Interior designers share tips for lifestyle-focused home design

Interior designers emphasize that effective home design should prioritize personal lifestyle and daily routines over passing trends. To create a functional space, homeowners are encouraged to analyze their movement patterns, such as morning habits or how they manage clutter, to determine necessary layouts like mudrooms or optimized kitchen work triangles.

In kitchen design specifically, professionals suggest avoiding certain aesthetic and functional choices. Damian Samora of Ferguson & Shamamian Architects advises against raised microwave storage or upper cabinet microwaves, noting they can be eyesores. Instead, designers recommend keeping appliances out of sight in pantries or using appliance garages to maintain uncluttered worktops and maximize preparation areas.