Hiring an interior designer isn’t simply about picking fabrics or debating over paint swatches. Designers can help shape the way you want your home to feel day to day. Maybe you envision yourself feeling instantly at ease when you walk through the door, or maybe you crave open areas for guests to fill coupled with quiet nooks where you can escape. A good designer listens to those needs and
translates them into spaces that feel authentic, not staged.

Most people have a pretty good sense of what they like—it’s the mixing and matching that trips them up. That’s why Pinterest boards and saved posts on Instagram get so much love. They make it look easy until you actually try it yourself. Suddenly, you’ve got three different rugs, four shades of gray paint, and nothing that feels like it belongs together. Designers know how to take and edit all those scattered inspirations into a clear vision.

Finding the right designer starts with style, but it also comes down to trust. You want to look at their portfolio and feel like you’d actually live in those rooms, not just admire them in a magazine. Then, when you sit down to talk, you want to feel like they’re listening to your priorities. A good designer doesn’t impose their look; they translate your taste into an elevated and cohesive space.

In Houston, the way you live shapes the way your home is designed. Every family uses their home differently—some spend most of their time in the kitchen, others are drawn outside to the backyard. Designers pay attention to those habits and make choices that fit your lifestyle, from practical finishes to small details that make the space feel right. They know when a home needs materials tough enough for kids and pets, and when it calls for a touch of luxury with custom details and beautiful lighting. The best part is that a designer can tailor those decisions to how you actually live instead of how you think you should live.

Budget can feel intimidating, but the right designer knows how to be strategic. They’ll tell you where it’s worth investing and where you can save without compromising style. Because they have access to trade-only resources and connections, they can often get you better pricing and quality than if you were shopping on your own. The focus shouldn’t be on spending more, but on spending smart.

What’s often overlooked, however, is the emotional side of design. The way a home is put together can change how it feels to live there. When a space works well, your day flows—you don’t have to think about it, it just does. You feel more relaxed, more motivated, and more willing to have people over. It’s not about creating something staged or picture-perfect—it’s about creating an environment that reflects who you are and makes living there more enjoyable.

When you find yourself enjoying the little moments at home more than you ever have before, you’ll know it wasn’t about the furniture or the paint—it was about choosing to live well. And the first step to living well is finding the home that sets the stage.

Until next time,
Dee Dee Guggenheim Howes