In the digital age, it's tempting to turn to social media and AI for home decor inspiration. But according to renowned interior designer Vern Yip, the best way to create a truly personal living space is to get offline and embrace a more tactile, hands-on approach.
What this really means is ditching the endless scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, and instead focusing on physical samples like paint chips, fabric swatches, and flooring samples. As Yip explains, "What you're seeing on your screen might be an OK starting point, but nothing beats physical samples."
Social Media Decor Hacks Often Fall Flat
Yip, who has designed on TLC's Trading Spaces and hosts the interior design show Home Reimagined, cautions that many online decor trends "might be passable in a photograph or social media post," but fall short in real life.
For example, peel-and-stick flooring or wall panels may look sleek and modern on Instagram, but they "are never going to feel like wood, marble, porcelain or whatever would have been your first choice," says Yip. The bigger picture here is that temporary solutions that prioritize aesthetics over quality and tactility often lead to having to redecorate sooner rather than later.
Discover Unique Finds in the Real World
Instead, Yip encourages readers to find inspiration by exploring the physical world around them. As KPBS reports, Yip says you never know what unique, high-quality treasures you might uncover at yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets - pieces that are far more interesting than mass-produced items from big box stores.
And as GBH notes, taking a hands-on, tactile approach can also help you build a room that not only looks good, but feels good too. After all, the true mark of a well-designed space is one that engages all the senses.
The bottom line? If you want to create a home that's truly reflective of your personal style and vision, it's time to put down the phone, step away from the screen, and reconnect with the physical world around you. As Yip's insights reveal, that's where the magic really happens.