Home remodels are exciting until you realize you aren’t entirely sure what you want. You just know you want something different than what you have now. Consider this your design inspiration rescue! Discovering your home’s style requires a few key elements, and I’m going to share everything you need to know to get that “something different” you’ve been longing for.

FIND INSPIRATION

If you’re unsure where to begin, the best way to find inspiration is by exploring the world around you, both on and offline. Pinterest is for more than fashion and food; it’s an extensive resource for homeowners looking to reinvent their square footage into something that fits their needs and their style.

Houzz is another valuable resource for design inspiration. You can explore different categories and rooms, and if you like the designer’s work, you can view their profile for business information and reviews. Houzz also offers a way to browse their extensive list of design styles, which is beneficial if you aren’t sure how to communicate your vision to an interior designer.

Both of these websites offer a way to bookmark your favorites. Pinterest requires you pin to your Boards, and Houzz allows you to save your favorites to Idea Books. These free resources open you up to ideas you may not have otherwise discovered, helping you create a space you’ll love.

Another benefit of using images is that they really do speak 1,000 words. Offering your potential interior designer image examples gives them a specific idea of what you do and don’t like so your project is a success.

TAKE AN INTERIOR DESIGN QUIZ

Really? Yes, really. If you have no idea what terms to use but you know what you do and don’t like, these quizzes can direct you towards a style that matches your vision. An interior design quiz typically includes a series of questions that narrow down your preferences. Once all the questions are answered, you’ll receive the best guess for your style.

While these may not have 100% accuracy, these interior design quizzes can help you determine the right terms to use so your interior designer can create the finished product you’ve been dreaming of.

 

We recommend using The Designer Society of America’s quiz. It begins with how you want your home to feel, rather than how you want it to look. This distinction offers a more accurate answer that may just surprise you. The other 12 questions focus on design elements for chairs, flooring, patterns, and more, all designed to help you find your preferred home style.

You’ll also receive recommendations for magazines so you can discover more about your style.

USE YOUR STYLE TO FIND THE RIGHT INTERIOR DESIGNER

While images can significantly help the design process, it’s also important to have a few terms to support thorough communication with potential interior designers.

Just like you want to find the right interior designer, they want to know if you will be a good fit for them. Are you looking for “Fixer Upper” and they’re more contemporary? Knowing basic style terms, even if it’s what you don’t want gives a potential interior designer context. You want a superb finished product, which means your visions need to align. Once you find them, your project will be off to a fantastic start.

Discovering your home’s style shouldn’t be the hardest part of the process. (That’s waiting for the finished product!) Instead of stressing, use images and quizzes to help pair you with not only your home’s style, but also an interior designer who is a perfect match for your home remodel. Once you’ve found your style and are ready to talk to an interior designer, give me a call. I would be thrilled to work with you to create a stunning finished product.