How I Make Design Decisions (and How You Can Too)
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Designing a space can feel overwhelming especially when you’re starting from scratch or staring at a room that doesn’t quite work yet.
Over the years, I’ve learned that the key isn’t having better taste or buying the “right” things right away. It’s having a process. A way to gather ideas, narrow decisions, and move forward without second-guessing every choice.
This is the exact approach I use for every space in our home (including our sunroom) and it’s something anyone can do, regardless of budget or experience.
Step 1: I Start With How I Want the Space to Feel
Before I look at furniture, colors, or finishes, I focus on one thing:
how I want the room to feel when we’re actually using it.
Not how it photographs.
Not how it looks on Pinterest.
How it feels on a regular day.
For the sunroom, I knew I wanted it to feel:
- warm and comfortable year-round
- connected to the rest of the house
- functional for kids and adults
- calm enough to work in
Once I define the feeling…it becomes much easier to make decisions. If something doesn’t support that feeling then it doesn’t move forward.
Step 2: I Use Pinterest for Direction & Not Duplication
Pinterest is where I collect ideas…but I don’t use it to recreate a room exactly.
Instead, I save images that share common themes:
- similar flooring patterns
- ceiling treatments
- layouts
- material combinations
Over time, patterns start to appear and I can see what I’m drawn to most. Certain colors repeat. Certain textures show up again and again. That’s usually a sign I’m starting to define what I like.
The goal isn’t to copy a space. It’s to understand what you’re drawn to it.
Step 3: I Pull Everything Together in Canva
Once I have a general direction, I move everything into Canva.
This is where the ideas start to feel real.
I’ll bring in:
- flooring samples
- cabinet colors
- wood tones
- lighting styles
- inspiration images
Seeing everything together helps me spot what works and what doesn’t. Sometimes a piece I loved on its own suddenly feels wrong once it’s placed next to everything else.
That’s much easier (and cheaper) to realize before anything is ordered.
If you want to try this exact process yourself, I put together a simple design planning guide you can use for any room. It walks through defining the feeling, organizing inspiration, and pulling everything together before you buy anything.
[Download the free design planning guide]
You can shop this look here: https://amzlink.to/az05xfVUzdo6P
Step 4: I Start Shopping With Intention
Only after the vision feels clear do I start shopping.
At this point, I’m not browsing aimlessly because I’m looking for specific things:
- the right scale
- the right tone
- pieces that balance function and comfort
This is where I mix:
- new pieces
- thrifted finds
- items we already own
Because the direction is clear…it makes decisions feel easier and I feel more confident.
A mix of thrifted and new items styled together or screenshots of items you considered.
Step 5: I Leave Room to Adjust
One thing I’ve learned is that no space comes together perfectly all at once.
I leave room to:
- swap a rug
- move furniture
- change lighting
- adjust layout
Design is allowed to evolve. Giving yourself permission to adjust over time takes a lot of pressure off the process and usually leads to a space that feels more lived-in and personal.
You can shop this look here: https://creators.homedepot.com/mypage/hannahishome
How You Can Use This Process in Your Own Home
You don’t need special tools or a big budget to design a space you love.
You can start by:
- deciding how you want a room to feel
- saving inspiration intentionally
- pulling ideas together visually
- shopping slowly and thoughtfully
It works whether you’re renovating an entire room or just trying to make one space feel more like home.
If you’re in the middle of making decisions for your own home or you’re not sure where to start…I created a free planning guide that walks through this exact process step by step. You can use it for one room or keep it on hand for future projects.
[Get the free design planning guide]
If you’ve got a space in your home that’s been almost right but never quite worked then you’re in good company here. I’ll be sharing more as this room comes together. The decisions, the fixes, and what made the biggest difference along the way. You’re always welcome back.