App-roved: The Best Apps for Interiors Inspiration
Our homes are precious. We want them to look their best and reflect our personality, but this isn't always easy. Whether you're trying to work fitted wardrobes into an existing bedroom design, or are planning to renovate your entire home, visualising the finished product can prove challenging. This is whymany homeowners are turning to technology: apps that can lend an inspirational helping hand.
Pinterest
The best known of these is Pinterest. Using the Pinterest App you can create a nifty mood board that's the perfect way to store your interiors inspiration. With the ability to create multiple 'Boards', you can plan everything from a whole renovation to a single room-redesign. From colour schemes and themes to appliances and furniture, Pinterest helps you envisage how everything fits together.
It is also one of the easiest apps to use. Once you have signed up, simply browse the categories and, when you find an image you want to re-pin, click the 'Pin It' button in the top left of the picture. You can even add a Pinterest button to your browser, for when you come across something elsewhere on the net that you just have to have.
Houzz
The Houzz App is the whole package, acting as both mood board and enabler. Similarly to Pinterest's 'Boards', you can curate 'Ideabooks' full of gorgeous interiors and must-have products. In addition, you can read informative articles, find a professional to help with your redesign and even purchase the homewares that steal your heart. On account of its ease of use and clean design, Houzz is an essential in any homeowner's app arsenal. This app is great for inspiration for all elements of your home, whether its your lounge, the kitchen, a bedroom, a wardrobe or a bathroom. Its also worth checking out the top 5 trends for 2016 to give you an idea about what's going to be hot next year.
myPantone
Ever spotted something in the shade of green that would work perfectly in your own home, only to search for a paint match in vain? Take a look at myPantone : a clever little app that could solve your colour woes. Simply snap a picture of your dream colour, open it in the app and myPantone will provide you with a selection of matches. You can even generate harmonious colour combinations to create a room palette.
ColourSchemer
If you are struggling to visualise your dream colour scheme, ColourSchemer is an ideal source of inspiration. This interactive colour wheel can help you create a whole variety of schemes, from chic and minimal to bright and daring. Choose a colour and receive shortcuts to the most complementary schemes, drag and drop to experiment with colour combinations or simply browse the predefined options. ColourSchemer even incorporates colour blindness simulation – a feature that allows you to see what your colour schemes will look like to users with colour deficient vision.
Has one of these apps caught your eye? Perhaps you've used one before? If you have a recommendation to share, please tell us below.
