Read: 8 min.
Pinterest is the leading tool used to translate what clients visually want without having to explain it with construction jargon. It’s what I use 99.9% of the time with my clients. 

At the start of all renovation and new home design projects, I ask my clients to create a Pinterest inspiration board. This is so I can get a sense of their style and ensure my vision aligns with their taste. 

Instead of “I’m looking for a vaulted bedroom with a gabled dormer and exposed collar ties”, you show this. 

But there’s more to just pinning a handful of pictures. And what if you only like certain aspects of the picture? Your designer doesn’t know that. 

Here are some tips and trick to optimize your design inspiration.

If you haven’t already, create an account. Go to https://www.pinterest.com. Enter your email and a new password, then click Create Account. After choosing your language and location, add your name. Next add a profile photo. Dimensions should be 165 x 165 pixels. Click Done to save.

1. Follow the Right People.
First things first, follow us @pottsdesignco. With thousands of pins in 35+ visible boards and over 30,000 monthly views, we can help you out.

Then, take a look at who I follow; follow them and others that you may know of. Think home design magazines (print and online), home design shows, leading bloggers in the industry, and even friends and family.

2. Create a Pinterest Board.
From you profile, click the plus sign over Create a Board. Title your board something that clearly defines you for your Designer, especially if your account name is unrecognizable. Some example are “Your Name's Home Design Project” or “Street Name | Home Inspiration Board”. If you ever need to make changes, click the pencil icon.

You’ll want to create this as a secret board, meaning it’s not viewable to the public (unless you don’t care and/or would like the public to be able to see your board, it’s up to you!). Check the box next to “Visibility” to hide it from the public.

Click Create. Your new board will show up underneath your public boards in an area only you can see.

Hot Tip: Choose your cover photo as your favourite photo. 

3. Create Sections in your Board.
If you’ve already pinned multiple pins to your board without creating sections, click Organize to select pins for your sections, and then click Move to move to to your section. Make it easy for you and your design team to focus on specific rooms while being able to understand your entire project.

It’s also easy to find your picture in minutes if you’re having a meeting with your team at any stage of the design or build. List specific room but try to limit it to 10 max. Some examples are:

• master bedroom

• ensuite

• walk-in closet

• bathroom(s)

• additional bedrooms

• mudroom

• laundry room

• living/family room

• exterior

• kitchen

• dining room/nook

• rec. room

Here’s an example of my board:

4. Pin 4-8 pictures max. in each section.

Let the pinning begin! Pin as many pictures as you like. Over time you will find that you’ve double up on some pictures. There’s a reason you’re posting that one twice. Then, determine your favourite and eliminate until you have 4-8 in each section.

Hot Tip: Use the Pinterest Lens. Available on Android and Apple devices, Pinterest Lens is a camera tool that lets users focus on a whole picture or just a part of the picture, and find related pictures. It’s basically Shazam, but for images, underpinned by image recognition and machine learning tech.

You may find that you don’t like everything about a pin. Maybe you just like the window configuration and style, or the vaulted ceiling feature of a living room picture. In your pin, write what you like about it in the description. This specific information will help your designer incorporate your favourite design elements into your own project where appropriate.

5. Share your board with your team.
To share your new board with your Designer, click on the + icon at the top. Enter your Designer’s email address (if that’s PDCo., enter: pottsdesignco@gmail.com) and click the grey “Invite” button. Pinterest will send an email with a link to your designer to view your secret board.

When collecting your inspiration, think less about colours and furnishings, and think more about functionality and flow (how would you use the space?), shape and features (how would you want to see the space?), and overall aesthetics (how would you want to feel in the space?).

Search for phrases that match your style and specific space. For example, search “modern home exteriors” or “modern kitchen”. But if you find you’re coming up with a wide variety of what people think modern is, add an additional style of home that reflects your taste. So don’t just search “modern home exteriors”, search “modern farmhouse home exterior” or “modern traditional exterior house”.

Here are more search term ideas for things to pin when you’re creating a home inspiration board for your designer:

• Modern

• Traditional

• Contemporary

• Farmhouse

• Tudor

• Rustic

• Mediterranean

• Colonial

• Country

• West-Coast

• Craftsman

• Tiny/Small

While you can easily get stuck down a Pinterest rabbit-hole, just spending a few hours here and there, before your project begins, can make all the difference. You’ll be amazed at how much time and energy you save for both you and your design team (and build team!) by creating a Pinterest inspiration board.

Now go pin to your heart’s content! And of course, for endless inspiration of all styles of homes, follow us @pottsdesignco.

Ready to get started on your next renovation or new home design project? Schedule a free consultation with me!