When it comes to interior design, inspiration can be found in many forms, even non-visual. One such type of inspiration is quotes. Insightful quotes on the design process have the power to evoke encouragement, spark creativity, and most importantly, boost one’s confidence when attempting to create uniquely beautiful spaces.
Whether you’re a homeowner, an interior designer, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of a well-designed space, quotes about interior design can inspire and motivate you to create the home of your dreams.
In this article, we explore a collection of quotes that will encourage you to start your own creative journey confidently as you aim to transform your home into a reflection of your unique style and personality.
Table of Contents
- Quotes about Confidence When Making Design Choices
- Quotes about Telling a Story through Design
- Quotes about Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality
- Quotes about Designing for Comfort & Wellness
- References
Also see:
Quotes About Confidence When Making Design Choices
In terms of confidence, we can never overstate the importance that homeowners internalize that they –not their hired designers – will have to live with any major design choices made. No matter how adamant or persuasive outside opinions may be, never forget that you, as the homeowner, know your home better than anyone else and know what it’s like to live there.
“Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.”
– Billy Baldwin
Why We Love This Quote
When in doubt, go with what you know and what you really like. This is especially important when design preferences have underlying meaning to you, such as décor items connected to special life experiences, memories, affinities, and interests.
“When something feels off, it is.”
– Abraham Hicks
Why We Love This Quote
When something feels off, sound the alarms immediately and start asking questions. Again, you need to trust and respect your instincts about your home, as you are the expert in this “discipline”.
“The best way to accomplish serious design…is to be totally and completely unqualified for the job.”
– Paula Scher, American Graphic Designer
Why We Love This Quote
Though we are not exactly sure of the underlying meaning of this quote, it resonates with us as we know that all homeowners will eventually need to get out of their comfort zones. Feeling intimidated by a looming project can often be sufficient motivation to learn quickly and cleverly in order to overcome a given challenge.
“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
– Sylvia Plath
Why We Love This Quote
Again, be sure to trust your instincts when it comes to your home, e.g.: how it flows; new ways you want experience it; things you don’t like about it; spaces that don’t “work”; etc. The best response to “doubt” is to keep learning, asking questions, gathering ideas and being determined.
“Design is the art of constraints.”
– Charles Eames
Why We Love This Quote
Constraints are imperative with any project, especially home improvement projects. Well-defined “constraints” (e.g. timeline, budget, aesthetic preferences, objectives, etc.) will boost your confidence heading into a design project, as the scope will become more manageable. Said another way, artists also need constraints (e.g. materials, medium, subject, etc.) as it would be too difficult to start otherwise and near impossible to end any given creative endeavor.
Also see:
“If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.”
– Steve Jobs
Why We Love This Quote
When you have a key design need, don’t settle for second best. Though not every design decision can be classified as “high-priority”, you will quickly know which features are most important to you, so be determined to find the right item and solution that will meet your vision!
“Pick what you like because living with a trend that is not you is never a good choice.”
– Thomas Pheasant, Interior & Product Designer
Why We Love This Quote
This is another reminder to not be pushed in a direction that your gut tells you not to go. This is especially important when involving more permanent fixtures and materials, such as flooring, tile, countertops and cabinets. If a bold design option is recommended, consider instead using “less-permanent” approaches, such as paint, art work, or statement furniture pieces.
“The unexpected will arise — and the unexpected always costs money.”
– New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) Publication “Home: The Foundations of Spaces”
Why We Love This Quote
Planning to encounter something unexpected in a major home improvement project is vital for both your finances, as well as your mental health. This type of anticipation involves allocating a percentage of your total project budget (e.g. 15%) for “unknowns”. It also includes padding the schedule with extra time to absorb unexpected delays (e.g. product availability; inclement weather; labor unavailability; change requests; etc.).
Also see:
“Don’t be afraid to experiment – not everything has to match. A house that is 100% perfect is rarely full of charm.”
– Rebecca de Ravenel, New York Interior Designer
Why We Love This Quote
Some home projects may feel like you can’t start without the “perfect plan” or “perfect knowledge” or “perfect timing”. Taking a “let’s experiment” approach can be extremely liberating as it can help prove out a larger design concept on a smaller scale, for example. Trying new things in smaller spaces and modest budgets, and then adjusting or scrapping the results altogether will certainly help grow your confidence to take on larger projects in the future.
