The Biggest Mistake I Made When Designing My Own Home
When I built my own home, I thought I had it all figured out. I wanted a clean, modern look — open spaces, sleek lines, and a minimalist vibe. What I didn’t realize at the time? Storage matters. More than I ever imagined. This was my first full home design and I definitely learned a lot.
I made a conscious choice to skip linen cabinets in the bathrooms. And when I say bathrooms, I mean all three. I wanted them to feel open, airy, and uncluttered. At the time, it seemed like a smart design decision. In reality? I constantly found myself juggling towels, toiletries, and linens — trying to make everything fit in tiny nooks and closets that weren’t designed for the volume we’d eventually need.
As for the kitchen… I thought the cabinet space I had would be plenty. I didn’t account for four kids — and all the kitchen chaos that comes with a busy family. What I didn’t do then, that I do NOW with clients, is go through each cabinet and note where small appliances and dinnerware, etc would live. We’ve had to get creative with extra shelving and storage solutions because we quickly outgrew the space I once would work. And don’t get me wrong, we make it work but it could probably be better. ;) Also when I was designing our home, our budget wasn’t super grand, but I wish I would have spent a little more money for higher end cabinets. Within these 8 years, they definitely have some wear and tear that wouldn’t have happened had we spent a little more upfront.
Looking back, I wish I had balanced my love for a clean aesthetic with practical storage. Because no matter how modern or beautiful a home is, if you can’t store your everyday life in it, you’ll always feel a little off and a little clustered.
A couple other things I have noticed over the 8 years we have lived her is how much space each bedroom has. We have used all the space in the primary but it probably didn’t need to be quite as big as it is. With that said, I have enjoyed the space for built-ins around our tv for my book collection. :)
Designing a home for style is one thing — designing a home for life is another. And life, especially with kids, needs more storage than you think.
All of these lessons have shaped the way I work with homeowners. I bring my own experiences—both the wins and the challenges—into every project, with the goal of creating a home that feels seamless, functional, and truly tailored to each client.