The first logical step to building a new home is browsing the net for design and function ideas. The web is a large place to start so we thought we’d guide you to the 6 best websites for house ideas which will put you on the right track from the get-go.
As an Architectural firm we can’t stress enough the need to invest hours of research into looking at new home ideas and saving them in a scrapbook or file with notes about what in the picture you like. Firstly, just go for bulk ideas, from multiple places. Then rule of thumb – don’t go to your architect or designer and drown them with hundreds of photos – select the top 20 or 30 that you’re clearly in love with and write a short note about the picture that explains what you love about it.
But back to our topic – what’s the 6 best websites for house ideas?
1. Archipro.co.nz
Clearly #1, especially if you’re building in New Zealand. Archipro is where Architects, Architectural Designers, Interior Designers & Manufacturers come to showcase their latest projects and products. You’ll find hundreds of projects on Archipro with thousands of photos, many with the products in the photos having been tagged by the manufacturer to help you know exactly what product was used in the picture you’re viewing. The main benefit of this site is that it’s entirely New Zealand projects, meaning everything you look at is available in the country.
2. Houzz.co.nz
Houzz is quite possibly the biggest house idea website worldwide, and has millions of images. The search function is brilliant but there’s one downside – it’s very un-New Zealand. Full of projects from Europe and America there’s an enormous amount of photos you’ll find yourself looking through that you don’t like, as its not our down under style. Also bear in mind not all materials, furniture and finishing’s are available in New Zealand.
3. Pinterest.com
A great website once you’ve found the style of home you love, Pinterest has an unending supply of similar images to the ones you’ve been viewing. For example, if you know you want a ‘black barn’ styled home you’ll be swimming with ideas after 30 minutes on Pinterest. As with Houzz it’s a worldwide site so remember that not all the products you see are able to be purchased and used in NZ.
4. Architects Websites
After browsing the above three sites you’ll quickly find Architects and designers who have a certain style you appreciate. Write a list of these architects as you’re browsing then Google their company name, find their website and head to their ‘projects’ or ‘our work’ page. Many have a certain style which they focus on. You’re more than welcome to take pictures from an Architects project and show them to your designer – that’s totally ok.
5. Real Estate Websites
These can be great sources of inspiration. Websites like www.luxuryrealestate.co.nz and www.realestate.co.nz can be very interesting, especially if you sort the properties by highest price. You may even find homes you love that are holding open homes on the weekend you can visit, getting the vibe and feel for a home of a certain style.
6. Issuu.com
Issuu is an online platform where magazines, publications and catalogs are shared for you to flick through at your leisure. The Home & Garden category has a multitude of resources full of visual inspiration and articles on designing different spaces in your new home.
There we have it, the 6 best websites for house ideas.
Now lets be sure to note, there’s a hundred and one other places you can look for good house ideas, but you don’t want to be rushing around the web without purpose, start with these six and be sure to get in touch with the Arcline Team once your scrapbook is filling up with ideas.