Most of us have perused instagram or pinterest for a little design inspiration, but make it a habit and you run the risk of ending up with a space that looks like a carbon copy of someone else’s home. Considering how much time the average person spends in their space (a number that has grown considerably in recent years) I am a strong believer that your home should be an actual reflection of you and how you live. Or, if you want to get a little deeper, even the way that you’d like to live - a reflection of your best self and your best life.
Well-being
Your home is central to your well-being. Its the place where you start and end your day, where you perform many self care rituals. And it can be a unique reflection of you.
Investing in your home is investing in your well-being
Multiple studies support that interior design has a psychological impact on all of us. Yet many people treat interior design as an extravagance rather than a necessity. A well-designed home can lower your stress levels, and improve your mental and physical health. A space with objects curated over time to reflect your identity creates a sense of home that goes far beyond material comfort. So - how to get there?
Inspiration and Analysis
Not everyone finds it easy to envision their spaces as they desire them to be, or to select the right pieces over time, and orchestrating a large transformation like a remodel, with the millions of interconnected decisions involved is enough to put most people off even getting started. I would advise against identifying a singular style that you’ve seen on Instagram or a blog and then simply plagiarizing the look. Interiors are much more interesting and authentic when they reflect the tastes and experiences of those living in them. When I design for a client there are many questions I ask to try to delve down into what will make the most pleasing and meaningful space for them specifically.
How do you want to live in and experience this space?
Do you love to cook, do you enjoy entertaining?
Do you have a library?
Do you have children or pets?
Do you exercise and need a gym in your home?
What are your influences? What kind of music do you listen to? What kind of art do you like?
Finally, what is your budget for the space?
Identify the components of rooms that appeal to you
If you say that you are a visual person, it may signify that you actually are not - that you can’t visualize it and you need to see things to imagine how they will work together. You can start by pinning or saving spaces that ignite some interest or emotion in you. But don’t stop there - try to dissect the image down to what exactly about the image inspires you? Is it an overall feeling in evokes? The shape of a light fixture? The color palette? Once you identify key elements, you can then seek out other similar examples and save them to a folder or board for reference. You can also pay attention to elements that you do not like and make a note of those. All of this will help you in developing your eye and understanding your style.
Emotion in different environments
As you move through the world, or look back on experiences, pay attention to how certain spaces have made you feel. Do you enjoy the visual stimulation of vibrant colors and multiple interesting objects? Or do you feel more at peace in a minimal, space with muted tones? How do you want to feel in your home?
Unusual sources of inspiration
You don’t necessarily need to look at interiors to get inspired, there are many other sources. Take a look at the things you already possess. Which items are your prized possessions, which of them hold meaning for you or are visually stimulating? Perhaps you have a favorite pair of shoes. Or you can look at the type of things that you are attracted to and identify a theme - do you tend towards natural materials, jewel tones, things with historical significance? All of these are clues.
Look to your closet
How about your closet? It can be an easy place to look for the colors and textures that make you feel your best. Think about incorporating similar colors or patterns in your interiors. Or perhaps you are someone who wears black everyday, but would prefer a home that’s light and bright or full of color - really think about how you would like to feel in your space.
Are you already an avid collector of some sort? There is no need to throw out the things you love in order to have a room with a certain style. Incorporating your collections into your space will make it more meaningful to you and will reflect your identity.
Art can be a great source of inspiration as well, visit museums and note which works you are drawn to. I love encouraging my clients to buy original art when possible, as it creates a unique space that no one else will have. Just make sure the art you select speaks to you rather than to a certain style of decor.
Travel
If you enjoy travel, then I am sure you have some memories of places or interiors that felt magical when you visited them. You don’t have to try to recreate them in your home, but you can pull elements from those experiences which will then bring you memories of the amazing experiences that you’ve had.
Once you’re inspired - you can begin to plan how to actually go about changing up your space. Since not everyone is working with a large budget, I’m going to focus on some of the more economical ways to have a big impact.
Putting your inspiration to work
One of the things you can do that will make a huge difference is to organize and declutter, although this can also be one of the most difficult. If an item isn’t functional, beautiful, or sentimental - really consider tossing or donating it.
Paint! Color can change the entire mood of a room, it’s inexpensive, and fairly easy to change if you don’t love it.
Rearranging the furniture and decorative elements in your home is absolutely free and can also give you new ideas as to how to use your space. Try grouping objects together in new ways that play with their scale or color.
Add foliage - plants will bring a sense of life into a space, and if you weren’t born with a green thumb, there are plenty of realistic faux plants now available.
Changing your lighting or adding a new rug can also make a huge impact on the way a room feels.
Some of my favorite places to look for unique items to add to my spaces while working within a limited budget are Facebook marketplace, EBay, and Etsy. If you have a bit more to spend then 1st Dibs and Chairish have amazingly unique pieces that could also just serve as inspiration.
Finally, if you run into issues with your space, or feel paralyzed at the thought of doing this on your own - hiring a professional can truly be worth it.
A designer can actually save you money by helping you avoid costly mistakes, and knowing where to source things for the best price. Many designers also have a network of trusted contractors and craftsmen that they work with to ensure that work is done correctly. They can help solve problems, make decisions, and make the whole process less stressful - while ensuring your results are beautiful and a true expression of you.