Where do you get your design inspo? I am starting a bathroom / bedroom renovation and I feel so lost!

Question

GK · Answer

Dwell - Modern Home Design Ideas: I think it depends on the style you're after, but for our remodel we relied a lot on dwell magazine. If you like modern, it's a great resource. Also, searching for a particular style on Instagram, if you're on that platform, was also helpful.

Emily Donohoo · Answer

Magazines on the Libby app: You can browse magazines with your library card. Besides the standard design mags like Architectural Digest, Dwell, Elle Decor, Vogue Living, there’s also travel titles and international editions. I’ve found an affinity for design regions which helped narrow style and focus.

(I recommend a tablet for browsing if you have one)

Clara · Answer

Japanese design magazines: These are so good, you don’t even need to understand them. Literally. I first got one as a little fun inspo when I adopted my cat — so many American and Western pet accoutrements are deeply, heinously ugly — but have since developed a bit of a bad habit whenever I spot an intriguing issue in a Kinokuniya bookstore. My absolute faves are the kitchen design ones.

Jennifer · Answer

ChatGPT (don’t hate me!): I found it so helpful to take a pic of my space and tell it to help me  and make an inspiration pic. It gave me visual starting point for my particular space and I was able to go from there. Pinterest and design blogs are so often dealing with architecturally not normal spaces and that makes it hard to visualize! This was you can at least get an idea of how it could possibly look and then go use those other online spaces to help. Also get design books from any instagram designers you like from the library!

Laura Messersmith · Answer

Art, Travel, Nature, Culture: Design inspiration can come from so many sources, which is definitely overwhelming!

In my work I look to art, travel, movies, music, and nature for unique color combinations, forms, and feelings that relate to the person I’m designing for. Think about what moves you and how you want to feel in your new space.

I also ask my clients lots of questions about how they live, what is working (or not) about their current space, favorite colors, family members, values, etc.

The selections are guided from there because they meet both criteria: feeling right and functioning well for the client’s individual needs & preferences.

So for your project I’d brainstorm on those two topics and let that guide your choices!

Sarah · Answer

The House Book by Terence Conran: Start here! Timeless ideas, thoughtful things to consider, not just aesthetics but the practical pieces too.