5 Ways to Find Design Inspiration
There is ✨literally✨ inspiration everywhere… which is a little overwhelming, so let’s start somewhere: these are my favorite places to find ideas that will make your room uniquely YOU.
not sure where to start with your room? try these on for inspiration…
Art is an incredible source of inspiration. You can look at paintings, sculptures, or even digital art to get those creative juices flowing. Let's say you find a beautiful painting with vibrant colors and abstract shapes. You could incorporate those colors into your room by adding throw pillows, curtains, or pull them in with a beautiful wallpaper. The abstract shapes might inspire you to get some funky geometric patterns in your furniture, decor or even shape your lighting choices.
Places to explore art:
museums
libraries
galleries
local shops and boutiques
art shows
craft fairs
Raw Pixel (see how I use it HERE)
Now, my favorite- nature! Mother Nature is a master decorator herself. Take a stroll through a forest or park, visit a botanical garden, or my fave- take a walk around and look at your neighbors gardens! Look at the colors, textures, and patterns in the flowers, leaves, and rocks. If you see a lush green plant with big, bold leaves, you might want to bring that vibe into your room by incorporating the colors, the organic shape it takes on, or even bringing a real plant into the space (this will pull double duty- a decor and health improvement).
I find nature inspires me most in these ways:
color (especially colors together- if it exists in nature, it works)
texture
shapes
how to blend and balance
Who doesn't love to travel? It's not just about the amazing places you visit but about the experiences and memories you bring back. Let's say you went to a coastal town and fell in love with the laid back, serene vibes. You can recreate that feeling in your room by incorporating those colors, textures and shapes. Think layered grass and rope like texture, varied wood tones, the colors of a soft sunset on the rocky coast- you'll feel like you're on a permanent vacation! It’s less about the overt “beach” vibe and more about how it made you feel. I mean, the layers are what create that feeling of serenity, and less a sign that says “Beach Vibes”. Our minds are intricate and appreciate those layers, over the words that tell us how to feel.
Travel can really include all these others since it’s often a time when we’re exposed to life’s lovely little things like nature, art and music, ANNNND…
These are my favorite ways to find inspiration while traveling:
exploring local shops
taking in the design of places you visit- hotels, restaurants, parks, coffee shops
people watching 💗💗💗
Music is another fantastic source of inspiration. Think about your favorite music genres or artists. Are you into rock, pop, hip-hop, or maybe jazz? Each genre has its own vibe that you can translate into your room design, or even a particular song. Let your favorite tunes guide you into how you want to feel in your space- a jazz inspired dark and moody space with lots of curves and sexy textures? Or a vibey, mellow space with intentional pops of colorful art inspired by your favorite hip hop beats? The options are truly endless…
Ways I find inspiration in music:
finding the overall feeling that a song evokes to create- bright, warm, soft or smooth
sometimes I imagine what a sound would feel like- velvet or leather, wool, wood or stone
Books are magical portals to different worlds and ideas. A favorite book or series can inspire a room that reflects the world you feel so connected to when you dive into the words on the page (or iPad). For example, if you're a fantasy fan, you might love some twisty branch like lighting fixtures to set the tone in your dreamy space. I love envisioning the room that’s described in some beach bungalow setting of a romance novel, or the non creepy parts of a good thriller- seeing all the layers that are spelled out, and the thoughtful artwork and decor that create the cozy feeling the writer’s creating for me. Let the words transport you to an enchanting place to call your own.
Book inspo can come from everything from the actual settings and items described to the collections kept by your favorite characters.
My most recent book inspired decor find:
a beautiful handmade coffee mug (bought while traveling, after inspired by an audiobook I listened to while I drove)- it was inspired by a character who was so thoughtful about her mug choice that it lingered in my mind while I perused a pottery studio on a weekend away. It helped me remember what a big impact those little daily choices make ✨
Here, I’m referencing fiction books, but another great way to find inspiration in books is through actual books on decor and design- or art or any kind. These are some favorites that I like to reference (it doesn’t hurt that they’re beautiful and look good wherever you put them :)
bursting with inspiration, this interior design beauty will have you ooo and ahhing from cover to cover
gorgeous design and amazing examples of scale and proportion done well, this one will have you seeing yourself in every scene
Remember, the key is to find what speaks to you personally. Don't be afraid to mix and match different sources of inspiration. Your room should reflect your personality and make you feel happy and comfortable. So go ahead, explore art, nature, travel, music, books… all the things- and let your imagination run wild!
And if you’re not sure how to take it from inspo, to “in-my-house,” that’s where I come in. You just give me a jingle, drop me a line or book a quick session- we’ll get this figured out!
Happy homing x,
Kate
