I get where you’re coming from. I’ve had clients insist on labeling every cabinet and closet in a new build, thinking it’d help guests. But honestly, too many signs just blend together. I’ve found that if you lay out a space logically—clear paths, good lighting—people rarely get lost. Signs should fill in the gaps, not cover up design flaws.
Signs should fill in the gaps, not cover up design flaws.
Totally agree with this. I’ve always wondered—if a space needs a label on every single door, is it really designed for people to move around naturally? Sometimes I’ll walk into a spec home that’s so over-labeled it feels like walking through an airport. Ever notice how the best hotel lobbies barely need signs? It’s like the space just tells you where to go. Maybe that’s the real goal.
I get what you’re saying, but sometimes I think signs are a bit of a safety net, especially in public spaces where people aren’t familiar with the layout. I’ve seen some open-concept homes where it’s not obvious which door leads to the pantry or the garage—makes me wonder if there’s a balance between intuitive design and practical labeling. How much do you think user habits should influence the way we design spaces?
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
I get the need for signs, but I actually think we sometimes rely on them too much. When we built our place, I pushed for clearer sightlines and logical flow instead of labels everywhere. It took a bit to get used to, but now it feels more natural—like the space teaches you how to use it. Maybe if we focused more on intuitive layouts, people wouldn’t need as many signs in the first place?
WHAT IF ALL SIGNS WERE DESIGNED FOR EVERYONE TO READ?
Funny you mention this—on one of my last projects, we tried to cut down on signs, thinking “hey, let’s just make the space make sense.” Turns out, people still got lost. There was this one hallway that looked like it led somewhere important, but nope, just a broom closet. We ended up putting a sign anyway. I do think intuitive design is key, but sometimes folks just want that reassurance they’re not about to walk into a janitor’s meeting by accident. Guess it’s all about balance...
