Your “favorite” is more than a style preference, it’s a shortcut to better leads, cleaner scope, and projects that feel easier to run.
You know that moment when an inquiry comes in, and you can tell, within seconds, if it’s your kind of work. Not because the budget is huge or the photos are pretty, but because the home has something you love solving. Great bones. Real personality. Big light. A view that deserves to be framed.
That gut reaction is not random. It’s your business giving you a clue about what you should market, how you should qualify, and which client behaviors you should protect with policies.
The question of the day
On the Interior Design Community, we asked our Question of the Day: “WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF HOME TO DESIGN?”
Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSxqzKqEZ5r/
The answers are fun, but the pattern underneath them is what matters most. Your favorite type of home usually comes with a favorite type of client, and a favorite way of working.
Why your answer matters more than you think
A lot of designers hear “niche” and assume it means picking one style and staying there forever. In reality, most profitable niches are less about aesthetics and more about conditions.
- How decisions get made.
- How predictable the scope is.
- How much trust do you get?
- How much coordination does the home require?
- How much patience does the timeline require?
One designer said the quiet part out loud:
“The ones that let me do my job and pay on time!!!” @kristihopperdesigns
That’s not just funny, it’s a qualification framework. If you want more projects you actually enjoy, your marketing and intake should filter for the client behaviors that make your work possible.
Here’s the shift: your favorite home type is a clue, but your favorite working conditions are the map.
What we’re seeing in the responses (and what each one implies)
1) “Strong bones” designers want collaboration, not a theme battle
Some designers love homes where the architecture leads. They want to respond to what’s there, not force a vibe.
“For me it’s homes with strong bones and real personality, where u’re responding to the architecture and the people, not forcing a style, and the design grows naturally out of how the space is actually lived in.” @designgrowthhub
If this is you, your best projects usually share two traits. The client respects the architecture and your process.
What to do next if this is your lane
Add one question to every discovery call:
“Do you want the design to feel true to the architecture, or are you aiming for a totally different look than the home’s original style?”
You’re not judging their taste. You’re learning how much alignment, education, and reframing will be required.
Decision rule
If a client can’t name a single thing they love about their home as it exists today, expect friction. You may be signing up for a “make this house into a different house” project, and those require tighter scope control.
2) Historic-home lovers are really talking about stewardship
Older homes come with craftsmanship, quirks, and real opportunity. They also come with unknowns, and those unknowns can become expensive if they’re not discussed early.
“A historic home with lots of charming original architecture to play with! Victorian homes are especially amazing!” @spragueinteriors
If historic homes are your favorite, you’re not only selling aesthetics. You’re selling patience, sequencing, and investment in the unglamorous line items that protect the “pretty.”
How to set expectations without scaring people
Try a calm, confident “old house reality” message in your consult:
“Older homes are magic, and they can also surprise us. We plan for discovery, we prioritize the bones when needed, and we keep selections moving so you’re not making decisions under pressure later.”
If you want a neutral resource to share with clients about preservation and repair considerations, the National Park Service Preservation Briefs are a solid starting point: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1739/preservation-briefs.htm
Decision rule
If the client wants historic charm but also says, “I need this to be fast and inexpensive,” pause. That can still be a good project, but only if you define priorities, set a realistic sequence, and reach agreement on what to save versus replace.
3) Midcentury and indoor-outdoor fans are usually selling restraint
A lot of designers love midcentury and modern not because it’s “simple,” but because it demands editing. Fewer pieces, more intention. Clear lines. Everything earns its place.
“Midcentury modern, but anything with great indoor/outdoor connectivity, natural elements, and great use of every corner of every space. Nothing superfluous or unintentional.” @chadofall_chadillac
When “intentional” is your north star, the business implication is real. You need decisive clients, a tight revision process, and a presentation style that reduces options instead of multiplying them.
What to do next if this is your lane
Build limits into the way you present. Not because you’re controlling, but because you’re curating.
