How the internet has taken over the interior design industry

*Advertorial Feature

Time was that interior design was the preserve of the supremely wealthy. The average person could access only elements of it if they were prepared to pay the high price of a glossy magazine, but the products featured inside were expensive and styled in such a way that they wouldn’t fit with a ‘normal’ home.

Nowadays, so many more people have an interest in interior design with home-makers able to dress their palaces in stylish and unique ways more easily than ever before. Creating a look that’s just right for you can take as much or as little effort as you desire, and the budget can be tailored to fit too. How has it all become possible? It’s largely thanks to the internet and the advent of websites such as the Online Door Store purveying all manner of doors from high end to affordable and durable ones. And this isn’t the only site – you can find similar ones for all your house products from sofas, to curtains, mirrors to tables.

We look at just how it has changed the face of the interior design industry below…

Aspirational living

Social media has a lot to answer but one thing it can actually take credit for is our ability to look into people’s lives and assess their style. We can see what we like and dislike and consider the type of home we want to create for ourselves. Apps such as Instagram and Pinterest allow you to scroll through beautiful spaces created not only by professionals, but hobbyists too, whose tastes and influence should not be overlooked. Spend some time looking for the things you like, and you’ll be able to create an image in your mind and truly consider what will work in your house.

Try before you buy

The internet is so sophisticated these days that certain websites allow you to take a photo of your room and see a piece of furniture or some wallpaper in situ before you go ahead and spend a lot of money. This gives you more peace of mind that you aren’t making the wrong choice when spending what could run into the thousands on your furniture. You can also use virtual reality to design your own space without having to buy a single item, placing different items in and moving them about to see what works – it’s an incredible way to style your rooms.

Accessibility

Many of the most chic and desirable items were either difficult to find or extremely expensive but not the internet has turned the marketplace glocal (global-local), that’s no longer the case. If you do happen to see an item you love, regardless of where, you will no doubt be able to find it. If it turns out your budget won’t even come close to it, there is a strong possibility you’ll find something very similar which you can afford.

The ability to sit and trawl websites to find your perfect products late at night also increases the affordability and let’s not forget that online retailers often have reduced overheads so offer items at great value. Shopping for more niche products such as doors would have historically taken days as you visited all the different warehouses in the region but with the advent of sites such as the Online Door Store, you can find fantastic quality products at prices you can afford from the comfort of your own sofa.

When it comes to interior design, don’t underestimate the power of the internet. It’s an amazing resource that when used to your advantage can yield the results your inner style icon craves!