6 questions to ask yourself before making any design choice

Making design decisions can feel like playing “Will I Regret This Later?” on hard mode. You don’t know whether you’re making the right decisions, or whether the item you’re buying is worth the price tag.

Part of the reason why could be due to you not carving out the time to check in with yourself and your ‘bigger picture plan’ before making these decisions. I see this all the time with my clients and (still) sometimes with myself!

Before you start stressing about picking paint colors or impulse-buying that oversized, personality-packed occasional chair (that you’ll probably be over after a few months in—yep, we’ve all been there), I want you to ask yourself these 6 key questions. Trust me, they’ll help you make sure your space turns out exactly how you want it. Without the stress!

Serene and timeless—this primary bedroom is a peaceful retreat, blending layered window furnishings, soft natural light, and warm feminine tones with a classic touch. Desired Vibe = Tick!

1. How do I want the room to feel?

Before we get caught up in what looks good, let’s talk about the vibe. Interior design isn’t just about looking pretty. It’s about feeling good. Do you want your bedroom to be a zen retreat? Your kitchen a buzzing social hub? Or your living room to give you major “I could stay here all day” vibes? Think about the mood you want first, and then coordinate color, lighting, and layout to bring that feeling to life. Once you have that, all the other little details fall into place far more easily!

2. How will I use this space?

Form follows function, my friend! A room should work for you, not just look pretty. Be real about your lifestyle. Do you even host - or want to host - dinner parties to accommodate the need for that 12 seat dining table on your Pinterest dream board? Do you actually use that home office, or is it just a place to store laundry? And if you dream of boozy brunches but have zero seats for guests (ahem) maybe that’s where you start! Design for your real life and your dream life—not the picture-perfect life of others you see online.

3. What do I love about this room?

Every room has something going on that’s worthy to note. Maybe it's that incredible natural light or perhaps it’s just the ample wall space that’s simply begging for a gallery wall? Whatever it is, identify what you love and make sure your design choices amplify it. Maybe you’ve got a cozy fireplace or killer garden views—those are the details you want to highlight when planning, not hide.

The beautiful garden views was this little guest bedroom’s biggest asset!

4. What do I hate about this room?

Now, if we’re getting really real with ourselves, there’s probably something that you don’t like about this room. What’s annoying you? The weird layout? The outdated wallpaper? That random, oddly shaped corner area that serves no purpose? Knowing what you don’t like is just as important as what you do. It helps you find the right solutions, so you know where to splurge (hello cabinetry or custom upholstered sofa!) and where to save (that corner probably just needs a well styled shelf, a cute lamp and a plant to function well enough for now). Tackling these issues mentally first will make a huge difference to your end design, and your future self will thank you.

5. Where have I felt the most amazing, and how can I recreate that?

Think about that one place—whether it’s a hotel, Airbnb, or your friend’s house—where you walked in and thought, Wow, I feel so GOOD here. Was it the well placed lighting? The patterns and textures? The amount of furniture in the layout? Take note of what made you feel amazing, and figure out how you can bring that magic into your own space. Your using your lived experiences as inspiration intel, so get to taking those notes!

6. Will this still work for me in 10 years?

Trends come and go (goodbye, singular accent walls!), but your style and space should evolve with you. Whether your family is growing, shrinking, or your passion for watercolor painting suddenly takes over—think about how your space will (or can) grow with you. Keep flexibility in mind so future-you won’t have to redo everything when life changes.

Final thoughts

Designing a space isn’t just about what looks good—it’s about what feels right and what has a better chance of lasting. Ask yourself these questions, and you’ll know where to dig deep and design for the long haul—and where to have fun and play with trends and experiment with your creative style. So go on and get to asking! Start creating a home that’s stylish, functional, comfy, and totally deserving of you!

👉 Want a little extra help identifying your unique style? It all starts with a good intentional decluttering.Get my free checklist here to help you identify which items you love, and which you’re ready to - finally - get rid of!