Quotes about Telling a Story through Design
With concerns over protecting home valuations influencing preferences for safe, neutral designs, we encourage all homeowners to start expressing themselves well before it’s time to sell your home! Without a doubt the best interior spaces tell an intriguing story of who lives there when designed effectively.
A memorable example of this type of design was experienced many years ago when attending a dinner party at a colonial townhome of a world traveler in the Washington, D.C. area. The home creatively showcased mementos from countless trips, including items such as: hats; religious artifacts; and black and white photos of locals. The photos made the most lasting impression as they were an eclectic mix of portraits of people encountered in various festive and interesting situations. Displaying the photographic works on the walls of a long entrance hallway, immediately grabbed the attention of guests, as if they were visiting an exclusive private gallery.
Here are a few quotes to inspire you to tell a story without having to “open your mouth”.
“Become the set designer of your own home.”
– Marina Coates, Designer
Why We Love This Quote
Though oblivious to many casual observers, Hollywood set designers have been perfecting the art of storytelling through set design since the start of the movie industry. Marina Coates’ mission as a designer is to help others create memorable spaces of tone and atmosphere by applying set design secrets of the cinema.
Also see:
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”
– Rachel Zoe
Why We Love This Quote
This quote perfectly describes how one’s interior design can share personal context with guests without needing to speak.
“Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love.”
– Nate Berkus, American Interior Designer
Why We Love This Quote
Showcasing a collective personality in one’s home is worthy for several reasons:
- It prevents your home from looking and feeling like a mass-produced, commodity product
- Reminds you of your unique and meaningful life experiences on a daily basis
- Fosters opportunities for guests to get to know you better and to share their own experiences and backgrounds
“I always put in one controversial item. It makes people talk.”
– Dorothy Draper, Interior Product Designer
Why We Love This Quote
Again, many homeowners may be subconsciously influenced to take an overly muted approach to their home décor. Showcasing something unexpected, such as unique items on a coffee table, can make a space feel new and interesting again. Similar in spirit to seasonal decorations, you can treat parts of your home as a “personally curated museum” by periodically highlighting items within themes of special meaning to you.
“The best rooms have something to say about the people who live in them.”
– David Hicks
Why We Love This Quote
When adding personality and story-telling to your home, you can start by choosing a less formal and private area of the home, such as a family room, media room, or finished basement. For example, we enjoy adding mementos from special concerts we’ve attended over the years to our theater/media room.
“Design in the absence of content is not design; it’s decoration.”
– Jeffrey Zeldman
Why We Love This Quote
Without incorporating truly unique pieces of décor, furniture or art work from one’s life experiences, a home’s décor may come across as simply visual decoration that lacks substance.
Quotes about Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality
Interior design is not just about aesthetics. It’s about creating spaces that serve a purpose. Designing with functionality in mind ensures that a room not only looks good but also meets the needs and lifestyle of its occupants.
The seamless integration of form and function is the hallmark of successful design. While aesthetics are always a high priority, they should not compromise the usability and effectiveness of the design. Great design should harmoniously merge visual appeal with practicality. Acoustic panels is a perfect example of effectively combining art with utility.
In terms of design for the home, we recommend that homeowners give more emphasis to functionality, as highly functional spaces are more challenging to design, and more costly to make adjustments afterward.
“Design is not just about making things beautiful; it’s also about making things work beautifully.”
– Roger Martin
Why We Love This Quote
This is a reminder that figuring out a new functional layout for an important part of the house can take a long time. For our remodeled master suite and bathroom, the design incrementally evolved over an eight year period, as we encountered several project “false starts”. Fortunately, each time we engaged with a potential contractor, the vision for the space became stronger and better defined.
“Design must reflect the practical and aesthetic in business but above all… good design must primarily serve people.”
– Thomas J. Watson Jr., Designer
Why We Love This Quote
This is another reminder that any proposed design needs to work for your key needs and requirements.
“A design isn’t finished until someone is using it.”
– Brenda Laurel
Why We Love This Quote
When thinking of interior design, thorough forethought of how a space will be used is crucial for ensuring an effective design. Designers and home contractors never actually use the spaces they create after their work is done. You, of course, will, so make sure you thoroughly visualize, measure and “walkthrough” how you plan to use a given space – especially kitchens!
Also allocate sufficient “usage time” for a new space before signing off on a punch list, or have a well-defined warranty period to correct any unforeseen imperfections.
