Interior Decorating Ideas and Inspiration

Once you’ve narrowed down your interior decorating style, it’s time to get inspired! There are many ways to find just the inspiration you need to get you started:

Start With an Existing Piece
Perhaps you have a favorite painting, or an area rug – use that as a starting off point for your design. Pick one or more colors from the rug or artwork to pull your color scheme together. The subject matter of the art may also provide inspiration.

Use Travel as Inspiration
Travel can be a great source of design and decorating ideas. Perhaps the lobby or room in a memorable hotel could provide inspiration. Or a collection of souvenirs from your travels could be the main focal point in a space from which you build your design around.

Flip Through Books and Magazines
When I start a project with new clients, the first thing I ask them to do is flip through design magazines and books for things they like or dislike. It could be an entire room that they are drawn to or it could simply be a sofa, or even just a color. Start collecting clippings of things you like and create your own inspiration book.

Web Resources

• Design Style Quiz from Sproost.com
  This is one of the best design style quizzes we've come across. Instead of answering silly questions, you rate actual photos of decorated rooms by clicking on "Love It," "Like It," "Just OK," "Don’t Like It," or "Hate It!" At the end, Sproost describes your personal design style, as well as suggests furniture and accessories that match your style.
• Decorating Gallery from BHG
  Check out Better Homes and Gardens decorating gallery for ideas and inspiration for any room in the house. There are hundreds of photos that can be sorted by room, style and even color.
• Creating Inspiration Boards and Notebooks from The Inspired Room
  The best way to organize your ideas and inspirations for your next design project is to collect clippings and photos and put them in a binder or on a board. The Inspired Room has tips that'll help you create your inspiration book and also gives tip on how to zoom in on the important details.
• Apartment Decorating from My Home Ideas
  Here are some great decorating tips for renters that won’t break the bank or the rental agreement.