Honestly, you’re not overthinking it at all. I’d argue you *should* be interviewing designers—if they can’t listen or adapt to your actual needs (like the laundry room chaos), it’s a red flag. There’s no magic formula for knowing exactly what you’ll need, especially if you’re building from scratch. I spent weeks sketching floor plans and still missed stuff I thought would be obvious. Living in a space first helps, but if that’s not possible, just document your routines and annoyances as best you can. You’re right, it’s trial and error... but you’re already ahead by asking these questions instead of just chasing trends.
Interviewing designers is key, but I’d add that you should ask to see examples of their past work—especially projects similar in size or style to yours. I once hired someone who had a great portfolio, but it turned out most of their experience was with big open-concept spaces, not the smaller, more compartmentalized layout I wanted. Ended up with a few awkward corners I still regret. Trust your gut if something feels off during those early conversations.
