What Do Interior Designers Really See When They Enter Your Home?
I have been working in the interior design industry for a little over a decade, and I have been blessed to do what I love.
But sometimes when I tell people what I do for a living, I get a specific reaction: “Oh! I never want you to see my house! It’s a mess. There is so much I want to do. I’d be so embarrassed!”
They think because I do interior design work, I’ll make a value judgment about the state of their home or their level of taste. But trust me, I never see homes from that point of view.
I don’t scrutinize with “designer-ly biases”. Instead, I learn about the people living in the home and help them make decisions to transform their space into a place that weaves their story throughout. The result is a level of personalization that feels creative and fresh, but layered with an ease of lived-in familiarity.
Why? Because we are all attached to the spaces and places we spend most of our time in, where we connect with loved ones, and where the milestones of our lives play out (big and small).
Our home is the most important place we occupy throughout our lives.
Yes, my background does allow me to take careful note of the conditions of a home. Through my 10+ years of working with families on residential projects both big and small, I certainly know how to analyze interior spaces, and I notice things that non-designers may not.
But these skills and my experience are not about being judgmental. I can assure you my own home is far from perfect! There are things I would love to change or update as my own story unfolds. We are not static, and neither are our homes. We grow and change, and so it’s expected that our homes should evolve along with us.
As an interior designer, I consider myself, first and foremost, a problem-solver. I like to ask questions, figure out what’s not working (and why), evaluate, and come up with solutions to my clients’ problems. It is enormously satisfying for me to do this.
So, when I go into or visit someone’s home for the first time, here are the things I do notice:
I notice the very best qualities of a space — the bones — and how they can be renewed.
Maybe it's a particular decorative or architectural feature. Maybe it’s the quality of natural light coming in, or perhaps interesting sightlines to the outdoors or a particular point of emphasis.
In other words, I immediately see the best features a space has to offer, and the potential to make them even better. My brain automatically envisions ways to enhance the space for the people who live there. It could be as simple as a fresh coat of paint in the perfect hue to bring a room to life. Other times, a bigger change might be the solution to a not-quite-right space. Adding carefully curated new furnishings that complement beloved pieces could help a room feel more comfortable and complete. Or, an awkwardly separated kitchen and dining area might benefit from a wall being removed to make room for a spacious island that improves flow, increases functionality, and creates a better environment for entertaining friends and family.
As a designer, I can visualize what your home will look like in its perfectly lived-in state. When I see your home, I see potential, beauty, and opportunity.
I can see and feel whether the space is being used to its best ability.
The wheels in my head instinctively start turning as I consider whether more functionality could be achieved if certain changes were made to furniture layouts or room usage.
This also encompasses evaluating traffic flow and circulation. Sometimes furniture arrangements create awkward pathways. Other times, a different placement of pieces could enhance a feeling of spaciousness and openness. Often, small changes can make huge transformations: greatly enhancing functionality and movement through a space, and optimizing sightlines and vantage points.
I also immediately consider the functionality of spaces and the family’s evolving needs.
Because I specialize in forever homes, it’s important to me, and my clients, that we consider how spaces can be adjusted to ensure they can live there comfortably for as long as possible.
While young families might be facing the need for more usable space as their family size grows, homeowners further along in their life’s journey are more focused on considering the implications of empty-nesting and incorporating wellness features for long-term accessibility. It is always important to me to accommodate the stage of life a family is currently in, and to look ahead to how the home will stay comfortable and functional into the future.
I am sensitive to a misalignment of space with the homeowner’s needs and interests.
Through observation and getting to know my clients and their interests, I can use what I learn to make recommendations on living more purposefully in the home.
If I discover a homeowner loves cooking and baking, but has a small, cramped kitchen, I know there’s a need for a more open and functional space. If I notice a large collection of instruments and stacks of records, I know a music room would be beloved and cherished. If there’s a desk space carved out on the kitchen island for someone who works from home full-time, I know a quiet, focused office space would improve their everyday living.
So, you see, I will never judge you or your home.
But I will see possibilities. I will notice the beauty that is already there, and the opportunities to make it shine even brighter. I will think about how small changes may result in big transformations, how we can make each space more useful and functional, and add more ease and joy to your daily living.
So, never be reluctant to have an interior designer visit or evaluate your home. A fresh set of eyes and ideas can transform and elevate your day-to-day life.
