Honestly, I’ve never understood why some designers act like they’re footing the bill. Had a similar thing happen—kept pushing for a mudroom and got so much resistance about “flow.” Now it’s the most-used spot in the house. You really do have to advocate for what you want, even if it feels awkward. Energy efficiency, too—unless you harp on it, it just gets watered down. And storage? Never met anyone who regretted having too much.
Never met anyone who regretted having too much.
Right? I swear, every time I build out a closet or add a few extra shelves, I end up wishing I’d gone even bigger. Designers sometimes get stuck on “clean lines” and “minimalism” but real life is messy.
- Push for the stuff you know you’ll use (mudroom, pantry, whatever).
- Don’t let them talk you out of practical things just for aesthetics.
- Energy efficiency—100% agree, you have to keep bringing it up or it’ll get value-engineered away.
Honestly, sometimes I think they forget we’re the ones living in it, not them...
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
You nailed it about designers sometimes missing the mark on real-life needs. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen clients wish they’d gone for more storage or a bigger mudroom after moving in. It’s like, you can always make a space look cleaner, but you can’t magically add storage once the walls are up.
I had one project where the client insisted on a walk-in pantry—honestly, it took some convincing to show the architect why it mattered. Fast forward six months, and that pantry is their favorite part of the house. Meanwhile, the “open shelving” in the kitchen looks great for about a week, then turns into clutter central.
Energy efficiency is another one that tends to get trimmed if you’re not careful. It’s not flashy, but it pays off in the long run. I get that designers want things to look sharp, but at the end of the day, you’re the one living with it...not just looking at photos for a portfolio.
Totally agree—designers love their “wow” moments, but it’s the boring stuff like storage and insulation that actually makes a house work. I learned the hard way: our first place looked great but had nowhere to stash winter boots or sports gear. Now, I push for practical stuff up front, even if it’s not Pinterest-worthy. Open shelving is a nightmare unless you’re a minimalist or have zero kids. And yeah, energy efficiency gets ignored until the first utility bill hits... then suddenly it matters.
Open shelving is a nightmare unless you’re a minimalist or have zero kids.
Couldn’t agree more—open shelves look great in photos, but in real life? Dust, clutter, and chaos. I learned the hard way too: built a “statement” mudroom with fancy cubbies, but nowhere for wet boots to drip. Now I always ask designers about the boring stuff first—where does the vacuum go, how thick are the walls, what’s the R-value? If they can’t answer, I move on. Pinterest is fun, but it won’t keep your toes warm in January.
