The Dutch are known for the 'look, look, don't buy' principle. Especially abroad I sometimes got that thrown at me, haha. I don't care and yes, I like to look and search a lot first, and then make my choice. Certainly in the field of interior inspiration I don't seem to get saturated. And I'm not alone in that, I know that too 😉 . Veneta conducted research into the way in which the Dutch get their inspiration, and I'm curious if you also deal with it that way or if you have another way to get inspiration for your interior. Will you let me know?
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Before the Dutch spend their money on interior design, they are first inspired through various channels. There are numerous inspiration channels that are brimming with the latest interior trends and tips. My most favorite channel is Pinterest. I spend some time there every day. If it's not for myself to get inspiration, then it is to get inspiration for you and to write about it, hahaha. This also applies to the Dutch in general, although it is 'disappointing' how many people are inspired by Pinterest. I really thought there were more.
No less than 96% of the Dutch are active on social media, spread over various platforms. Social media is also popular for gaining inspiration and interiors are an important part of that. 22% of survey respondents say they get inspiration from Pinterest. Gaining living room inspiration is especially popular among Pinterest users.
When I look at the times I've searched Pinterest for inspiration, I can't count them on one hand. And not on two . For example, I searched for a new sofa for the dining table, cheap curtains in our interior and a cool new TV furniture. Finally, I decided that we are not going to do anything with it.
Newcom's national social media survey shows that 734,000 Dutch people are active on Pinterest every day. The number of Dutch people who gain inspiration from Instagram continues to grow, but is not that large yet. 10% of the respondents are inspired by Instagram.
A large part of the Dutch still get inspiration through the traditional way. For example, many magazines are still read and I understand that. There is nothing better than opening a delicious magazine on the couch and swooning at your leisure with a cup of tea at all the beautiful interiors and the inspiration that is given here. That's still more fun than visiting an interior blog on the iPad, right?
They are often full of atmospheric photos that you can use as a source of inspiration and of course you can immediately see where you can find the products, very handy. For example, who wouldn't be happy with the VTWonen or the Eigen Huis &Interieur? I do! 17% of the respondents are therefore inspired by magazines. TV programs are also used as a source of inspiration. Housing programs such as RTL Woonmagazine or Eigen Huis en Tuin are great for discovering the latest living trends. Interior shopping in the Netherlands can have fun with this and 15% of the participants of this survey do so. Enjoy some me-time in front of the TV with a cup of coffee.
Because of these programs I myself became 'infected' with the wooden blind for the living room and kitchen window. You can now see it in many places and I still think it is very beautiful. However, we have not opted for it in our new home. With 3 cats in the house, blinds are simply less suitable I think. Well, at least with our cats, because they crawl in between them all the time!
Often when one visits friends, family, acquaintances or neighbours, the interior is admired. The window decoration and furniture are looked at. Inspiration pictures come to life here and it gives a realistic picture of what the interior looks like in reality. 15% of the respondents are only too happy to be inspired by 'peeping at the neighbours'. I also regularly notice that our visitors see something in us that they subsequently become interested in. In fact, last week we even had total strangers at the door. They rang the doorbell to ask where our front door came from, they thought it was so beautiful, haha. Nice compliment right?
Another source of inspiration for many is a visit to a physical home furnishings store. Strolling around a residential boulevard and being inspired by the latest trends and cool combinations in daring color compositions is the preference of 18% of the respondents. The physical stores may have been a little less popular in recent months, but that is starting to get back on track. Lotte, for example, really wanted to go to a home furnishing boulevard for her birthday to look for a blackout blind for her room, which we will redecorate during the holidays. We have been living in our new house for a year now, but we don't have anything hanging in front of the windows in the bedrooms. And scouring a residential boulevard with my daughter for interior inspiration is also wonderful, I must tell you.
In what way do you prefer to get inspiration for your interior?
