keep the creative process from becoming a confused mess.

Purchase a sketchbook. This will be used to quickly sketch ideas so that you don't forget important ideas. For instance, when visiting model homes, a particular architectural feature may catch your eye. Use the sketchbook to jot down the intriguing aspects of the design – perhaps the proportions of a certain architectural element – and you won't forget it. You can also include photographs in the book.

Research, research, research. Start visiting furniture stores to look for colors and materials that fascinate you. If you have decided to model your home after a sunny vacation you took years ago, source out pieces that help you relive those images and emotions. A beach-like design, for example, requires sofas and chairs in a relaxed design, with sandy, neutral upholstery. Accent the room by placing sea blues and greens throughout the room in the form of pillows, paint, and accessories.

In the end, your style preference will probably fall under one of the two main categories of design: modern or traditional. If you like clean lines, simplicity, and modern materials, you'll probably go for the modern look. Modern design can be retro, art deco, or fall into the Southwest, lifestyle, and Euro-look category. Traditional style includes country, mission, shaker, early American, French provincial, American provincial, lodge, and nautical.

As you delve into the design process and make new style discoveries, choosing the perfect sofa won't seem like such a daunting task anymore. Armed with the knowledge of what makes you happy, you can visit the furniture store confident in your ability to purchase a piece of furniture that will turn your house into a home.