Inspiration is all around you. As an interior designer, I’ve heard clients list completely unexpected things that they want to inspire their home design. And it’s always fun to see what is at the core of a clients’ interior design dreams. One of the best parts, too, is that design inspiration can really, honestly, be anything! But it can be hard to find a starting point which is why I’m here with 10 ways to find design inspiration.

Why Inspiration is Necessary

A home or room design needs some inspo. You are unique, everything you love is part of what makes you special, and an interior designer can tap into that—but only if we’re able to pinpoint the inspiration to begin with. 

So, whether you want to create a mood board on Pinterest, just gather a few photos, or copy and paste the look of another place completely, we must first distill what inspires you.

Tip: Don’t sweat the details, just gather the basics. An interior designer will do the rest. 😉

Find Design Inspiration

We’ve talked about inspiration before, and there’s a good reason for that: It’s super important. We also have a whole article about creating moods with design. But this article is talking about something a little different: infusing your home with the places, people, and things that make you who you are. This digs a little deeper into what surrounds you and how it informs your life and personality, and then seeps into the things that surround you every day. 

There are a few ways to find this deep, personal inspiration for your home. First, ask yourself: “What do I really love?” Then ask, “What do I want my home to say about me?”

These two questions are fantastic starting points. Then, you can dive into other methods, questions, and inspo-seeking activities.

10 Ways to Find Design Inspiration

These 10 easy easy to find inspiration for your home are daily practices or organic ways to bring inspiration right into your whole life. Then, all it takes is a little help to translate that into your home.

1) Local Design Locations.

Nearly every small town and big city has a hub of design. Step out your front door and find a local furniture store, home goods store, art district, or trendy hotspot. Snap a few pictures, note the colors, furniture arrangement, and lighting.

2) Pinterest.

I know we’ve talked about Pinterest before, but it really is a fantastic place to find visual inspiration for nearly everything—from a mood, to a specific design style, to even movie inspiration! If you follow YDP on Pinterest, you’ll also get a good look at the things I find inspirational in my own life and home.

3) The YDP newsletter.

Yes, I’m super biased, but our newsletter is a wonderful taste of monthly inspiration. Subscribe for more than just behind the scenes and giveaways—become one our newsletter VIPs and get an inside look at design elements, favorite pieces, exclusive deals, my favorite places and so much more!

4) Decor Personality Quiz.

Did you know we have a personality quiz? Well, we do! And it’s a great way to tap into what you love about the rooms and spaces you’re in every day. Why do you prefer certain color palettes over others? Why do some materials just speak to you and others don’t? It’s probably all in your decor personality!

5) Nature.

Never ever underestimate a good walk. It’s in the quiet moments that we often have the best ideas. And, when we’re in nature, not only do we have a quiet moment to reflect, but we are surrounded on every side by endless beauty, tons of color, lots of architecture, hundreds of plants and flowers, and so much more. Find a good park or walking trail, go to a botanical garden, explore a local historical estate and its grounds, or simply just sit in your own backyard.

6) Favorite locations or vacation spots.

Everyone has that one place they just fell in love with or return to every year. Take a few minutes to think about what made that place so special. Was it how it made you feel? The landscape? The culture? Maybe it was the food, even. Whatever it was, it’s now a part of who you are and can be translated right into your home!

7) Hotel or Airbnb.

Many hotels are iconic because of their interior design. Think of the Ritz or The Beverly Hills Hotel, or Claridge’s in London. Any hotel, BnB, or Airbnb you visit can be a source of inspiration, and not only because of its interior design, but because of its location, too. A desert getaway with stucco walls tells a very different story than a third-floor apartment in Paris with a balcony.

8) Art and music.

Believe it or not, even less tangible things, like music, can inspire the interior of your home. A classical piano music lover’s home, after all, would look different from that of someone who enjoys a fun and energetic salsa. Or maybe you have a favorite painting and want your home to have the same vibe and colors.

9) Eras.

Each era is defined by its style, architecture, and even color scheme. If you love a certain design era or century, this could be a great place to find inspiration for your home. There are endless ways to “update” these eras, too. So if you love the ‘70s, it can be tastefully done in a contemporary style that looks timeless.

10) Color palette.

A color palette alone is often a source of inspiration. Love the soft, dusty greens, pinks, and purples of succulents? What about the various cool and warm blues found at the ocean? Or maybe you’re like the eclectic color scheme found on a bookshelf or in a garden. Take a look around you, what’s the color palette created by the mugs you own or the clothes in your closet?

No matter where you find your inspiration, a whole space can be created to embrace what you love and ensure your home reflects who you are in your heart, mind, and soul.

Have your inspiration but need help implementing it? Let’s work together!