Too much inspiration, too little action
Too much inspiration – is that even a thing? Actually it is; so much so that there’s even a name for it – inspiration overload. And if you have hundreds of Pinterest boards and Instagram décor likes, but no actual finished home projects, then you could be suffering from it.
We’re going to go ahead and blame lockdown here. Far too much time to browse websites, not nearly enough motivation to actually do anything about it. You look for one thing on the internet and before you know it, it’s five hours later and you’re watching videos on how to make snow globes out of mason jars, wondering how you got there.
It’s no surprise then that you’re feeling stifled and paralysed and unable to actually do anything with your hours of research and reams of inspirational pics and ideas. We don’t blame you – it’s been a strange, crazy time lately. But there does come a point when you need to put down the mouse and start actually doing rather than just looking.
So if that’s you, and you want to move past the frozen, stuck feeling that’s got you firmly in its grasp, there are a few tips that could help you transform your décor ideas into a bold, gorgeous reality:
- Take a break. We realise that sounds counter-intuitive, but actually a little headspace can help a whole lot. If you’re suffering from overwhelm and overload, take a time out and just breathe. Do a meditation, go for a walk – anything that helps you take a mental break from the burden of too much inspiration. When you’re feeling mentally lighter and more able to cope, that’s the time to come back to it.
- Find your focus. Ok you’ve had a break, now let’s get to work. And the main thing you’ll need to focus on is what you want to look at first. It’s no good saying you want to redecorate your whole house, for example – which room do you want to start with specifically? Are there any elements you’d like to concentrate on, such as lighting, paint options, designer wallpaper for walls, styling, décor, etc? Have a think, then once you’ve found your focus point, give yourself 30 minutes, and 30 minutes only to look for inspiration on the internet. And be strict about this!
- Get strategic. Your 30 minutes are up – it’s time to take a look at what you’ve found. Can you see any patterns in the inspirations you’ve chosen, such as colour schemes, décor styles, furniture types and so on? If so, write this down – it’s going to be the foundation on which you build your success.
- Get organised. A tidy mind can’t work in a cluttered space. Give your brain some breathing room by organising all your inspiration so that it’s easy to find and easy to access. Edit your ideas down to your absolute must-haves, then either file these physically if you’re dealing with hard copies, or organise your electronic inspiration into files on either Google Drive or iCloud. You’ll immediately feel a sense of relief once everything has found its place.
- Decide on a budget. It’s no good dreaming up ideas about lavish window treatments if you can barely afford curtains. Before you unleash your inner interior designer, make sure you set yourself a budget first, and then stick to it. You’ll find it’ll help you streamline your ideas even more, and allow you to design a space that both you and your bank balance are happy with.
- Be realistic. Before you fly off and start creating design perfection, come back down to earth for a moment. You’ve got your inspiration and you’ve got your budget, but is what you’re wanting to achieve actually realistic? Can you find what you want, and is it readily available or will you have to wait a few weeks for it to be delivered? And is it really practical, and in keeping with your lifestyle and your aesthetic? If you can ask these questions honestly and you’re happy with the answers, then you’re good to go.
- Trust your gut. Don’t you hate it when you show your ideas to a friend and they’re either neutral about what you want to do, or worse, they pour cold water on everything? At the end of the day, you’re the one who’s going to be living with your choices day in and day out, so if you genuinely connect with your design vision, then ignore the negative attitudes of others and go with your gut. Ask 100 people and you’ll get 100 opinions. The only one that truly matters is your own.
- Do your research. Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, and the more knowledge you have, the more powerful the end result will be. So pull out all the stops – be curious, ask questions, do your homework, and make sure you know everything there is to know about products, finishes, contractors and regulations. This is your space – make it a fabulous one!
- Set a deadline. This is arguably one of the most important parts of any project, design or otherwise. If you don’t have a deadline, and a timeline that’s pushing you to get things done, your vision will never see the light of day. To make your design inspiration a reality, set yourself a realistic deadline, draw up a timeline, and make sure you hit every one of your milestones. This will help keep you on track and on budget, and ensure that you finally bring your ideas to life!
- Move onto the next project. Finally ticked the first item off your design to-do list? Then it’s time to move onto the next one – and it’s here where your careful organisation will come in so handy. You’ll have all your inspiration neatly filed away, and you’ll have a checklist to work from too, so you won’t get frozen or paralysed by inactivity again. So whether your project involves buying a new lamp for your lounge or choosing new designer wallpaper for walls, you’ll know exactly what you need to do in order to cross it off your list.
Need some help?
That’s what decorators and interior designers are for! If you’re finding it too difficult to get your ideas off the ground by yourself, or you’d simply like the help and expertise of a professional, just reach out and find the guidance you’re looking for. Ask for references from family and friends, do some research on the web and social media, and find the professional that’s the right fit for you and your vision. With so many options available today, you’ll be able to choose from offerings like virtual consultations, digital storyboards, and even a full design package – it all depends on your budget.
It’s all about bringing your design vision to life – and the sooner you’re able to be inspired again, the sooner you can start creating the home of your dreams!
And remember, the Dreamweaver team is always on hand to guide you and introduce you to the finest most exclusive international Designer Wallpaper for every kind of living space.