When it comes to decorating our homes, many of us would like to think that we are constrained only by the limits of our imagination (and maybe our budget). But it turns out there are other factors the ground the creative processnamely location. The design ethos of any home is inevitably informed by place. For instance, if you live in a shingled cottage on Marthas Vineyard, youll probably lean more coastal-chic than industrial cool. On the other hand, if youre decorating a penthouse in Manhattan, youll probably steer clear of French country vibes.That said, how much do our design schemes need to pay homage to the surrounding localeand if we veer sharply from what's expected, will our home feel out of step? We chatted with three interior designers to find out.Related StoriesAll the designers we spoke to were fierce believers in creative freedom when decorating your personal spaces, but that didn't mean they were advocates of ignoring your neighborhoodespecially if you live somewhere that's considered a destination, like a mountain or beach town. This is especially important if you're designing a vacation home. Mountain homes are a getaway for many of my clients," says Katie Schroder, founder and principal at Denver-based Atelier Design. "They want interiors that feel different from their home base. The architecture typically incorporates a rustic look with wooden beams and textures that are in keeping with a traditional mountain theme. Local and kitschy is fun, but its important to throw in something avant-garde to help elevate the design. Design: Becky Shea Design, Photo: Jake SheaAnother factor determining your design choices is the architecture of the space itself, as well as how it is situated in the natural environment. I dont believe there are strict rules when it comes to designing for a destination, but I do think the surrounding environment should heavily influence how a space is architecturally conceived," says Becky Shea, a New York City-based designer. "Its essential to highlight the beauty of the natural setting."If, however, you want to take a departure from whatever style may be expected, Miranda Cullen, founder of Denver-based Inside Stories, recommends going really rogue by way of a strong contrast. There is a lot of beauty in unexpected design: an ultra-modern mountain home may use simplicity and sleekness in a way that contrasts with the mountain terrain, she says. Generally, juxtaposition creates balance and harmony in a way that is quite unexpected but no less beautiful.Design: Inside Stories, Photo: Eric Lucero So, if youre in the lucky position of decorating a new homewhether its a primary residence or pied--terretake a page from these designers playbook and look outside for inspiration. Just don't let yourself feel boxed in. Your home should reflect what your soul loves and gravitates toward, no matter where you live," says Shea. "While the local environment can provide inspiration, the most important thing is that the space feels like your home.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.