Unveiling the Potential: What Interior Designers Really Notice Inside Your Home

Design & Styling: Nancy Lane Interiors | Photo: Ellen Renee Photography

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to work with hundreds of clients here in Houston and coast to coast with flexible interior design services ranging from one time paint consultations to virtual distance design consultations, full service whole house furnishings and complete whole house renovations and everything in between. From personality to preferred preferences and styles, I can tell you that no project and certainly no client has ever been the same. Every project and every person is unique as they should be.

In last month’s NLI newsletter I shared a story about a new acquaintance, who upon finding out that I was an interior designer, immediately started making excuses about her own home and telling me how embarrassed she would be at just the thought of having me over to visit because she didn’t like xyz about her house and how it needed 1,234 things improved upon or changed.

I wish I could say that her reaction was unusual but honestly, I get a similar reaction from nearly every new client I work with. As they greet me at their front door, the first thing they'll do is apologize for one thing or another about their home, as if I’m walking in to make value judgements on their personal style and taste as both judge and jury. I do my best to reassure them, it's ok, I'm not here to judge because I promise I'm not. I'm here to help you love where you live. 

What Interior Designers Really Notice Inside Your Home

I truly believe the key to crafting the perfect space starts with getting to know the people that call it home. Through attentive listening and our detailed on-boarding process, we strive to get to know our clients first, then use our expertise to create unique comfortable spaces that translate and reflect who they are, what they love, and how they live in each space of their home. So when I ask for new clients to show me any room of their house that they're willing to share, not just the ones we'll be working on, it's not to be nosy. Its really about getting to know our client's taste and style and life style...how they live in and use their home's spaces.

As an interior designer, I consider myself, first and foremost, a problem-solver. My background, training, and experience allows me to walk into new spaces and note existing conditions and finishes and quickly see possibilities and make suggestions for improvements. I like to ask questions, figure out what’s not working and why, then evaluate all of the data and come up with solutions to my clients’ problems. It is enormously satisfying for me to help and serve others in this way, doing what I love and am deeply passionate about.

When we walk into new projects, my team members and I are able to analyze and of course notice things that perhaps non-designers may not, but we use our skills and experience to gather and decipher information with the goal of transformation rather than to judge. I can assure you that my own home is, and always will be, both a work in progress and far from perfect. Even with all of the improvements I've made in my own home over the years, including last year’s “year of the house” projects, there are still some things I would love to change or update #allegedly (don’t mention that to the hubs if you see him)

Design & Styling: Nancy Lane Interiors | Photo: Ellen Renee Photography

When I visit someone’s home for the first time, here are the things I do notice: 

I notice the very best qualities of a space. I often refer to these as 'the bones' of a space. Maybe it's a particular decorative or architectural feature. Maybe it’s the quality of natural light coming in through a wall of windows, or maybe it’s interesting sightlines to an outdoor garden or water feature or maybe its the sheer size of the space. 

In other words, I immediately see the best features a space has to offer. Then my brain automatically starts to envision how those elements could be enhanced or enriched. Maybe there’s a stunning fireplace that looks a little dated and could use a refresh. Maybe there are beautiful window or door trim details that would shine with a fresh coat of paint. Or maybe certain historical features that define the home’s vintage and could be highlighted to add visual interest. 

As a designer, I’m able to visualize what someone’s home will look like in its most perfect state, so really, when I see your home, I see positives and possibility.

I can tell if a space is being used in the best way just by looking at it. It's true. When I walk into most spaces, my mind starts thinking about how to make the room work better, like changing where the furniture is or how the space is used. I pay attention to how people move through the room. Sometimes furniture is placed in a way that makes it hard to walk around, or it feels cramped. But even small changes—like moving a sofa or table—can make a big difference in the flow of the space. It can make the room feel bigger, easier to use, and even easier on the eyes when things move around and finally make sense.

I consider the current functionality of a space and use forward thinking to consider changing needs. My husband jokes that I'm always playing 3D chess in my head while everyone else is playing checkers. I agree that my brain works five steps ahead in most situations, ha. I'm certainly not a fortune teller but I do tend to look into the future of the homeowners’ lives and plan ahead accordingly. As I've said before, I believe that every home tells the story of the people that live in it. And I personally like to think about how a home might need to be adjusted to ensure there is an optimal fit between the house and the people who occupy it, not just NOW but also in the future, as individuals and their families age and grow.

Think about it. Young families face the need for more usable flex space as their family size multiplies. Homes with young children need areas for play and storage galore, school aged kids need space for studying and homework as well as play and creativity. Growing teens often feel a profound need for privacy and spaces for their hobbies or to hang out with friends. There's the almost empty nester stage, which I am personally in, with kids launching into their own lifes leaving empty bedrooms and unused living space. And with homeowners at later stages of life, I consider the implications of empty-nesting and accommodating aging bodies and physical challenges. ​Remember: A home evolves as the inhabitants do. Life changes and so then do the needs of your living spaces.

I notice right away when a space doesn’t match what the homeowner needs or loves to do. Like, a tiny, cramped kitchen for someone who loves to cook and bake? Or a work desk stuck on a cramped kitchen island for someone who works from home all day? Or a flex space filled with portable cots and playpens for busy grandparents who dream of hosting grandkids routinely and really could use a dreamy bunk room. When I see things like these real life examples I've encountered, my mind starts spinning with ideas about how to make the space work better for the people living there, so they can enjoy it and use it in a way that really fits their life. 

I think about return on investment and whether improvements to a home could add value. For most people, their home is the biggest asset they’ll ever own, so it’s important to take care of it. It’s a shame when someone sells their home but doesn’t get as much value or money out of it as they could have if important repairs are needed but ignored or if the home’s style becomes outdated. When this happens, it can scare off buyers who don’t want to deal with a large renovation or lots of issues following ages of disrepair. Taking care of repairs and routine maintenance and keeping your home looking nice is a smart way to protect your investment and make sure it’s worth as much as possible if you decide to sell.  

All this to say or reassure you, I will never judge you or your home, it’s not part of my job description or what I hold in my heart. What I will do is this: I will see possibilities, I will notice the beauty that does exist, I will see opportunities. I will think about how small changes can result in big transformations, as in better use, better function, more value, and more joy! 

So, try not to be reluctant or completely averse to have an interior designer visit or see your home. A fresh set of eyes and ideas can transform, improve, and dare I say elevate your day-to-day life. 

At Nancy Lane Interiors, our process begins with you. Each project kicks off with a one-on-one discovery call, in which you share your vision for your home, your goals and needs plus how you want your home to feel; while we do the most significant thing a good designer can (and should) do...listen. 

To learn more about how we can help you with your home, check out our interior design services here.