Pinterest is an amazing source of inspiration from all things A-Z (literally, type in Zebra and see what pops up). If you are new to Pinterest, you may not realize that it is a search engine. By that I mean you can find information on just about any topic. Pinterest is also a visual platform, which is why we are so drawn to it. Because of the visual impact, Design Pros love Pinterest as well. It helps us with planning a project and gaining insight into what our clients love.
When it comes to planning for or even dreaming about your perfect home, Pinterest is a great way to organize your project from the big picture to the smallest detail. For my veteran Pinterest junkies, raise your hand if you have a slew of Pinterest boards – boards with images you’d love to live in. I see a lot of raised hands! There is nothing wrong with pinning every bit of inspiration, but if you are working towards a goal of remodeling, renovating, or purchasing a dream home, there is a more systematic approach that can help guide and inform you with those decisions.
Where To Start
Let’s begin by focusing on three aspects of any design project.
- The Big Picture – figuring out the overall concept or general style
- Permanent Fixtures – Windows, doors, flooring, cabinet styles
- The Details – Decorative lighting, cabinet pulls, mirrors, finishes and, furniture
What Is Your Overall Vibe?
When you look at your current boards, what images do you see over and over? Are you continuously pinning spaces with high ceilings and large, sweeping windows? What about style – are you drawn to dark, moody spaces or bright and open rooms? Take a look at what you tend to gravitate to 85% of the time. Remove images that don’t fit in with the majority.
Permanent Fixtures
Let’s look at the next layer, permanent fixtures. Of all the photos you have saved which features stand out more often? Do you gravitate towards wood floors? Do you like bright, white kitchens with Shaker-style cabinets or wood cabinets with a more traditional door style? Think about those features that will not change 5 to 10 years down the road such as flooring, windows, doors, and cabinets. Read more about Cabinet Color Trends HERE.
The Details
This is where you get down to the nitty-gritty. This is arguably the most challenging phase of any project and where Pinterest can be a life-saver! In my opinion, this is what makes or breaks a design project and turns it into something truly special. During this phase, I recommend creating sub-categories or boards to make it easier to focus on the minute details. Some of the boards I would create in this phase are:
- Wall Treatments
- Lighting
- Plumbing Fixtures
- Millwork (trim/baseboards)
- Tile
- Solid Surfaces (countertops)
- Paint
- Window Treatments
- Furniture
- Cabinet Hardware
When you pin something write what you love about it in the description so that you won’t forget later.
Lastly, and most importantly, will the items you’ve pinned work with your lifestyle? If you have pets and children, will white floors be practical to maintain or will you be constantly worried about keeping them clean? Be honest with yourself and your lifestyle.
Keep in mind that most of us have several sides to our design personality. For this exercise stay focused on the big picture or overall concept in order to design a space that feels cohesive. Once you have finished pinning and organizing your boards, you can begin researching materials and where to find them. This is also a job that can be handed off to your interior designer or contractor.
One last word – for those looking to purchase a move-in-ready home. You can follow this same routine however, be flexible, it is difficult to find a home that has all of your wants. You may need to compromise by getting most of what you want and saving some projects for later on.
Happy House Hunting!
