Five Design Decisions You'll Never Regret
The timeless choices I come back to again and again
After years of designing homes, renovations, and remodels, I've learned that the best design decisions aren't necessarily the most exciting ones in the moment. They're the ones you still love years later.
Trends can be fun—I certainly enjoy seeing what's new—but when my clients are investing in their homes, I always want to think about longevity, livability, and that wonderful feeling of this feels like us.
Here are five choices I rarely regret recommending.
1. Timeless Materials
Natural stone. Beautiful wood. Linen. Wool. Brass. These are materials that develop character rather than simply getting old.
I love materials that can live with you and become more beautiful over time. They give a home warmth and depth, and they provide a foundation that can evolve as your taste does.
If you're spending money on a renovation, I'd rather see you invest in a beautiful natural material than something chosen simply because it's having a moment.
2. Layered Lighting
Good lighting is one of those things you don't always notice until it's bad.
I love a combination of overhead lighting, sconces, lamps, accent lighting, and dimmers. Different layers allow a room to change throughout the day and evening.
Morning coffee needs a different mood than dinner with friends.
And nothing makes a home feel more inviting than turning off the bright overheads and letting the lamps do their thing.
3. Custom Window Treatments
This is one of my favorite investments.
The right window treatments can soften a room, add warmth and texture, control light, provide privacy, and make windows feel beautifully integrated into the architecture.
I know custom treatments aren't always the most glamorous thing to talk about, but I promise you notice them.
They can make a room feel finished in a way that ready-made panels simply can't.
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4. Quality Rugs
A good rug does so much more than cover a floor.
It grounds the furniture, defines a space, adds softness, and brings color and pattern into a room. And because rugs take a lot of wear, I think quality matters.
I especially love rugs with a little age, texture, and personality. They don't have to look brand new to be beautiful.
In fact, sometimes the slightly worn-in rug is the thing that makes the whole room feel collected.
5. Invest in Pieces You Truly Love
This might be my biggest piece of advice.
Don't buy something just because you think you should have it.
Wait for the chair that makes you smile. The artwork you can't stop thinking about. The antique that reminds you of somewhere you've been. The beautiful table you know you'll have for years.
I would much rather have a home filled with fewer things that you genuinely love than a room full of pieces that were simply convenient.
Those are the pieces that give a home its soul.
When you're making bigger investments, I always encourage my clients to ask:
Will I still love this when the trend has moved on?
If the answer is yes, you're probably onto something good.
Because ultimately, good design isn't about creating a home that looks current.
It's about creating a home that feels like you, and continues to feel that way for a very long time.