We all get our ideas in different ways – and for many of us, finding interior inspiration online certainly isn’t easy. Often what draws us to a space is the feeling it gives us when we’re in it. We can see a photo online and imagine what the textures feel like, but it’s certainly not as inspiring as actually experiencing it. One of the reasons why I have a whole blog category called ‘stylish places’ is because I’m definitely one of those who gets interior inspiration by stepping outside of my home and being in different environments.
Even though lockdown has created a surge in people DIYing and decorating their homes – it’s also lead many of us to have a serious inspiration funk. Even interior experts who are brilliant at transforming a space can end up staring at their own homes and not quite sure what to do with them! I’d compare it to writing an important email or making a difficult decision – the best thing to have a ‘sleep on it’ and then come back refreshed with new ideas. That is so difficult to do when you can’t step away from your home to get that thinking space!
I wanted to share where I get my interior design inspiration online from – and they’re not just the obvious places! I’ve also asked some interior design experts to share their inspiration tips too.
There are of course the usual suspects for online interior inspiration, such as Pinterest, Instagram and Houzz. Although during this tough year of lockdowns, I’ve found most of my interior inspiration elsewhere! As much as I love these social media channels – I find that looking at polished and styled images of stunning homes a little depressing when I’ve been sitting in my own half-finished renovation project! I’ve actually much preferred looking at photos of real homes taken by real people. I’ve found a brilliant Facebook group full of so many brave interior lovers pushing the boundaries of their own design skills. They share advice, tips, ideas and refreshingly – their mistakes too. Because we’re all on a learning curve after all aren’t we? Anyhow… head over to the Rockett St George Interior Advice Forum immediately and join the group – after you’ve finished reading this blog post of course…
There are of course many interior blogs now (there were only a handful of us back in 2014 when I started this blog). You’ll pretty much be able to find an interior blog to suit every style of property and every style of interior. From DIY budget interior blogs to high-end bespoke – and everything in between. There are a few lists of top interior blogs and here are a few to get you started:
- Top 100 interior design bloggers
- Feedspot top 60 interior design blogs UK
- Top 100 Influencers You Need to Know If You Love Design
Where interior design experts get their inspiration from
I find travel here in the UK and abroad inspires my creativity. Trips to London and the galleries usually. However with that off the menu and the stores closed I tried to find inspiration from other sources, especially away from the screen. As the National Trust’s historic houses were still open in the Summer I enjoyed a visit to Standen House. A grade I listed arts and crafts house designed by William Morris with beautiful gardens.
I also invested in a few books to enjoy at home. Bold British Design: Modern living spaces to inspire fearlessness and creativity and At Home in The English Countryside: Designers and their Dogs were my two favourites. There was some guilty screen time inspo though, spent watching Dream Home Makeover with Studio McGee on Netflix!
Gemma Dudgeon, Interior Designer
I’ve also been feeling the impact of not being able to visit showrooms, restaurants, hotels, art galleries – all my go to places that fill my creative well and inspire my design work. Looking at Instagram and the websites of my fellow designers can be hugely inspiring but it can become a little monotonous.
The two things that have helped me enormously this past year are going for walks in nature and short films of art installations. I’ve counted my blessings every day that I live in Devon and there have been two art highlights for me this year; glass artist Arabella Marshall’s film ‘A Wing and A Prayer’ about her installation in Minsmere Chapel on RSPB’s bird reserve on the Suffolk coastline – and Nik Rammage’s chain reaction contraption to celebrate the centenary of Segro.
We’ve all become so much more resourceful over the past year. Whether that’s because you’ve spent so much time alone, or home-schooling or simply making a meal out of whatever’s in your fridge. But being resourceful when it comes to your head-space and inspiration is certainly a challenge!
Natalia xo
*Header image credit: www.vesta-london.co.uk
