Decorating Guides
Mood Makers: Make Your Home Inspiring
Inspiration freshens our minds and uplifts our spirits. See how to style your rooms to be a wonderful source of it in your home
Most of us want to create a home that guests will admire — but have you ever thought about decorating your home to inspire? If you're not sure what I mean, have a look at these ideas to make the spaces in your house more inspiring to all those who enter.
When a fabulous library shares space with a previously underused dining room, guests will be inspired to take a fresh look at their own underused spaces. Dining rooms and formal parlors can be lonely rooms, but they can come alive again when filled with amazing books.
Painting moody or vivid colors on the backs of shelving can highlight books and art objects. Unusual and unexpected groupings of furniture like the one here can inspire conversation and deep thoughts in those who spend time in this room.
Using bold paint colors and unexpected color combinations can embolden you to take risks and step out of your decorating comfort zone. Think of the exhilarating conversation that must take place in this dining room. As my mother always said, there are no decorating police, so don't handcuff yourself by making the same color and decor choices as your neighbors.
Displaying amazing art is another way to inspire those who enter your space. In this Nashville, Tennessee, client's home, I grouped frames with different detailing but the same finish to make her art collection cohesive but not boring.
Groupings of collected items or photography elevate the individual items displayed — the grouping itself is artful! I love how these inexpensive framed photos, mirror and coral tray look together in this inspired wall grouping.
This space is inspiring for a variety of reasons. The bold choice of wall color, unexpected flooring finish, beautiful baby grand piano and impressive art all arouse the imagination.
I would be remiss if I didn't encourage you to install an actual inspiration board. Use one or more to collect photos, words and ideas to motivate and encourage you and your family.
You can even make your own inspiration board with some colored electrical or duct tape on your wall, like in this photo.
We can all use a little encouragement and inspiration. If only a recipe printed on the wall in my kitchen would inspire me to cook ...
Tell us: How do you decorate your space to inspire?
Tell us: How do you decorate your space to inspire?