5 Most Unlikely Places To Find Décor Inspirations

While design blogs, magazines, and Pinterest are the most common channels for new interior design ideas, there are a myriad of sources to look for inspiration. Open your eyes to the built environment around and you'll gain a fresh slew of inspiration.

1. The office of The Closet Lover, a blogshop, is a lovely combination of Nordic and industrial design, two contrasting styles that juxtapose fittingly. The use of black frame doors and panels helps define different zones, and the meeting room design can easily be rendered into a gorgeous dining room concept at home. Having transparent dining chairs not only lend a contemporary look for the space, but are also a good option to visually “lighten” tight spaces.

Interior Designer: 82

2. If you fancy the edginess of the industrial décor style but worry that its gritty elements might be too somber when used throughout the entire home, take note of how Zeppelin & Co solves this conundrum. By keeping the silhouettes of the chairs and built-in shelves and tables slim, the overall appearance is slick and modern rather than grungy.

The pegboard shelving system is also a brilliant idea for the living room. It provides creative flexibility for display styling and storage options, and you can easily change the shelving permutation to refresh its look. Perfect if you’re a toy collector, bookworm, or music lover thinking of using your prized collectibles as décor accessories!

Interior Designer: Creative Touch Design

3. The eclectic approach of First 25 Café appears both friendly and inviting, and the same vibe can be worked into your own living space with the same materials and styling. First, create visual interest on the walls with raw bricks, concrete, and subway tiles – these add textural depth, but remain as subtle features thanks to their simple colour scheme. Instead of using all three wall treatments in a singular space like in this café, pick one for each area at home to zone spaces with different functions.

The real zing comes from the accessories, which includes bold typography, mismatched furniture, and the seemingly out of place but yet quirky antique-inspired wall mirrors. With a white and grey foundation to build upon, you don’t have to worry about clashing colours. So go ahead and use knick-knacks to imbue the home with your personality!

Interior Designer: D5 Studio Image

4. Not one to shy away from flamboyant design? Consider jazzing up the entire home with black and white checkered floor tiles! This treatment brings to mind colonial bungalows, and instantly uplifts the style quotient of any home’s interiors.

Other steal-worthy ideas in Pets Eden, a spa & salon for furry kids, include the audacious primary colours like blue, red, and green used to contrast with the flooring. While this combination might be too jarring for a home that’s meant for relaxation, it’s a colour scheme that can work for the children’s play area, or entertainment room. And for homeowner with pets, using outdoor furniture indoors can be a good alternative if you’re looking for hardy, water (and other secretion) resistant pieces that are easy to clean.

Interior Designer: i-Bridge Design

5. It’s hard to go wrong with the Scandinavian style. Just like how it’s executed in this SOHO, this popular decor choice often begins with a wide open-plan design for the common area. Knocking down walls to either open up the kitchen or sacrificing one bedroom to expand the living room in a small apartment can make a huge difference in creating a welcoming entrance to the home.

Then fill up the space with a few key furniture pieces, such as a solid wood table and minimalist lights as the main visual anchor, and cosy up the rest of the sections with cowhide or graphic rugs, vividly-coloured cushions, and an artwork or two casually placed on the ground. A grey brick feature wall can also be employed to frame the study or dining area – a subtle way to zone different areas without walls.

Interior Designer: Design Collective

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