5 Sources of Inspiration for Design Projects

I am often asked, “how do you come up with a design idea for a client”? This is a great question, but the process is different with each person I work with! And if you are like me, the variety of appealing design ideas often makes it hard to narrow down the possibilities.

First and foremost, the design style must be something that pleases the client. They are the ones who will live with and enjoy the outcome for many years. The process must also be collaborative, taking into account their individual preferences and needs. Knowing where to start can sometimes be challenging, but some of the best design inspirations come from a single element. 

Here are 5 Examples of How I Get Design Inspiration

Tudor Style Kitchen Complements 1928 Tudor Home

Style of Home

Often a home’s architectural style can influence a remodel design. For example, a Craftsman home has many directions available that would be appropriate. Since the Craftsman movement has much of its foundation in England and Asia, the style could be pushed in either direction.

Using the home’s architectural style is always a good jumping-off place, then we use the clients’ personal style to detail the project.

Here you can see an example of a project where we designed the kitchen to complement the Tudor architecture of the client’s space.

A Focus Element

A single idea can inspire an entire kitchen or home design! It might be a design style, like mid-century modern or craftsman. It could be the desire for a focus feature (big picture window, grand fireplace, or area to showcase a treasured collection). Once this focus is selected, clients are astonished at how quickly the rest of the plan can fall into place.

Purpose

How the room is to be used can also help determine design style. For example, a media room might dictate dim lighting and soft seating, while a home office demands a lot of natural lighting. Similarly, a child’s bedroom will suggest a very different style than an adult bedroom.

Color

Color preference is intensely personal. Picking a cool soothing color for a bedroom (think pastels and light neutrals) will help shape up the design plan. Alternatively, picking vibrant, playful colors for a workspace or kitchen will lead to an entirely different look.

Serendipity

Often, a client will see something that so captivates them that it inspires a project. It could be the design of a friend’s home, a magazine photo, or a piece of tile seen in a store display.

Remember that the design process is all about the client, and my goal is to create beautiful, functional designs that fit their personal style.