I Wish More Homes Had Less
This might sound like a strange thing for an interior designer to say, but I genuinely wish more homes had... less.
Less furniture.
Less clutter.
Less pressure to fill every empty corner.
Less buying for the sake of buying.
Somewhere along the way, we've started believing that a finished home is one that's full.
I couldn't disagree more.
We've Started Confusing “Finished" With “Filled"
When clients move into a new home, there's often an overwhelming urge to complete it as quickly as possible.
Every room needs furnishing.
Every wall needs artwork.
Every shelf needs styling.
Every surface needs something sitting on it.
But the homes I find most beautiful rarely feel full.
They feel intentional.
Every piece has earned its place.
Empty Space Isn't Empty
One of the biggest luxuries in a home isn't expensive furniture.
It's breathing room.
The space around a beautiful armchair.
The quiet wall that allows a piece of art to shine.
The hallway that doesn't become a storage unit.
The shelf that isn't trying to prove anything.
Empty space allows the eye to rest.
It creates calm.
And in a world where we're constantly surrounded by noise, our homes should offer the opposite.
You Don't Need More Furniture
More often than not, when a room feels "off", the answer isn't another chair.
Or another side table.
Or another vase.
Usually it's about asking better questions.
Is the furniture the right size?
Does the layout work?
Is the lighting doing enough?
Have too many things ended up competing for attention?
Adding more rarely solves those problems.
Editing often does.
The Most Interesting Homes Feel Collected
One of the biggest compliments I can give a home is that it feels collected rather than decorated.
Collected over time.
Collected through travel.
Collected through memories.
Collected through living.
Those homes don't feel like they've been ordered from one showroom over a single weekend.
They feel layered.
Personal.
Comfortable.
They're never trying too hard.
Buying Slowly Is A Design Skill
There's an idea that once you've moved house, everything should be finished within six months.
I don't believe that.
Some of the best decisions happen after you've lived somewhere for a while.
After you've understood how the light changes throughout the day.
Which room you naturally gravitate towards.
Where everyone drops their shoes.
Which corners remain unused.
Living in a home teaches you how to design it.
Shopping can't do that.
The Goal Isn't Less. It's Enough.
This isn't about minimalism.
I love books.
Art.
Vintage finds.
Interesting objects.
Homes should absolutely have personality.
But personality doesn't come from quantity.
It comes from choosing things that mean something.
Pieces that tell your story.
Pieces you'll still love in ten years.
Pieces that make your home feel unmistakably yours.
What I'd Remove Tomorrow
If I walked into my own home tomorrow, I probably wouldn't add anything.
I'd take something away.
I'd edit.
I'd move furniture.
I'd rethink a layout.
I'd simplify a shelf.
Because good design isn't always about adding.
Sometimes it's about knowing when to stop.
And I think that's something we've quietly forgotten.
I wish more homes had less.
Not because less is better.
But because when every piece has purpose, the things that remain become infinitely more beautiful.
Sometimes The Best Design Decision Is Knowing What Not To Add
Creating a home you love isn't about filling every room—it's about making thoughtful decisions that support the way you live.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by choices or unsure where to begin, I'd love to help you create a home that's calm, considered and completely your own.
Get in touch to start your project with Room Service.