Pinterest Is Great for Interior Design Inspiration—But Here’s What Can Go Wrong

Pinterest is a wonderful tool for seeking out inspiration and ideas. I spend time with each of my clients gathering what visuals resonate with them through Pinterest. Every client comes to me with inspiration from there or other online sources, and that is a great thing! The problem is not the use of Pinterest, it is assuming a Pinterest image can simply be copied into your space. Behind every beautiful image are hundreds of design decisions that often go unseen. 

Pinterest isn’t always reality

Nowadays on Pinterest and online, we are seeing more and more AI-generated images, which is a great conceptual tool, but these images do not consider the bigger picture decisions and constructional strategies it takes to bring these visions to life. Oftentimes these images are highly edited, and this can create a misconception from what the reality of the concept may look like in real life. Another thing to consider is that in photography, angles and lighting can make spaces appear larger, and these design concepts appear grander. We need to consider the proportion and scale when deciding on the design for each individual space. Sometimes it may not be possible to create all the elements you have found on Pinterest in your space and relying heavily on these visuals can skew your vision. 

Every Space is Different

There are an array of configurations we must consider when designing a space. Whether we are building a custom new build or working with the bones of a current structure, there are always considerations. All of these things affect the proportion and layout; ceiling height, window placement, dimensions, existing architecture, and natural light. Being able to look at all the details of a space and consider them in the entirety of the design is a crucial part of our work. The same fireplace, feature wall or kitchen may look incredible in the space we are working with in one home or business, but in another it may seem completely out of place. This is where custom scaling and proportion matter. 

The Hidden Construction Behind Pinterest

Often when we are looking at these images we are looking at the visuals, the floating shelves, the curved archways, hidden doors, fluted walls, LED lighting. As a designer, I am considering the space beyond the outcome as well. We are considering how these items can be constructed, and if these items will fit with the entire vision of the space. 

We are asking ourselves, “What will it take to turn these ideas into a finished product that accomplishes both the functional and aesthetic goals you are looking to have and experience?” Those ideas then need to be translated into technical drawings that contractors and trades can actually build from. Without those drawings, everyone is left interpreting a Pinterest image differently, which can lead to confusion, costly mistakes, and a finished product that doesn’t match the vision. It is important to take into account the purpose and function of every inch, and how it will look when it all comes together. 

Pinterest doesn’t tell you what goes into the investment

Pinterest doesn’t break down for you what the financial investment will be for this beautiful image. You don’t know what you don’t know, and it is common and understandable that you may not have a concept of what these things cost. A single image may include custom millwork, natural stone, specialty finishes, designer lighting, custom upholstery, high-end furnishings, and countless hours of skilled craftsmanship. Unless you’ve been through a renovation before, it’s difficult to know what those elements cost or which ones have the biggest impact on the investment. Part of my job is helping clients understand those layers. Sometimes a design can be achieved for less than expected by making thoughtful substitutions, and other times there are elements that genuinely require a larger investment. The important thing is knowing where to invest, where to save, and how those decisions affect the final outcome.

Mixing Too Many Pinterest Images Together

Searching through Pinterest can be overwhelming; sometimes you may have many different styles and pieces that you like. Individually they are stunning, but together they may not tell a cohesive story. It is important to be able to pull together what about these images you like, and why. Going through and uncovering what it is you like about these different spaces can distinguish the elements that are really standing out to you, and what the experience you are truly looking to create is. There is strategy to design, design isn’t just about choosing beautiful things, it’s about understanding how colours, materials, shapes, scale, texture, and function work together to create a cohesive experience.

Good design isn’t just about how a room looks, it’s about how you experience it.

We all want the spaces we live, work, and spend time in to be aesthetically pleasing, and that’s a huge part of great design. But another important consideration is how the space will be used and who will be using it. A family with three young children will have very different needs and priorities than a retired couple, and in turn, different materials, layouts, and design features will better suit those lifestyles. The same applies to commercial spaces. A boutique fitness studio and a wellness spa may both be beautifully designed, but they require completely different layouts, functionality, and overall experiences. Pinterest can’t take your lifestyle, routines, or the way you use a space into account, and that’s where thoughtful, personalized design comes in.

So… Should You Stop Using Pinterest?

Absolutely not. 

In fact, I urge you to have fun with it, find all the ideas that light you up. Make boards, categorize those boards into what you like about each of these spaces. Is it the colours, the textures, the shapes, the lighting, the overall feel? As a designer, your Pinterest will help me understand what you are drawn to and why, and allow me to produce a design that is a product of all the things you like.

The goal is not to copy what we see on Pinterest exactly, but we can use it as a tool to put together the things you are drawn to and create a unique concept by using pieces and ideas as inspiration.

The question isn’t whether you should use Pinterest. It’s this: do you want a Pinterest space, or do you want a space that’s uniquely yours?