Inspiration

Staying stylish and up-to-date while decorating doesn’t always require an interior decorator. There are a lot of things you can do yourself, or ways to get ideas to share with your decorator. With technology now so accessible, you can find lots of interior design ideas from which to draw inspiration. All it takes is a little time and research.

Social media has become a great way to find new décor trends and style tips. Here are a few tools that you can use from a computer or smart device that have lasting value and never stop generating ideas:

Facebook

Facebook is one of the most widely used social media vehicles on the market. You can trade ideas with friends, join decorating groups like designer pages, and more. You’ll find a huge variety of pictures, new projects, news about décor events, as well as have real-time interaction with people just like you who are using the platform to gain and share new ideas.

YouTube

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to do something, YouTube is the place to go. You’ll find step-by-step tutorials on everything related to art, framing, decorating and more. Making curtains, lampshades, specialty frames and even tutorials on how to paint are all on YouTube. It’s a virtual classroom for everything.

Pinterest

Pinterest has quickly become the “go-to” source for tips, styles and new design. You will find storyboards, or “pins”, for almost anything under the sun. Many designers and up-and-coming artists use Pinterest to showcase their work.

The best thing about Pinterest is that you can gain inspiration from looking at how someone puts a design together, open up your mind to new ideas and find ways to present your own décor.

Interior design ideas are plentiful on this platform. If you’re looking for inspiration from crafters, designers and other homemakers who have great suggestions, Pinterest is the social media tool to use.

Instagram

A lot of designers and professionals are beginning to use Instagram to showcase their work in real time. You get to see pros and amateurs in their element, putting together designs and events while they are happening. There’s always a story behind a picture. You can gain a lot of inspiration by following design pros. You never know when you will see new colour combinations or uses for decorative items that you hadn’t thought about before.

Flickr

Flickr is another picture showcase where you will find lots of ingenious ideas and ways to spice up your décor. It is very popular and allows you to use the pictures under a general Creative Commons license. If you find a picture that you love, you can print and frame it for your own décor.

Although there are other social media tools you can use to connect with others and draw inspiration from, these are the most engaging. All it takes is a few minutes to get connected with each one. With interior design, a little exploration can go a long way. Let your inner designer shine with social media. You’ll be an interior décor pro in no time!

Richard Tarrant - Bio