The Arts & Crafts Movement was proceeded by the Design Reform Movement which had similar design aims. Morris's achievement was to establish the new design ideas in the general public, or at least the wealthy middle-class. His aim of producing designs for the poor was never achieved but he continued to be more and more motivated to create a socialist society.

The design approach created by Morris became the Arts & Crafts Movement during the 1860s and it later became internationally influential. Arts & Crafts in turn inspired similar movements around the world and his ideas have inspired designers up to the present day.