Plan & Prep Phase|Step 5 of 28
Gather Inspiration
Save 5-10 photos of living rooms you love and look for patterns. If you notice you keep saving rooms with warm wood tones and white walls, that's your style talking.
Time Required
1-2 hours
Cost
$0
Difficulty
Very Easy
Where to Find Inspiration
- Pinterest: Search "living room update" or "modern living room makeover" — save to a dedicated board
- Instagram: Follow interior designers and search hashtags like #livingroomdesign
- Houzz: Great for browsing by style (modern, traditional, transitional, farmhouse)
- Design magazines: Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and Real Simple for curated ideas
- Showrooms: Visit furniture stores to see real pieces and materials in person
- Friends' homes: Recently updated living rooms you admire are the most realistic reference
How to Analyze Your Saves
1
Identify color patterns
Are you drawn to neutrals, bold colors, or earth tones? Most people gravitate toward a consistent palette without realizing it.
2
Notice material preferences
Do you keep saving rooms with hardwood floors? Velvet sofas? Natural stone? These are clues about where to invest your budget.
3
Separate style from substance
A room might look great because of lighting, not furniture. Ask what specifically makes each saved photo appealing — the answer guides your spending.
Pro Tips
- •Save rooms similar to yours: A 3,000 sq ft great room won't translate to a 250 sq ft apartment living room. Find inspiration that matches your space size.
- •Note what you dislike too: Knowing what you hate is just as useful. Save a few "absolutely not" images to clarify boundaries.
- •Create a mood board: Arrange your top 5-8 images together. If they don't feel cohesive, you may be mixing incompatible styles.
- •Bring photos shopping: Having reference images on your phone helps salespeople understand your vision and suggest matching products.