One of the most asked questions by many of our clients during the consultation phase is “Can you recommend any sites for ideas?” or “I want to see more examples”.
Though we do a great job showcasing our projects as examples in our project gallery, providing prospects customers with additional resources helps us better understand their personality, style, and color choices. The web is filled with resources for various remodeling projects and can be overwhelming, we put a list of sites we recommend along with a review to better help you narrow your search for remodeling ideas.
Houzz
Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device.
From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts, and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information, and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality.
Features
- Photo and ideas are created by the user community, contractors, and industry professionals
- Large format Photos
- Social Network Community/Advice
- Find a Pro Locator
- Contractor Profiles/Reviews
- User Account Required/Free for Ideabooks
- Products Online Store
Pinterest is by far the largest archive of digital scrapbooking, however, it’s not just for the Remodeling, Construction, or Home Design industry, and can be daunting to find ideas specific to your project.
However, since many folks already have Pinterest this may be a good option to get ideas for all types of remodeling and design projects. Like Houzz, it offers the ability to save photos and Instructables to multiple boards, so you can organize by project or room.
Features
- The user community provides the high-resolution photos
- Account required before you can view boards
- User Boards to pin photos User Accounts – Free
- High-Resolution Photos
Instagram is a great place to browse high-end interior design. However, it’s difficult to save ideas, since you can’t put them in specific folders (they all end up in the same save/like a folder).
You do have the option to subscribe to accounts for specific designers, brands, or categories (@kitchensofinsta is a favorite). So this is a great option for browsing, but not really for deep dives.
Features
- Photos from homeowners and professionals
- Anyone can browse, account required to post or save
- Social Network Community
- An extremely basic sorting system
Hometalk
Hometalk is a “home and garden” social network for DIY enthusiasts. Users and professionals use Hometalk to share their knowledge and photos. Ask questions for help or advice and get answers from the members of Hometalk community. Get Inspired through hundreds of thousands of photos and inspiring ideas posted by members and professionals.
Features
- Photos and Ideas are submitted by Users, Contractors, and Professionals
- Find a Pro Locator/Reviews
- Social Network Community/Ask a Question
- Contractor Profiles
BuildZoom
BuildZoom is a resource that helps people make smarter decisions about their most valued possession: their home. They provide you with information about general contractors in your area that you can’t find anywhere else. That way, you can be sure you are making the best decision possible when it comes to hiring people to work on your home.
Additional features include “Ask an Expert” and a scoring system for Contractors and Professionals.
Features
- Photos Archive is a catalog of projects submitted by contractors and industry professionals
- Find a Contractor
- Contractor Profiles/Reviews
- Project Estimate on Contractor Project Showcase
- Ask An Expert
- Photo Gallery Archive
Porch
Porch has the main focus of connecting professionals, contractors, and designers with homeowners in need of home improvements.
Though Porch is a newcomer to the Remodeling / Construction social networking it provides resources directly to homeowners through various supplier channels like Lowes and Realty Companies. Project photos are provided by contractors and professionals thus you can see actual projects, costs, and estimates in your local area.
Features
- Photos Archive is a catalog of projects submitted by contractors and industry professionals
- User Scrape Books – User account required – Free
- Find a Contractor
- Contractor Profiles/Reviews
- Project costs provided on Contractor completed Projects
- Neighborhood Project View
- Get Advice
- Photo Gallery Archive
DecorPad
DecorPad is a source for decorating, renovating, and home building! A social community of designers and professionals. Very large gallery or high-quality remodeling projects both interior and exterior.
Features
- The user community provides the high-resolution photos
- User Galleries – User account required – Free
- Designer and Professional Profiles
- Discussion Forums
- Idea Sets with User Accounts
- High-Resolution Photos
By no means is the above collection the only online resources for remodeling and design ideas these are the ones we recommend to our prospective clients. If we have missed your favorite remodeling or design resource please feel free to comment so we may review it in the future.
