If there’s anything I understand as an interior designer and mother of small children living in an 1890s multifamily fixer upper, it is this: There is no such thing as perfection — only progress. That is, what might best suit the needs within a space can evolve over time, and often, sooner than we think.

I’m not suggesting you overhaul the same space again and again. In fact, with an intentional design plan in place, you shouldn’t have to! Instead, this is an invitation to embrace a growth mindset — the belief in improvement through effort, learning, and adaptability — to how you design, organize, and maintain your home. It’s an invitation to see your spaces as living, breathing entities that can grow and evolve right alongside you.

Are you already embracing a growth mindset in your home? Let’s start with a self check-in!

Are You Embracing a Growth Mindset in Your Home?

1. Embracing Change: Do you see your home as a static space, or one that evolves alongside you?

A) My home is set up once and should stay that way.

B) I like making small, intentional updates over time.

C) I regularly reassess and tweak spaces to fit my family’s needs, consulting my interior designer as needed.

Reflection: If you answered B or C, you’re already embracing change! If you answered A, consider inviting your home to organically evolve as you learn and grow. After all, our homes are reflections of ourselves and our unfolding journeys through life! This isn’t to say you can’t keep anything the same in your space over time — instead, it’s permission to add, remove, or edit as you see fit. For example, maybe you swap that simple entryway console for an antique dresser with ample storage for your gardening tools. (Hey there, new green thumb!)

2. Learning & Experimenting: How do you feel about trying new layouts, furnishings, or decor?

A) I avoid making any changes because I’m afraid of messing up.

B) I experiment occasionally, but I hesitate if I’m unsure of the outcome.

C) I appreciate trying new things that suit my lifestyle and preferences, knowing I can always make adjustments as needed.

Reflection: A growth mindset welcomes learning through trial and error. If fear of failure is holding you back, start small— swap out throw pillows, replace the wall art in your gallery frames, or rearrange a room to see how it feels and functions.

Example: Perhaps you suddenly wish for open space in your living room as your baby becomes mobile, so you store the coffee table for now, and hang a little wall shelf by the sofa to keep your morning tea within adult reach. Going for a bold green shelf inspired by your living room rug? Have fun with it! Enjoy the tummy time with baby on that wide open floor, too. We’re here to offer professional support any time you need a boost!

3. Function Over Perfection: When designing a space from scratch on your own or with an interior designer, what’s your priority?

A) Making it look like a magazine-worthy home.

B) A balance between aesthetics and functionality.

C) Creating a living, breathing space that works for my evolving lifestyle and makes me feel good.

Reflection: A growth mindset embraces changing functional needs and aesthetic preferences over time. Evolving, lived-in spaces have a certain joie de vivre that staging alone just can’t accomplish! Also remember that even what’s considered “magazine-worthy” evolves over time, so even if you’re in love with your current space, you don’t have to stay stuck in that particular picturesque moment.

Example: Maybe you find that, despite having a picture-perfect dining room for the last several years, you crave a little bonus reading nook right by your favorite window now that the living room has become toddler headquarters. You could keep the elongated dining table for weekly dinner parties of the past…or embrace this phase of life, honor your needs, and downsize the dining table to make room for your cozy little corner getaway. A cozy lounger, task lamp, side table, and rug? No sweat — you’ve got your personalized design deliverables to use as reference!

4. Sustainability & Adaptability: How do you ensure your home remains functional and feel-good over time?

A) I frequently redecorate to keep up with changing trends.

B) I try to repurpose or swap out existing furnishings but struggle with meeting our functional needs.

C) I think “big picture” in terms of sustainability and flexibility, investing in adjustable storage solutions, modular furnishings for multifunctional spaces, and flexible styling vignettes with decor I can easily change as life unfolds.

Reflection: Choosing creative and adaptable designs, multi-functional furniture, and timeless elements will allow your home to grow with you, establishing a solid foundation for a simple design refresh.

Example: Because you live in a smaller space that will require a lot of adaptability as your two children grow from babies to teenagers, you’ve thought ahead to what needs to last in the designated kids’ room and what you’re open to changing over time. Your designer draws up a plan for a storage-savvy built-in cabinet system, complete with clothing storage, a pull-out desk for crafting/workspace, and storage for craft supplies, toys, and electronics — you name it. So much is accomplished by this big-ticket item with adjustable shelving, while the layout of the main space shifts quite often in the early childhood years. The beds change regularly, from crib, to Montessori bed, to both, to two twins, so you buy them all secondhand over time — including the gorgeous antique finds you landed for long-term! And all the while, the cabinet system has stood the test of time alongside your growing children.

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Key Takeaways

No matter where you are in the design process, remember: There’s no such thing as perfection — only progress. This is your invitation to keep learning, adapting, and creating a home that grows with you! And anytime you wish for professional support, we’ve got you.

We’re not after permanence when it comes to the interiors of living, breathing family homes. Instead, it’s my goal to provide my clients with a complete, cohesive look and to empower my clients to use their designer-curated plans as a launch-pad throughout all the phases of life to come.

This is one of the things I love most about my business structure: I provide you with your complete set of design deliverables, so that you can use it as guide from this point forward. Use your design concept as reference for colors, patterns, textures, silhouettes, and finishes when you pull together your new reading nook. Thinking of expanding your modular sofa? Use your floor plan to consider the space, flow of traffic, and suitable dimensions.

When you have a complete, cohesive design plan in place as a baseline, it becomes easier to make simple changes necessary as you go about your lives. And don’t fret — any time you wish for more direct support with your changing needs over time, I’m only a click away!

Book your personalized design plan today!

Let’s Connect!

How has embracing a growth mindset impacted your life and your home? We welcome you to share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments! And don’t forget to connect with us on social. See you there!