Try this structure:
- One recommended direction (your best answer)
- One alternate direction (only if it genuinely serves the brief)
- Clear reasons for each choice (not a shopping list of options)
Decision rule
If the client asks for five options for everything, modern might still be possible, but your process needs firmer boundaries. Without limits, “simple” becomes “endless.”
4) A home with a view is a framing problem (and a coordination problem)
When the view is the hero, the design becomes choreography. Layout, lighting, glare, window treatments, furniture scale, even where the eye lands when you walk in.
“I love to design a home with a view. Spanish Style is my fave… Ggem Design adds architectural charm & fine finishes to new builds and aids in stewardship remodels of homes that are loved.” @ggemdesign
Clients drawn to view homes and Spanish style often care about architectural romance and finish integrity. These projects can be dreamy, and they often require more coordination across trades, timelines, and procurement.
What to do next if this is your lane
Create a “view-first checkpoint” in concept design. Before you finalize furniture plans, confirm:
- Primary sightlines from key entry points
- Where the eye should rest
- What stays visually quiet so the view can stay loud
- How lighting behaves at night when the view disappears
That one checkpoint prevents expensive mid-project pivots later.
5) Contemporary-light lovers are really talking about scale and composition
High ceilings and giant windows are a dream, and they also expose weak planning fast. Small rugs look smaller. Lightweight furniture floats. Underscaled light fixtures feel like punctuation in the wrong font.
“I enjoy designing contemporary homes… high ceilings and large windows, allowing plenty of natural light. The colors appear crisp and vibrant, the artwork is showcased beautifully, and patterns and textures stand out effectively.” @sandraasdourianinteriors
If this is your lane, you’re not just selecting finishes. You’re composing a room at a larger visual volume, which often requires a clearer furnishing budget and a client who understands why foundational pieces matter.
How to talk budget and scale with confidence
“In bright, high-volume spaces, the foundational pieces do the heavy lifting. We’ll prioritize scale first, rugs, drapery, key upholstery, and lighting, so everything else has a structure to land on.”
Decision rule
If the client wants a dramatic, airy, gallery-like home but has a furnishing budget that only covers small-scale pieces, you’ll either need to reset expectations or phase the work intentionally.
Turn your favorite into a lead filter (without boxing yourself in)
You do not have to pick one forever. You do need to be clear enough that the right people can recognize you.
Think of your favorite home type as a filter with three layers:
- Architecture you love working with
- Lifestyle you love designing for
- Client behaviors that make the work enjoyable
When those three align, the project feels lighter. When they don’t, even a beautiful home can become a grind.
Practical steps you can implement this week
Step 1: Write your “favorite project sentence”
Keep it to one sentence you can reuse on your website, in captions, and in consult calls.
Examples you can customize:
- “I love designing historic and character-rich homes where we can honor original architecture and modernize function.”
- “My favorite projects are indoor-outdoor homes with an edited, intentional approach, fewer pieces, more impact.”
- “I love contemporary homes with big light and strong scale, where art, texture, and proportion take center stage.”
If you want an even tighter version, try:
“I design for clients who want [your outcome] in homes with [your home type].”
Step 2: Turn your favorite into three content themes
Your portfolio shows what you’ve done. Your content should explain what you care about.
Pick three themes that match your favorite home type:
- Architecture: how you respond to the bones
- Lifestyle: how the home is actually lived in
- Process: how decisions get made and why it works
Then rotate those themes weekly. This attracts aligned clients and gently repels the ones who want a different experience.
Three post prompts you can use this month
- “The detail I always protect in a [historic / contemporary / view] home is…”
- “If you want [edited modern / historic charm / indoor-outdoor], here’s what matters most in the planning phase…”
- “Three choices that make a room feel intentional, not decorated…”
Step 3: Add five intake questions that reveal fit early
These questions surface the real issues before you’re emotionally invested.
- “What do you love about your home right now?”
