Our Architecture Team Answers: The 5 Most Common Design Regrets — and How to Avoid Them

Our Architecture Team Answers: The 5 Most Common Design Regrets — and How to Avoid Them

We’ve all been there. You move into a new home, live in it for a few months, and then think, “Why didn’t we add that outlet?” or “This space looked great on paper, but we never use it.”

At Homes by Westgate, part of our job is helping clients avoid those “if only…” moments — before they happen.

We asked our architecture and design team: What are the most common design regrets you hear (from both clients and friends)? Here are the top five — and how we help prevent them.

1. “I wish we’d added more storage.”

You can never have too much of it — but you can have too little. Storage tends to get trimmed when square footage gets tight, but thoughtful built-ins and hidden solutions can make all the difference. Think: mudroom cubbies, window seat drawers, pantry pull-outs.

Our tip: We help you walk through your day-to-day lifestyle and plan for seasonal, daily, and emergency storage needs from the start.

2. “This room just doesn’t get used.”

That formal dining room might sound elegant, but if you host twice a year and eat at the island every night, is it worth the real estate?

Our tip: We encourage clients to build around their real habits, not just aspirational ones. Rooms can serve multiple purposes — an office/guest room, a gym/rec space — with the right planning.

3. “We didn’t think enough about lighting.”

Lighting is more than just fixtures — it’s how a space feels. Poorly lit rooms can feel flat or disconnected, and outlets in the wrong spots can limit your layout options.

Our tip: We layer lighting into the design process early: natural light, ambient, task, and accent. We also walk you through lighting control plans and fixture placement during the design review.

4. “I wish the kitchen was just a bit bigger.”

The kitchen is the heart of the home — and it always becomes the gathering zone. Clients sometimes scale back here to prioritize other areas, but that can lead to regret when the space doesn’t function as a true hub.

Our tip: We prioritize kitchen flow and function early — from storage to seating to appliance zones — and balance aesthetics with day-to-day utility.

5. “It doesn’t feel like us.”

Sometimes a home looks beautiful, but it doesn’t reflect the people who live there. That can happen when the design gets too trend-driven, or when clients don’t feel empowered to speak up during the process.

Our tip: We start every project by listening. Our goal is to reflect you, not just our portfolio. Your lifestyle, values, and story guide every design decision.

Let’s Get It Right the First Time

Designing a custom home should be exciting — not filled with second-guessing. With the right team (hi, that’s us 👋), and a deeply personalized process, we help you move in with zero regrets.

Ready to start planning your forever home? Let’s make sure it feels right from day one.