Design with Hannah: Designing a Home That Grows With Your Family
- Hannah Leigh
- May 28
- 3 min read
You Don’t Need a Bigger House—You Just Need a Better Layout
Alright, listen up—this one’s for all my fellow parents, clutter warriors, and folks who feel like they’re drowning in stuff. I’ve heard it more times than I can count:
"We need a bigger house.” "There’s no room for anything.” “Where in the world am I supposed to put my Instant Pot, air fryer, and 47 snack bins for the kids?”
Friend, I’m here to tell you the truth: You probably don’t need more square footage—you just need to stop letting your layout bully you.
Let me break it down.
Start With the Heart (aka Your Kitchen)
Let’s circle back to the chaos: the kitchen. Kitchens are supposed to be where you gather, cook, and sneak cookies while your kids aren’t looking. But instead, for a lot of families, it’s become the most stressful room in the house.
Most outdated kitchens are just… rude. I said what I said. Cabinets that don’t reach the ceiling (hellooo wasted vertical space), drawers that can’t even hold a full set of utensils, and pantry shelves that were clearly designed by someone who never bought a Costco-sized snack pack in their life. And don’t even get me started on the “where the heck does the air fryer go?” dilemma.
Here’s the solution: Renovate. That. Kitchen.
Yes, it’s a big investment. Yes, it’s overwhelming. But hear me out—it doesn’t have to break you, and if done smart, it will change everything. We’re talking rethinking the layout so it actually makes sense. Adding custom cabinetry for real storage. Making space for ALL your modern-day appliances so they’re not chilling on your countertop like unwanted guests.
Don’t stop there—add a proper pantry, label your containers like the aesthetic Pinterest mom you dream of being, and suddenly… your kitchen becomes functional and fabulous!
Let’s Talk Living + Dining
Moving on to the living room . . .
“There’s nowhere to sit.” “We can’t host guests.” “The couch is too big, but somehow still not big enough?”
Say less. I got you.
First step? Dual-purpose furniture. If your sofa’s the only seat in the room, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Add accent chairs. Throw in a couple of poufs or a sleek bench. These pieces are cute and add extra seating without eating up the whole room. Trust me—your guests (and your back) will thank you.
Dining room struggles? Try a round extension table. Game-changer. Round tables are naturally better for small spaces, but when they expand? Whew. You can go from casual Tuesday-night dinner to Sunday brunch real quick. And when the guests leave? Shrink it back down and enjoy the extra breathing room!
Declutter Like You Mean It
Now before you roll your eyes at me, I have to say it: decluttering isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a lifestyle. If you’ve got stuff in your home that doesn’t serve you, doesn’t spark joy—get. it. out.
And look—I know decluttering can be really overwhelming. It’s emotional. It’s exhausting. That’s why people like me exist. If you’re feeling like your space is running you instead of the other way around, it might be time to call in reinforcements.
Hire an interior designer (hey, I know one!) to help you reimagine your space, edit what you don’t need, and finally make your home feel like the calm, cozy, well-organized sanctuary it should be.
Final Word
I know the temptation is to pack up and move. But most of the time? You already have everything you need—you just haven’t used it to its full potential yet.
So take a deep breath, start with the layout, and watch the magic unfold. And if you’re feeling stuck, I’m one discovery call away from helping you turn your chaos into calm.
'Til next time, Hannah <3
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