- “What needs to work better day to day?”
- “How do you like to make decisions, quickly, or with time to think?”
- “Who will be the final decision-maker?”
- “What’s your ideal level of involvement, hands-on, or trust and delegate?”
How to listen for the answer behind the answer
If they say they want to be “very involved,” ask what that looks like. Some clients mean weekly updates. Some mean approving every detail at 10 pm. Those are different projects, and they require different boundaries.
Step 4: Protect your favorite work with a few non-negotiables
You do not need a 40-page handbook to start. You need clarity in the areas that create the most stress.
Start with three:
- Payment expectations (timing, what happens if late)
- Decision expectations (who decides, by when)
- Revision expectations (how many rounds, what counts as a new direction)
Tie each policy back to service, not control.
Example language
“To protect your timeline and keep vendors moving, invoices are due on receipt. When payments stay current, we can hold install dates and keep your project on track.”
Step 5: Create a simple “dream client checklist” for yes/no decisions
Before you say yes to a project that looks like your dream home type, run it through a quick alignment check.
You’re aiming for aligned enough, not perfect.
- They want you to lead and they trust expertise.
- Communication is clear and respectful.
- Decisions can be made without constant spirals.
- Timeline and lead times are treated as real constraints.
- Payment is consistent and on time.
- They value craftsmanship, not just quick fixes.
- They see you as a professional partner, not an on-call shopper.
If you’re missing several of these, that’s a warning sign. Even your favorite architecture can turn into your least favorite project.
Step 6: Make referrals send you more of your favorite projects
Happy clients want to refer you. They often don’t know how to describe fit.
Give them the words.
Two lines you can send after install
“If you have a friend who values thoughtful design, respects timelines, and wants a collaborative process, I’d love an introduction.”
“The best way to refer me is to tell them what it felt like to work together, not just that you love the finished space.”
This is how your favorite home types start showing up more often, because the right people tend to know the right people.
Copy-and-paste scripts
Inquiry response script (sets tone and filters)
“Thanks so much for reaching out. I’d love to learn more about your home and what success looks like for you. My favorite projects are homes with [your home type], where we can focus on [your value, like honoring the architecture or designing around natural light].
Before we schedule a call, a few quick questions help ensure we’re a great fit: Who will be the primary decision-maker, what timeline are you working with, and which rooms are included? Once I have that, I’ll recommend the best next step.”
Discovery call positioning script
“My favorite projects are homes with [your home type], because I love [your value, like stewardship, editing, or scale]. I’m the best fit for clients who want a clear process, timely decisions, and a collaborative working rhythm.”
Expectation script for edited, modern projects
“To keep the design intentional and avoid overwhelm, we work with a defined number of options and defined rounds of refinement. That structure is how we get to simple and right, without dragging the project out.”
Expectation script for older homes
“Older homes are full of character, and they can reveal surprises. We plan for discovery, we prioritize the bones when needed, and we keep a steady decision pace so the project doesn’t stall.”
FAQ
Do I have to pick one favorite type of home to design?
No. You can have two or three lanes. The goal is clarity, not confinement. If your portfolio has range, pick a primary marketing lane and let your secondary lanes show up as “also a fit.”
What if I’m early in business and can’t be picky?
You can still be intentional. Take what you need, then build one boundary at a time. Raise your minimum when you can, tighten scope options, and require a discovery call before proposals.
What if my favorite home type is rare in my area?
Talk about the underlying value instead of the label. “Historic homes” can become “character-rich homes.” “Modern” can become “edited, light-forward interiors.” Show how that value applies across different architectures.
Wraping Up
Your favorite type of home to design is not a trivial preference. It’s a business signal.
If you want more projects that feel like a fit, use your answer to shape what you show, what you ask, and what you require. Then watch what happens to your leads, your calendar, and your creative energy.
What’s your favorite type of home to design right now, and what’s the client behavior that makes that home type a joy to work on?