Finding Your Design Inspiration

How to start an interior design? How do you make a room cohesive? How do you define your style? This is where many people get stuck, and it's the very beginning of the process!

To start a design project you need inspiration. Ask 5 artist where they find inspiration and you will get 5 different answers! That idea may be intimidating to someone who does not see them self as an artist. But I'll let you in on a secret....Inspiration is EVERYWHERE! When you find yours, you will have a road map to make your home will feel EXACTLY like YOU!

Ok, so inspiration everywhere........ummm where? Here are a few ideas on where to look for your inspiration.

When I am designing bedrooms I like to find inspiration in my clients closets. Clothes are a personal expression we wear. Go take a look! Find your favorite outfit. What do you like about it? What are the textures, colors, sheen, mood of your outfit? Is it comfy, sexy, casual, or formal? Is it brightly patterned, or a mixture of shiny satins and nubby tweeds? Is it monochromatic, or a visual party? These answers will help you refine your design style.

Food is another source for inspiration. Foods have wonderful colors and textures. Many of us look to food for comfort. And many of our favorite traditions center around food. But remember, don't be TOO literal when using food as your inspiration!! Think of the feeling evoked by your favorite meal, and take cues from the colors and textures.

Is your next project a family space? Why not dig through that box of family photos to find your inspiration? A favorite vacation can become a favorite room! The best part of this inspiration is you can then frame your photos and you have your artwork to hang!

If you know you want to use a rug in a room, I advise you choose the rug near the beginning of the design process. Many people leave this as the last item they choose. This is a mistake, because there are many more options in paint and upholstery than carpets and rugs. If you shop rugs first and fall involve with one, you can use it as your inspiration for the rest of the room. If you wait until the room is designed, you will most likely end up with a rug you find adequate, but not necessarily love.

Curb Appeal

Everyone has heard the term "curb appeal." But what does that mean? And more importantly, how do you get it? Never fear, I have outlined several easy & inexpensive improvements you can make, to get GREAT curb appeal.

**WARNING: all the photos attached are of REAL homes for sale RIGHT NOW in Salt Lake City. Many of the homes are suffering from multiple bad decisions made by their owners. Names have been changed to protect the innocent, parental discretion advised! ;o)

GOOD

"Curb appeal" is used to describe the first impression your house gives to potential buyers. When shopping for a home, you might hear your realtor say something like "It has great curb appeal!"

In our digital world curb appeal is EVEN more important! Most buyers are surfing real estate listings, and telling their realtor what properties they want to go look at. Your house may only have 1 exterior picture to win a potential client!

Improving the exterior image of your home, maybe the best money you spend when getting ready to go on the market. Because, if you can't make a good 1st impression, many buyers will not take a closer look. Many times simple fixes can go a long way to making your home more photogenic, and improving it's curb appeal.

BAD

1. MOVE YOUR CAR(S)

You are not selling your car! It should not be in your exterior picture!

Of course you can park in your drive while while your house is listed, but MAKE SURE to move your vehicle when you are showing your house! You want your buyer to feel like THEY COULD LIVE IN YOUR HOME! Making them walk across your lawn, or shimmy by your car does not accomplish this!

2. PUT AWAY YOUR GARBAGE CANS!

Garbage cans are NEVER attractive! They are an essential part of our modern life, but they should be considered a given. You don't need to let your buyers know you have city garbage service by showing the cans in your picture!

Sometimes, to get your listing up quickly, your realtor or photographer will take an exterior picture of your home without making an appointment. If this happens and you end up with a picture from garbage day, ask for your pictures to be retaken.

3. CLEAN UP YOUR STUFF!

This on should be a no brain-er! Put your stuff AWAY. You don't want the snow shovel and kids toys in your picture! This rule should apply throughout the home selling process. Roll up the hose, and replace the grill cover every time you use them! Sweep your walks & porch regularly. You never know when you may get the call from your realtor that someone wants to look at your home!

4. TRIM YOUR TREES AND HEDGES!

You may LOVE your trees, but if they are blocking the view of you home from the street, they need to be trimmed back. Remember, the exterior picture is sometimes the only chance your home has to woo a potential buyer, it is helpful if they can actually SEE your house!

5. WATER YOUR LAWN & WEED YOUR PLANTERS

If you don't have auto sprinklers, water by hand! A nice green lawn is very attractive in pictures, and leaves a potential buyers with the impression that you care about your home & have taken good care of it.

GOOD
6. PLANT SOME FLOWERS

Flowers are cheery, flowers are happy, flowers are welcoming, flowers mean you care.

You don't have to go over board with the flowers. But adding color to bare planters will help your curb appeal. If you have large planters, use mulch to fill in between immature plants.

For most people, these 6 steps will be enough to boost their curb appeal. Even if you home needs more TLC than covered here, these steps are a good place to start! So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, and boost your curb appeal!