“Kitchens should be designed around what’s really important: fun, food and life.”
– David Boulud, French Chef and Restauranteur
Why We Love This Quote
Kitchen design is terrific example where outside seasoned experts can really help homeowners design not only a beautiful space with lots of amenities, but one that flows well for a wide range of applications. A well-designed kitchen should work for large social gatherings, but also for day-to-day usage of busy families, both big and small. It should also strive to serve as the central hub of the home.
“Lighting is everything. It creates atmosphere, drama, and intrigue in a room.”
– Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Why We Love This Quote
Since we love design that offers seamless flexibility, modern lighting is a perfect example of flexible capabilities that straddle aesthetics on one end and functionality on the other. The never-ending options of programmable LED lighting can transform any space to suit a wide-range of applications, e.g.: well-lit tasks, relaxation, media consumption and festive atmospheres.
Quotes about Designing for Comfort & Wellness
Interior surroundings have a significant impact on our emotions and well-being. Thoughtfully designed spaces that promote comfort, relaxation, and positive energy can contribute to healthier and happier lifestyles.
Ultimately, interior design should bring joy and happiness to those who experience it. It’s about creating spaces that evoke positive emotions, inspire creativity, and provide comfort and solace.
“There are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for.”
– Milton Glaser
Why We Love This Quote
We specifically love the word “WOW!” in this quote, as it is a reminder that many “design wows” may come from experiencing a renovated space over time, and not just the initial “visual wow”. A simple, but effective example of this concept is being able to enjoy a serene outdoor area for the first time. Though new outdoor furniture, with sun umbrella, make this type of experience possible, the “wow factor” seeps in after the “outdoor comfort zone” becomes part of an enjoyable and healthy lifestyle.
“Real comfort, visual and physical, is vital to every room.”
– Mark Hampton
Why We Love This Quote
Comfort is another “when-in-doubt” rule of thumb. A room designed with comfort in mind will be easy to access, easy to enjoy and easy to maintain.
“Luxury must be comfortable otherwise it is not luxury.”
– Coco Chanel, Fashion Designer
Why We Love This Quote
We appreciate seeing “comfortable” being connected with “luxury”, as it may be liberating for many non-professional designers. After all, what homeowner wouldn’t want to experience either “comfortable luxury” or “luxurious comfort” in their homes on a daily basis?
“The boundary between indoors and out has become increasingly porous. Outdoor living mimics indoor life in terms of the type and variety of activities that take place there…”
– New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) Publication “Home: The Foundations of Spaces”
Why We Love This Quote
As strong proponents of indoor-outdoor living, we like this quote as it serves as validation for the trends we have been witnessing and experiencing over recent years. Spending quality time outdoors is critical for one’s physical and mental well-being. In response to this need, there has been a surge of creative products that can help extend one’s home outside, no matter the space and climate challenges one may face.
“A room is not a room without natural light.”
– Louis Kahn
Why We Love This Quote
We selected this quote as a reminder to how important natural light is to home wellness. Keep in mind that there are wide-ranging products that are facilitating more natural light to permeate one’s home, including ways to prevent damage from excessive sunlight (e.g. heat and UV rays).
Also see:
References
The following websites were referenced to curate uniquely helpful interior design quotes related to topics of great interest to homeowners.
- Top Interior Design Quotes by Swatchbox
- 15 of Our Favorite Quotes About Design by Elle Decor
- 10 Interior Design Quotes That Will Inspire Your Next Reno by Better Homes & Garden
- My 11 Top Interior Design Quotes to Use on Instagram by Design by Anaïs
- 10 Inspiring Quotes From NYSID’s New Bible of Design by Interior Design
- 29 Design Quotes by Vivienne Rouseauu
Recommended Interior Design & Home Décor Articles
- 5 Stylish Ideas to Make Your House Look New & Feel Like Home
- 8 Spa Décor Ideas to Make Your Home More Comfortable & Relaxing
- Why Coffee Tables are Key to the Design of Living Room Spaces
- 7 Low-Cost Ideas to Make Your Home Office Comfortable & Productive
- Top 5 Color Schemes for Your Living Room
- How Window Treatments Can Transform a Room
- Need Renovation Inspiration? Try These Innovative Design Resources!
- How to Protect Your Indoor Furnishings from UV Rays
- How to Choose Interior Design Services from Virtual to Full-Service
- How Homeowners Can Work Successfully with an Interior Designer
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