Some needs are obvious. You know when you need more storage, better lighting, or a couch that doesn’t feel like a medieval torture device. But others? They’re lurking just below the surface, quietly messing with your daily flow—like why your mornings always feel rushed no matter what, or why you keep avoiding that one room even though it’s technically “finished.”
This time, we’re diving into the real personalities that make up your vibrant, chaotic, wonderful life—and what they actually need from your home (whether they realize it or not).
Active Needs vs. Latent Needs: The Design Detective Work
Design isn’t just about making a space look good—it’s about making it work for the people (and pets) living in it. But figuring out what matters most? That’s where it gets tricky.
- Active Needs – The things you already know you need. More closet space. Less clutter. A dedicated spot to drop your keys so you stop losing them five times a day.
- Latent Needs – The things you don’t realize are affecting you until they’re fixed. Why do you always feel drained in that one room? Why is bedtime a battle every single night? Why does your kitchen make you feel like a contestant in a high-stakes game show when you’re just trying to make coffee?
Your home is always talking to you—it’s just a matter of listening.
Deciphering What’s Crucial vs. What’s Just Noise
We all have moments where we think, This one thing will fix everything. And sometimes it does. But often, it’s just a dopamine hit—a quick-fix purchase that scratches an itch but doesn’t actually solve the deeper problem.
When you’re evaluating changes, ask yourself:
✔ Does this solve a daily frustration? (Not just a mild annoyance, but something that actively impacts your life.)
✔ Does this support how I actually live? (Not just how I wish I lived.)
✔ Does this work for everyone in the home? (Even the tiny humans, the partners who insist they don’t care but totally do, and the pets who believe they own the place.)
Where Do Pets Fit In?
Oh, they fit in everywhere. But if you’ve ever rearranged your furniture only to find your dog still insists on sleeping in the hallway—or your cat has declared a rogue chair the throne of the kingdom—you know their needs are part of the equation. Design isn’t just about making a home functional for people—it’s about understanding how all living beings in the space move through it.
The Real Goal: A Home That Champions Everyone in It
A well-designed home doesn’t just reflect your personal style. It advocates for you. It fights for your comfort, your time, your peace of mind—even when you don’t realize it needs to.
So, next time you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or weirdly off in a space, step back and ask: What is this room actually trying to tell me?
If it turns out that what you really need is a more seamless morning, a cozier family space, or just a better spot for your dog to nap where you won’t trip over him—then that’s where the real design magic happens. And a talented home designer will help you uncover all those obvious AND hidden ways your daily life is out to get ya.
Because the best homes don’t just look good. They get you.
Your Homework: Play Design Detective
Want to know what your home (and the people in it) actually need? Try this:
1️⃣ Observe Without Intervening. Spend a day just noticing what’s happening. Where does clutter pile up? What spots are always in use (or never used at all)? What seems to cause frustration, even in small ways?
2️⃣ Ask Better Questions. Instead of asking, What should we change?, ask:
- What makes this space stressful?
- Where do I feel the most comfortable at home—and why?
- What would make this daily task easier?
3️⃣ Take Notes on Surprising Patterns. Maybe your family always gathers in the kitchen, but the seating is uncomfortable. Or your kids never play in their rooms because they feel too dark or cluttered. Maybe your pet always sleeps in that one sunny spot—what if you designed around it instead of fighting it?
4️⃣ Prioritize Real Needs Over Quick Fixes. Before you buy, rearrange, or paint anything, decide: Is this an active need I already know about, or is it a latent need I just uncovered?
Coming up next: Designing for people you actually live with, why the one-size-fits-all approach next works, and how to design a home that adapts to and for everyone.
Until next time, may your keys find their rightful home, your couch not betray your spine, and your pet finally approve of your furniture choices.
Stay weird, stay wonderful.
Steph
