WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
I get the urge to lock down your “must-haves” early, but honestly, sometimes the best ideas come from a little flexibility. I’ve seen clients come in with a rigid list and miss out on creative solutions they never imagined. Instead of a hard line between “must” and “nice,” maybe try a “dream big” session with your designer—sometimes the wild ideas actually end up being the most practical. And about budgets... sometimes a small splurge on something unique (like a custom nook or built-in) can totally transform how you use the space, even if it means tweaking elsewhere.
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
I totally get the urge to have a super clear list of “must-haves” before you even talk to anyone, but honestly, sometimes that can box you in more than you’d think. I’ve had clients come in with these super detailed spreadsheets and Pinterest boards, and while it’s great to know what you like, it can make it tough to see other options. Sometimes the best parts of a project come from those “what if we tried…” moments.
One thing I always suggest is starting with how you want your house to *feel* rather than just what you want it to have. Like, do you want it to feel cozy? Open? Super organized? That vibe can guide way more decisions than just a checklist of features. And when you’re meeting designers, pay attention to whether they actually listen or just try to push their own style—chemistry matters way more than people realize.
Budget-wise, I’m with you on the small splurges. The little custom touches (like a window seat or a funky light fixture) end up being what people love most about their homes. You don’t have to go wild everywhere—sometimes one or two unique things make the whole place feel special.
If you’re not sure where to start looking for someone, word of mouth is still gold. Ask friends or neighbors who’ve done renos who they used and what the process was like. Online portfolios are helpful too, but nothing beats hearing how someone handles hiccups or changes along the way.
And honestly… don’t stress if your ideas change halfway through. That’s pretty normal. The best projects evolve as you go—it’s part of the fun (and sometimes the chaos).
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
I get what you’re saying about not getting boxed in by a checklist, but honestly, having a solid list saved me from a ton of headaches. When you’re spending big, it’s easy to get swept up in “what ifs” and end up with stuff you don’t actually need. I’d say balance is key—know your must-haves, but stay open to surprises.
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
Honestly, I’m with you on the checklist thing—having a clear idea of what you want up front saves a lot of back-and-forth (and money). But here’s the thing: people get so fixated on their “must-haves” that they forget why they’re hiring a designer in the first place. If you’re just ticking boxes, you might as well buy a plan off the internet.
The best projects I’ve worked on started with a list, sure, but the clients who got the most out of it were the ones who let me challenge their assumptions. Sometimes what you think is a “must-have” turns out to be less important once you see other options. I had a client dead set on a formal dining room—until we talked through how they actually live, and suddenly an open kitchen made way more sense.
Bottom line: have your list, but don’t treat it like gospel. The real value comes from collaboration and being willing to rethink things as you go. Otherwise, you’re just paying someone to draw what you already decided, and where’s the fun in that?
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
I get what you’re saying about being flexible, but honestly, sometimes you just *know* what you want. I’ve had friends go in super open-minded and end up with spaces that look amazing but don’t actually work for their routines. Like, I’d be lost without a big walk-in closet, even if a designer tried to talk me out of it. Maybe it’s about finding a balance—be open to ideas, but don’t let go of the stuff that actually matters to your day-to-day. Otherwise, what’s the point of building your dream house?
