INSTANT INSPIRATION
Instagram is great for pictures of food and cute animals, but is it a good source of interiors ideas? Amy Bradford finds out
Instagram offers up a deliciously modern mixture of visual inspiration and harmless voyeurism with a soupçon of something darker: lifestyle envy. I say this as a warning, for know that when you start searching Instagram for decorating ideas, you will experience all three with varying degrees of intensity.
Instagram is vast: type ‘interiors ideas’ into the search box and it’s unlikely you’ll instantly find the inspiration you need to transform that outdated bathroom or tired study. Instead, you need a way in – a key to the secret door that unlocks the gems of Instagram. Seen a great interiors book or magazine shoot? Look up the author, photographer or stylist’s account and do a quick survey of the people they follow while you’re at it. Danish photographer Ditte Isager ( 14; @ditteisager) has an amazing eye. Through her you’ll encounter stylist Hans Blomquist ( 12, 13; @hansblomquist), whose feed is great for inspiration on colours and wall finishes; and H&M Home ( 7; hm_home), which puts up photos to die for.
Your favourite retailers and brands are another hot tip. Toast ( 8; @toast) follows Hackney-based shop Botany ( 4; @botanyshope5) for ideas on indoor greenery, while Brighton homeware store Workshop Living ( 3; @workshopliving) connects you with Japanese photographer and food stylist Keiko Oikawa ( 1; @nordljus), whose pale, tranquil style inspires a flaring of the envy I mentioned earlier.
Of course, while Instagram excels at offering bluesky ideas, it can’t really give you the practical advice you need to turn an image into reality. It’s invaluable for exploring possibilities and focusing your mind on how you might improve a space, but then you’ll need to find the tools, products and professionals that can help you to bring the dream to life. And that’s where magazines like the one you’re holding come in.
Instagram is vast, so you need a way in – a key to the secret door that unlocks the interiors gems