Where to Find Decorating Inspiration

Deciding how to decorate isn't an easy task. With a literally unending variety of choices available choosing a style, color scheme, and overall look can be a little overwhelming. So before getting started have a look around and try to get inspired. You might be surprised at the number of places where interior decorating inspiration can be found.

Decorating Magazines

Home décor magazines are the natural starting point. Look at a bunch of different ones and check out what designers and other homeowners are doing. Don't just look at the types of magazines you normally gravitate towards. Look at magazines that focus on different styles and types of décor. This is a great way to get exposed to different styles.

Movies and Television

Next time you're watching television or a movie pay attention to the set design. The homes, offices, and hotels featured in many are quite stunning and can be great sources of inspiration. Take for example the Hampton's home of Diane Keaton's character in the 2003 comedy Something's Gotta Give. After the movie was released homeowner's everywhere were trying to recreate the relaxed but elegant beach house look featured in the film. More recently the New York apartment of Carrie and Big in Sex and the City 2 has provided inspiration for elegant urban dwellers everywhere.

Fashion and Textiles

Fashions and fabrics are wonderful resources. The pattern on an old afghan or the soft feel of a luxurious sweater can set the tone for an entire room. If you have a dress you really love and want to wear all the time maybe you should think about designing a room to look like it. Think about the look and feel of the item and how you can design a room around it. Consider color, pattern, textures, and style.

Packaging

A lot of thought goes into the packaging of items like soaps, candles, makeup, chocolates, and the like, and they can be wonderful sources of inspiration for room design. The patterned packaging of a luxe soap can make terrific wallpaper. The color of a jewelry box (Tiffany's famous robin's egg blue is a prime example) can make a beautiful wall or sofa color. Hermes's famous orange packaging can make a great accent color in just about any room. When you see some packaging you like hold on to it and pull it out when you're planning your room.

Travel

Travelling to exotic locales is one of the best ways to get inspired. Whether it's a ski chalet in Aspen or an outdoor hotel in Bali surrounded by exotic plants and flowers, different locations can provide all sorts of inspiration. Remember also that you don't have to actually go to these places to get inspired by them. Look at travel magazines and postcards for the same type of inspiration.

Nature

The colors found in flowers, leaves, stones, trees, and everything else in nature can be quite stunning. Decorating inspiration doesn't have to be complicated and sometimes the best ideas can come from the simplest items. A particular green found in a single blade of grass can be the perfect jumping off point for your living room. Or perhaps the pink in a beautiful peony can be the perfect shade for your bedroom walls. Look outside your window and you might just find the inspiration you need.

Inspiration can be found all around us so bring your camera with you everywhere you go. Snap a picture any time you see something you like. Even if you don't know how you'll use it, you might find it comes in really handy when you're searching for decorating ideas.