Why I Think We're Designing Homes Backwards
If there's one thing I've learnt over the years, it's this:
Most people don't struggle because they make bad design decisions.
They struggle because they make them in the wrong order.
By the time many clients get in touch, they've already spent weeks—sometimes months—saving Pinterest images, ordering paint samples, choosing sofas and debating between brass or black handles.
But they've skipped the one thing that matters most.
The plan.
It's a bit like choosing your outfit before you've decided where you're going.
It might look great, but it probably won't be the right choice.
We Start With The Fun Stuff
I completely understand why.
Choosing colours, furniture and fabrics is exciting.
It's the part of interior design that fills our Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards.
It's tangible.
It feels like progress.
But these are usually some of the final decisions I make during a project—not the first.
Because without understanding how a home needs to function, every other decision becomes much harder.
The Best Homes Aren't Designed Around Furniture
They're designed around people.
Before I think about a sofa, I'm asking different questions.
How do you start your mornings?
Where does everyone naturally gather?
Do you work from home?
Do you entertain often?
Where do coats, bags and shoes end up when you walk through the door?
What frustrates you about your home today?
These answers shape every design decision that follows.
Not the other way around.
A Beautiful Home Starts With A Good Plan
The homes that feel effortless rarely happen by accident.
They're the result of thoughtful planning.
Sometimes that means moving a doorway instead of buying new furniture.
Sometimes it means adding storage before changing the kitchen.
Sometimes it means keeping the existing sofa because it works perfectly once the layout changes.
The solution isn't always buying more.
Often, it's understanding what you already have and making it work better.
Pinterest Doesn't Know How You Live
I love Pinterest.
It's an incredible place to gather inspiration and explore ideas.
But inspiration should be the starting point—not the blueprint.
A beautifully styled Californian home isn't designed for a Victorian townhouse in Edinburgh.
Nor is it designed around your family, your routines or your lifestyle.
The best homes borrow inspiration but never lose their own identity.
Interior Design Is Really About Problem Solving
People often assume my job is choosing furniture and colour palettes.
In reality, that's only a small part of it.
Most of my time is spent solving problems.
Improving flow.
Making better use of space.
Helping clients make confident decisions.
Creating homes that feel easier to live in.
When those foundations are right, everything else starts to fall into place naturally.
What I'd Do First
If you're thinking about redesigning your home, I'd encourage you to pause before ordering the sofa or choosing the paint colour.
Instead, ask yourself:
What's actually not working?
Is it the furniture?
Or is it the layout?
Is it the colour?
Or is it the lighting?
Is it the kitchen?
Or is it the way you use it every day?
The answers might surprise you.
Because the best design projects don't begin with shopping.
They begin with understanding.
And I think that's why so many of us have been designing our homes backwards.
Ready to Start With A Plan?
If you're planning to renovate, redesign or simply make your home work better, don't worry if you don't have all the answers yet.
That's exactly where the design process begins.
Together, we'll take a step back, understand how you live and create a clear plan before making the big decisions—helping you avoid costly mistakes and create a home that feels thoughtful, functional and completely your own.
Get in touch to start your project with Room Service.