Login
If you’ve ever walked into a picture-perfect home only to find it completely impractical for daily living, you know that beauty alone isn’t enough. A truly great design is one that doesn’t just look good—it works effortlessly for the people who live in it. That’s the heart of the conversation Rebeka and Rebecca, our head of Interior Design at BuildHer Collective, recently had on an episode of Building with BuildHer. They didn’t just talk about what makes a space aesthetically pleasing; they delved into what makes a home liveable.
So, how do you design a home that functions as beautifully as it looks? Here’s what they had to say:
Designing for Real Life, Not Just Instagram
Clients always come to meetings ready with their Pinterest/Instagram inspiration images. But let’s be real—living in a showroom home isn’t practical. Your kitchen isn’t just for styling the perfect countertop vignette; it’s for cooking, entertaining, and possibly corralling kids while you attempt to make dinner. That’s why Rebeka and Rebecca always start with one essential question: How do you actually live in your home?
For example, they both recalled a client that loved to cook so she needed a highly functional kitchen. This included a specific flow to accommodate family and cooking routines, such as a double sink for washing pots while cooking, a drying rack, and ample space for various appliances like a commercial-grade ice cream churner and a KitchenAid.
Another example is considering how kids fetch snacks and having easy access to the bins so they can easily clean up after themselves (that is the hope anyway!)
“Some people care about their fridge-to-sink relationship,” Rebecca points out, “while others have never thought about it. Everyone’s daily habits shape how their home should be designed.”
The trick? Get inside the client’s world.
How to Apply This: Walk through your (or your client’s) daily routine—literally. Imagine stepping out of bed, making coffee, prepping meals, doing laundry. Where does everything need to be to make life easier? A well-designed home should support that flow seamlessly.
Customisation is Everything
No two homeowners are the same, and their homes shouldn’t be, either. Some crave an oversised island where the family gathers, while others need a streamlined workspace in the kitchen to keep life organised. As Rebecca explains, “It’s not about following trends; it’s about creating a home that fits them.”
Rebeka recalled a rural family she worked with that needed a homeschooling setup to help separate their work and living spaces. The family, living in a historic home with old servants’ quarters, needed to modernise the space while preserving its history. Creating separate spaces for school and home life improved its functionality. Their mudroom also became a crucial element to manage the mess from farm life, with direct access to the laundry and bathroom for easy cleanup after outdoor work.
Rebeka adds that flexibility is key because, let’s face it, life changes. “You tweak one thing, and suddenly, the whole design shifts. But that’s part of the process.”
How to Apply This: Build flexibility into your designs. Think modular storage, multifunctional spaces, and adaptable layouts that evolve with your needs.
The Magic Is in the Details
Ever noticed how small design tweaks can completely transform your day-to-day life? That’s why Rebeka and Rebecca obsess over the little things—like storage placement and kitchen flow.
Take the humble dishwasher. “When you unload it, can you put everything away in one step?” Rebecca asks. “That’s life-changing.” Or consider a mudroom—if a family walks in the door at the same time, does their stuff have a place to land, or does it instantly turn into chaos?
They spoke about a client that needed their design to accommodate four children. This family required a mudroom with individual lockers for each child to store school bags, shoes, and coats. The design needed to be practical, with considerations for how the children would enter the home and drop off their belongings to avoid clutter. This was especially important given the lack of space for a bag drop near the entrance. The pantry had to be reconfigured to achieve this – but ultimately, so worthwhile!
These tiny decisions add up to a home that just works.
How to Apply This: Pay attention to micro-movements in a space. Are everyday tasks streamlined or frustrating? How can you alleviate that?
Key Takeaways to Elevate Your Designs
- Start with Real Life: The best designs support how people actually live, not just how they want their home to look.
- Embrace Flexibility: Expect to tweak and refine. The best designs evolve with their owners.
- Function First: A beautiful space that doesn’t work well is a missed opportunity.
- Design for Systems: Whether it’s a drop zone for school bags or a well-organized pantry, smart systems make a home easier to live in.
Final Thought: A Home Should Feel Considered
At the end of the day, as Rebeka puts it, “It doesn’t need to be a big space; it just needs to be a considered space.” When every detail is intentional—designed to make life easier, not harder—you create a home that’s not only stunning but a joy to live in.
So whether you’re renovating, building, or developing, remember: the magic is in balancing function with flair. Because the most beautiful home is the one that truly works for the people inside it.
You can listen to the full podcast episode here.
