Finding inspiration for interior decorating projects used to be quite a challenge.
There really weren’t a lot of resources and many of us relied on magazine articles and our local home decor stores for ideas. Oh, and trying to peek unobtrusively at other people’s homes of course!
Thankfully, technology has changed everything.
Nowadays, we can search for – and find – anything and everything to do with interior decorating, 24 hours a day.
Our smartphones, TVs, computers and other digital devices put ideas and inspiration in the palm of our hand (literally!) – so it’s goodbye to crumpled magazine cuttings and hello to an exciting new world of interior decorating possibilities.
We can take virtual tours around properties round the world. We can pour over thousands of photographs and creative ideas to our heart’s content. We can get regular updates from industry experts delivered directly to our inboxes. We can vicariously immerse ourselves in decorating projects and learn from other people’s mistakes – and their successes – by watching reality TV. We can keep right up-to-date with the latest trends and products as they hit the shelves, and if something takes our fancy, we can simply whip out our phones, snap it and have it – in an instant.
So, if you’re building a new home and want custom home design inspiration for your interior decorating projects – the world (of technology, that is) is your oyster.
One of the very best places to start gathering information is Pinterest –- a visual bookmarking tool where you can discover and save creative ideas. And if you’re new to the site, don’t worry. It’s really simple to navigate (and it’s addictive) which is probably why it has 200 million active users every month!
It’s also a good idea to create a mood board for your decorating project (a tool that interior designers have been using for ages) by collecting magazine cuttings, photos of your favourite pieces of furniture, fabric swatches and paint samples and arranging them on a display board.
You can also create a digital mood board – and you don’t have to be a computer wizard to do this either! There are plenty of online tools which make it easy for everyone. Check out Olioboard, an easy-to-use and self-explanatory interior design mood board creator, which allows you to create 2D and 3D room designs using real products.
Houzz is another great tool for decor inspiration. This online home renovation and design platform brings together a community of over 40 million homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals from around the world – and you can look and learn from them to your heart’s delight. And if you have a smartphone, check out their app as well as other great mobile apps which provide home improvement inspiration on the go.
Another good way of keeping up with decorating trends is to follow interior designers on Instagram. This way, you’ll have a constant feed of fresh ideas and you’ll be able to go through all of their past posts to find looks that you love. You can also sign up to regular email feeds from your favourite bloggers so you won’t miss out on any ‘must-haves’ for your new home.
Armchair inspiration has also never been easier. Sit back and take notes whilst enjoying a variety of reality TV shows like The Block, Selling Houses Australia, House Rules and Grand Designs, which will give you plenty of food for thought.
We’re certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to places to find design inspiration for our new homes – but it’s not always easy distilling all the information and ideas into bite-sized pieces and it’s certainly not easy making final decisions. That’s why, when you’re building a new home, come and talk to us at Coast Homes. Our professional team will use their skills and knowledge garnered over decades of experience to translate your ideas into beautiful outcomes.
And to appreciate just how beautiful these outcomes can be, why not come and see our recently completed display homes in Perth? They showcase the magic touch that our in-house interior decorator brings to every one of our custom-built homes, and whether you love the coastal chic of a Hamptons style home interior or modern elegance with a sophisticated twist, we’re sure you’ll be inspired by what you see.
If you build with us, our in-house designer will be involved from the very start of your project right through to the final finishing touches. They’re part of the same team who will share your entire home-building journey – from a pencil drawing on a scrap piece of paper to the bubbles at the roof-wetting – so please get in touch with us if you want a friendly chat about fresh design inspiration.
