WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
That “living” document idea is spot on—keeps everyone on the same page, especially when things inevitably shift. I’d add: how detailed are you getting with your initial requirements? Sometimes folks skip over stuff like electrical layouts or window placements early on, and it bites them later. Curious if you’ve found a good way to balance flexibility with nailing down those technical details upfront.
Sometimes folks skip over stuff like electrical layouts or window placements early on, and it bites them later.
Totally guilty of this—once had to move a whole wall because I didn’t think about where the sun would hit in the afternoons. Now I sketch out “must-haves” but leave wiggle room for the fun stuff. It’s a dance between vision and reality, honestly.
It’s a dance between vision and reality, honestly.
- Couldn’t agree more. I always tell folks:
- List your “non-negotiables” (sunlight, outlets, privacy spots).
- Sketch rough layouts—don’t worry about perfection.
- Bring those to your designer early. Saves headaches later.
- Don’t be afraid to change your mind mid-process. Sometimes the best ideas pop up after you see things on paper.
- And yeah, sunlight direction? That’s a big one people miss... seen it too many times.
And yeah, sunlight direction? That’s a big one people miss... seen it too many times.
You nailed it with the sunlight thing. I’ve seen folks get so caught up in floor plans and Pinterest boards that they forget how much natural light can change a space. I’d even add—think about where you’ll be during different times of day. Morning coffee spot? Afternoon reading nook? Those little details make a huge difference. And yeah, changing your mind mid-process is normal... sometimes you don’t know what works until you see it in real life.
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
I’ve seen folks get so caught up in floor plans and Pinterest boards that they forget how much natural light can change a space.
That’s honestly one of the first things I try to get people to think about—where the sun actually hits during the day. It’s wild how many times I’ve walked into a house with a gorgeous living room... but it’s basically a cave after 2pm because nobody thought about sunlight. I always suggest walking through your space at different times of day, even before you start talking to designers or contractors. Just sit in the rooms, see where the light lands, and notice if there are spots that feel gloomy or too bright.
And yeah, those “morning coffee” or “afternoon reading” moments matter more than people realize. I had a client who was dead set on putting her home office in this cute little nook—looked perfect on paper. But by 10am, it was like working inside a toaster oven. We ended up swapping her office and guest room, and suddenly she was actually using the space.
One thing I’ll add (and maybe this is just me): don’t get too hung up on making every single decision before you hire someone. There’s this pressure to have your entire vision mapped out, but honestly, part of the process is discovering what works as you go. Sometimes you need to see things in real life—paint colors, furniture placement, even how your family moves through the house—before it all clicks.
If you’re interviewing designers, ask them how they handle changes mid-project. Some folks are super rigid about sticking to the plan; others are more flexible and collaborative. In my experience, it’s better to work with someone who expects a bit of back-and-forth. Nobody gets everything right on the first try.
And don’t be afraid to push back if something doesn’t feel right for your lifestyle. Trends come and go, but you’re the one living there every day.
