It started with a Pinterest rabbit hole.
She was up late again, pinning shiplap walls, marble islands, arched doorways, and navy blue cabinets. It was all beautiful… but also overwhelming. “Do I love farmhouse style? Or is this a more coastal cottage? Or maybe transitional?”
At LaFollette Custom Homes, we talk with individuals every day who want their homes to reflect who they are – not just follow trends. The good news? You don’t need a design degree to define your style. You’re more than capable of doing it with a little guidance and a good mood board. Here’s how to turn inspiration into a clear, confident design direction for your custom home:
Start with a Mood Board (Digital or Physical)
What custom home features inspire you? What unique styles feel like a reflection of your taste? Gather images of rooms, colors, textures, and finishes you see that inspire you into one central location, such as Pinterest or Canva, and see what themes emerge. You can also print photos and collect fabric samples, paint chips, or magazine clippings for a tactile mood board.
Look for Visual Patterns
What patterns keep showing up? Did neutrals and warm tones catch your eye, or are you inspired by bold contrasts? Do you lean toward wood, metal, stone, or tile, or perhaps you are interested in mixing materials tastefully? Do you feel called to arched openings or clean edges? These common threads help reveal the foundation of your style.
Identify Your Lifestyle Priorities
Your aesthetic preferences should go hand in hand with how you plan to live in your future custom home. If you want to invoke a sense of calm comfort, it may make sense to plan for a minimalistic style. Warm, layered rooms can feel cozy and lived in. If you have kids and pets, your top priority may be finding materials that are durable. Let your lifestyle, not just your aesthetic, guide your choices.
Give Your Style a Name
It’s okay if you don’t fit into the box of a single design label. You chose the custom route for a reason! However, giving your style a “name” can help you make design decisions and communicate your vision clearly to your builder and designer. Here are a few examples:
- Modern Farmhouse with a Coastal Twist
- Transitional with a Touch of Industrial
- Classic Foundation, Trendy Accents
Refine and Simplify
Once you’ve gathered your inspiration, edit it down to the 10 to 15 most defining images to create a final mood board that captures the essence of your style. This will serve as your “design compass” as you make selections.
What We Do at LaFollette Custom Homes
At LaFollette Custom Homes, we help you bring your custom home vision to life. During our design phase, we help you:
- Clarify your inspiration and lifestyle needs.
- Select materials and finishes that complement your style and budget.
- Avoid design fatigue by narrowing choices before you’re overwhelmed.
Your Custom Home: From Mood Board to Reality
Your custom home should feel like you. Whether you lean modern, rustic, elegant, or eclectic, your design style is already in you. At LaFollette Custom Homes, we help turn your vision into a cohesive, confident design plan you’ll love to live in. Let’s start with your ideas, your style, and your story.