Do you find it hard to make decorating or styling decisions for your home? In this post I share the questions I ask when studying inspiration rooms. These prompts help me get ideas and discover my own style.
When I think of beautifully layered, thoughtfully designed rooms, designer Sarah Richardson often comes to mind. Her talent for mixing color and pattern — especially in spaces that aren’t strictly neutral — is inspiring. Lately I’ve been drawn to her cottage and farmhouse rooms; they feel cozy, playful and welcoming.
Neutral rooms are easy to update for the season: add texture with a throw, a new pillow and a pumpkin and a neutral space can feel instantly autumnal. Creating a room with layered color, texture, pattern and visual interest, though, takes more thought and time. It rarely comes together overnight.
One exercise I enjoy is playing the “observation game” with inspiration photos. Even rooms that aren’t exactly my taste can expand my eye for design. Studying carefully chosen images helps me absorb ideas I can adapt to my own home.
There are many lessons to learn from close observation. Start with a room or designer you admire, or simply a photo you love. Look for the elements that draw you in: the furniture, the color scheme, architectural details, or the way accessories are arranged. Noticing those specifics gives you practical ideas you can use.
I used to play this game with magazines before blogs and Instagram existed. There were only a few rooms I loved in each issue, and I would study those and adapt ideas to my own home. I miss that simple, creative process. Today there’s an abundance of images at our fingertips, which can be inspiring but also overwhelming: too many ideas, options and opinions.
If you’re redesigning a whole house, browsing many images can be useful. But if you want a few seasonal updates, it’s often more productive to focus on a handful of favorites, then step away from your devices. Give yourself space to experiment — that’s where your own style will emerge.
Studying a few images in depth helps you notice details you might otherwise miss and gives you clear, actionable takeaways you can try at home.
Here are a few questions I like to ask when I study inspiration rooms:
- How would you describe the style of this room?
- What is the mood of the space? What about it feels inspiring?
- What might the personality or lifestyle be of someone who lives here? Would that lifestyle suit your family?
- What are the first elements you notice on a quick glance?
- What subtle details become apparent when you look closer — shapes, textures, color relationships, proportions and patterns?
- How does the architecture influence the room? Do you have similar architectural features or could you introduce something comparable?
- Do you like the color palette? How would the room feel with a different palette?
- Examine the art and accessories and their placement. What do you like or dislike about them?
- What simple, practical ideas could you borrow from this room?
Do you enjoy browsing home inspiration photos? Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the volume of ideas online? How do you narrow selections to what will work for you?
Photos: Sarah Richardson Design
If you want more design inspiration, consider joining my free group, The Inspired Room Community. It’s a welcoming place to share photos of your home, post projects, ask design questions and receive encouraging feedback. The group is a positive space for home lovers and followers of The Inspired Room.
Join The Inspired Room Community here.
Related Fall Nesting posts you might enjoy:
Tips to Decorate Your Fall Living Room
Cozy Fall Throw Blankets
My Favorite Fall Decor in My Cozy Fall Shop
14 Ideas for a Cozy Fall Kitchen
Make Your Home the Coziest It Can Be (3 Take Away Tips)
Fall Puttering Playlist
Cozy Self-Care Corner Must-Haves
Four Essential Home Making Practices for Every Season
Fall Nesting and Doormats
How to Dwell Well This Fall
How to Decorate with Faux Fall Foliage
Click here for inspiration from previous year’s Fall Nesting Series!
