You want to make lasting decisions that will bring long-term enjoyment for your home, yet pinpointing exactly what isn’t working and then knowing how to fix it can be very challenging. Designing a home is much like assembling a thousand-piece puzzle because it takes time to understand how each piece fits together.
Discovering what’s right for a home is never a linear process. Figuring out every material, finish, shape, and color that will harmoniously play off of one another is actually the easy part. Factoring in everyone’s preferences and the family’s budget and lifestyle can turn an exciting journey into a tedious experience. Thoughtful design is not just about selecting finishes, furnishings, and accessories; it’s about understanding how a family lives, functions, and wants to feel in their home, and these are the first things designers see when they enter your home.
During a consultation, I carefully observe the conditions of a home and begin to see possibilities. I notice the quiet clues that explain why a space feels the way it does and how it could work better. By asking intentional questions and listening closely to my clients, I’m able to identify what isn’t serving them well and begin developing solutions that address those challenges in a meaningful way.
When I step into a client’s home for the first time, there are four things I notice almost immediately, and it has nothing to do with how clean or organized a home is. I’m actually far more interested in the home’s architectural strengths, how the space is currently functions, how it supports the family now and in the future, and how the home aligns with the client’s personal style.
Identifying what exists before making changes
As I arrive for a consultation, I begin noticing the best qualities of the home, the architectural features that give a home its character. Walking through the interior allows me to see natural focal points, interesting ceilings, or sightlines that connect the interior to the outdoors. The first goal is to identify what can be enhanced that’s already there and allow those features to guide the design.
In every home there’s also architectural elements that present challenges. Maybe it’s a support beam running through the center of a room, an off-centered fireplace, or walls that interrupt flow and limit how a space functions. In some cases, I’m looking for thoughtful reconfiguration that can dramatically improve flow, function, and comfort.
As a designer, I begin by visualizing a home in its most optimal state. That vision sets the direction, but analyzing the architecture is only the starting point. Function, lifestyle, and personal aesthetic are equally important layers that must be considered early in the process.
Creating function through layout and flow
I can often tell whether a space is functioning well simply by looking at it. More often than not, furniture is either too large or too small for the room or key finishing elements are missing. These details are often overlooked by homeowners simply because they don’t know how important they are. I immediately begin thinking about how small changes, such as adjusting furniture placement or introducing the right supporting pieces, could make the space feel more complete and easier to use.
Spacing also plays a significant role in how a room functions. When circulation paths feel tight around a dining table or sofa, the space can feel cramped and uncomfortable. Even subtle adjustments can dramatically improve how a room feels and how people move through it.
Lighting is another critical factor. While ambient lighting is necessary for everyday use, it shouldn’t be the only source. A thoughtful lighting plan includes task lighting for specific activities and accent lighting to highlight architectural features or create atmosphere. This layered approach has a powerful impact on both function and mood.
Creating spaces that evolve with your family
I also consider how a home supports the needs of a family today and how those needs will change over time. A mudroom designed for a young family with small children, for example, will eventually need to accommodate adult-sized shoes, coats, and backpacks. Without planning for those transitions, a space can quickly outgrow its usefulness.
Good design anticipates change rather than focusing solely on today’s lifestyle. Young families need flexibility and durability. Teenagers require privacy and spaces that support their interests. Empty nesters often focus on creating welcoming spaces for returning children and guests while also considering comfort, accessibility, and aging in place.
Designing with both the present and future in mind doesn’t mean planning decades ahead, it simply means making thoughtful decisions that support longevity and protect the investment homeowners are making in their space.
Creating harmony between the home and the homeowner
Every home has an architectural language, and every client brings a personal aesthetic. In most cases, the two work together beautifully. Occasionally, however, a client’s style may be in direct opposition to the architecture of the home, creating tension between the two.
When this happens, the goal is not to choose one over the other, but to find balance. Abandoning a home’s architecture in favor of a particular aesthetic rarely results in harmony. Instead, thoughtful material choices, scale, and detailing can bridge the gap and create a cohesive, intentional result.
This disconnect often appears between the exterior and interior of a home. For example, a traditional exterior paired with an ultra-modern interior can feel jarring because the home’s architectural story isn’t aligned. The exterior and interior should relate to one another, creating a sense of continuity and ease.
In rare cases where a client’s aesthetic is completely incompatible with the home’s architecture, it may be better to find a home that aligns one’s style rather than forcing a renovation that ignores the existing structure.
What a designer sees when they first enter your home and the initial insights they gather during a consultation can be a valuable springboard to knowing which direction to take your design. When elements are thoughtfully considered together, a home stops feeling frustrating and starts feeling aligned, intentional, and personal. Great design begins with embracing the architecture, understanding how you live in the home today, and how you want it to support you in the years ahead.
If you’re ready to see your home through a designer’s eyes and create a clear, thoughtful path forward, a consultation is the perfect place to begin.
