The Myth of the “Forever Home”
The idea of a “forever home” sounds great in theory. Find a nice house, design it once then ever touch it again.
But in real life, (unfortunately) it rarely works like that.
Most homes aren’t meant to stay exactly the same forever, because life doesn’t stay the same forever. Your routines shift, families grow, kids get bigger, priorities change and before you know it that forever home now feels completely grown out of. And if we’re being honest, the idea of planning out your entire life sounds lovely in theory, but I’m pretty sure 99% of you reading this are quietly giggling at your old plans, realising that yeah… half of that didn’t happen.
Yes, I preach timelessness and design that lasts, but that’s because I try to take as much real life into account as possible from the start. When a home is designed thoughtfully, future changes feel easier and more natural, not like you’re undoing everything you’ve already invested in.
Designing With Flexibility in Mind
When I design spaces, I’m not psychic, it would be impossible to predict the next twenty years in perfect detail. I’m thinking about flexibility. Layouts that can adapt, materials that age well and rooms that can shift purpose over time.
A playroom doesn’t need to be a playroom forever. Unless a client specifically asks otherwise, I always think ahead. Hardware choices, for example, should still make sense even if a room evolves into something completely different down the line.
This is also why materials matter so much. Natural stone that patinas instead of looking tired. Fabrics that can handle real life. Wear and tear is going to happen, and it should! You’re not really living if you’re tiptoeing around your own house. The goal is choosing materials that age gracefully and storage that evolves with you, instead of becoming the room you shut the door on.
So Maybe It’s Not About a “Forever Home” After All
I think where the idea of a forever home goes wrong is that it puts pressure on design to do something life itself can’t do. Stay the same.
Good design isn’t about freezing a moment in time. We have to create a foundation that supports change without feeling chaotic or wasteful. That’s why I care so much about thoughtful layouts, considered materials, and details that make sense beyond one phase of life.
A well-designed home shouldn’t feel like something you outgrow. It should feel like something that grows with you.
That’s the difference between chasing the idea of a forever home and designing a home properly in the first place.
So if the idea of designing your “forever home” feels overwhelming, let it go. Focus instead on designing a home that works for your life now, with enough intention behind it that the next chapter doesn’t feel like a complete reset.
That’s what timeless design actually looks like.
Not stuck. Not precious. Just considered.
And that’s how you build a home that lasts, even when life doesn’t stand still.
If the idea of a “forever home” has been holding you back, this is your sign. Thoughtful design makes change easier, not harder. I’m always happy to guide you through the process.
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