How I Organize Home Design Ideas in One Binder

You see the Pinterest Pin or inspiration photo and it’s exactly what you have imagined, but how do you collect it in one place until you are ready to make changes? Your Homework Binder! This is how I organize home design ideas in one binder!

What is a Home Design Binder

I accidentally created my design binder years ago when I found inspiration and needed a place to keep it. This was before screenshots were everything. I don’t want to copy anyone else, but inspiration can go a long way.

Regardless, if you saw the perfect furniture arrangement on Pinterest and go to buy furniture, but can’t recall where that inspiration photo is, you will wish you had a home design binder.

The keeper of the design information

A home design binder, or what I call a Homework Book (get it?? Home…Work…), is a collection of inspirational photos, paint samples, and thoughts of my home and spaces. Basically, it’s one place to collect ideas for when I am ready to decorate.

Once I have decorated, I log future projects to complete, the paint colors used, and where I purchased items. This seems tedious, but you will thank yourself later! Journaling when this is fresh on your mind goes a long way.

Home Design Binder Supplies

Most of these supplies you will have on hand. I use a large 3″ binder, but start with a smaller binder and as you collect and upgrade the binder size over time.

Here is what I used to create my Homework book:

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Binder
Dividers or Divider Tabs
Label Maker- for tabs on dividers
3-hole punch
The RHB Homework printables
Pens & Highlighters
Printer & Paper
Coffee & a great home improvement show like Fixer Upper.

What Goes Inside My Home Design Binder

I collect whatever inspires me over time, so there’s not much rhyme or reason to the binder except my organization system. Mostly, I need to reference one room at a time, so those are divided out.

Home Binder Sections:

Vision, Goals, Reflection
Colors & Finishes
Living Room
Kitchen & Dining
Bedrooms
Kid’s Spaces
Office or bonus room
Bathrooms
Laundry & Entry
Outside & Patio
Design Guide
Holidays

I also keep a project and shopping list inside the front cover.

When decorating I following a 5-step system (check that out here), so once I start a room, I try to complete the vision and then do as much as the budget allows before moving to the next room. Using the Homework book allows me to jump in where I left off.

The Homework Book that everyone is talking about is a free printable I send directly to you! This is a great way to start your homework book!

Grab your FREE homework book here!

The Homework Book of my Dreams (Literally)

I am so glad I started my Homework book several years ago and reference it often! When a room needs touch up paint, I have the color! If a bonus comes in, I already know the finishes or house project I want to complete.

Decorating is about doing more with less and having an organized system helps you do just that!

Until Next Time,