Advertise on podcast: Design Your Home

You can spend $50,000 on a kitchen and still walk in feeling like something isn't right. The “expensive” look is rarely about the price tag. It’s about whether the details feel coordinated, complete, and intentional. In this episode, I share the four most common design mistakes that make a kitchen look cheap, and what you can do instead.  Key Takeways: Mismatched metals and low-quality fixtures that visually fight each otherChoosing finishes with intention so the kitchen feels coordinatedBacksplash layouts that stop short and create an unfinished lookRemoving the countertop mini backsplash strip before tilingSkipping under cabinet lighting and the value of layered lightingUsing dimmers to avoid harsh “bright as the sun” lightingHow to spot cheap cabinetry by sound, gaps, glides, and box materialWhy MDF and particle board can fail under real-life wear You're invited to my FREE live training where I'll be redesigning a real kitchen live AND sharing 3 hidden mistakes to avoid when remodeling your kitchen. It's Thursday, August 6, at 4pm PT. And if you can't make it, I'll send you a replay so you don't miss it.  You can save your spot here Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

I break down the three decisions that determine whether your first conversation with a kitchen contractor stays clear or spirals into confusion and change orders. I explain why contractors build the plan but usually do not design it, and how getting prepared first keeps your remodel on track. • Why a contractor executes your plan rather than creates it • Decision one setting a real budget number you can say out loud • How vague budgets lead to blind bids and missed scope items • Decision two separating needs from wants to protect function • Using specific choices like lighting and flooring to define scope • Decision three setting a realistic timeline and aligning expectations • Why TV remodel timelines mislead and flexibility still matters I'm hosting a free live training to help you plan and design your kitchen remodel.  The Kitchen Mistakes You Won't See Coming (Even With Great Taste)  Plus...watch me redesign a real, audience-submitted kitchen live. Go ahead and save your spot in that live training,  https:/nestorations.mykajabi.com/kitchenwebinar Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Episode 88 If you're already picking out tile and pricing countertops, some part of you has already decided you're designing this kitchen yourself, and hiring out the rest. The real question isn't whether you can, it's whether you're about to do it the hard way or the smart way, and today I'm going to help you figure out which one you're headed for  Designing your own kitchen is completely doable, but the real choice is whether we do it alone or follow a plan that keeps decisions, budget, and timing under control. We lay out what DIY kitchen design really demands day to day, then share the signs you’re set up for the smart path instead of the stressful one. • The real workload behind a DIY kitchen remodel, from selections to contractor coordination • Why decision fatigue shows up fast in kitchens and how to spot it early • The smart setup signs, including a firm budget, clear style, and high-end custom goals • The hard-path red flags, including overwhelm, no budget, and not knowing decision order • How a guided process changes the day-to-day experience without taking away ownership • The two buckets of a kitchen remodel: design and construction, and how DIY applies to both Download my free kitchen planning guide to discover the first 3 decisions you need to make for your kitchen remodel. Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

In this episode we break down the five process mistakes that quietly push kitchen remodel costs higher after you think your budget is set. We share the questions we ask before demo day so you can plan for surprises, protect your timeline, and stop “one more upgrade” from snowballing. • Electrical and plumbing code surprises hidden behind walls • Setting a realistic 15% to 20% contingency cushion • Structural problems like load-bearing walls and rotted subfloor • Permit fees plus inspection delays that extend timelines • The real-life cost of living without a kitchen • Scope creep and “while we’re here” upgrades that stack up fast • Deciding whether an add-on is a want or a need Download my FREE Kitchen Planning Guide here Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Discover six quiet signs your kitchen is ready for a remodel and why “not yet” keeps winning even when you’re frustrated every day. We get honest about the real blocker, the fear of spending money you can’t get back, and the simple first step that makes progress feel possible. • Tuning out dated or broken cabinets and finishes as a hidden signal  • Living with daily layout frustration by building workarounds instead of fixing the cause  • Feeling envy when seeing finished kitchens and using it as useful feedback  • Researching privately through Pinterest boards, pricing, and showroom visits  • Naming the real fear underneath design choices as financial risk and irreversible mistakes  • Recognizing “someday” as protection and noticing the daily cost of staying stuck  So, what I want you to do is download my free kitchen planning guide, which walks you through the first three decisions you need to make with your kitchen remodel.  Download my FREE Kitchen Planning Guide and get the first 3 decisions you need to make with your kitchen remodel Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep85: Trends change whether we like it or not. And while your home doesn’t need to be trendy, it also shouldn’t feel stuck in a time warp. The truth is, some design choices that once felt fresh and stylish are now quietly dating your home. So, is your home stylish…or secretly stuck in the past? Today we’re breaking down the dead giveaways that make a house look dated—and what you can do to fix them. Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep84: Wallpaper is everywhere these days, and maybe you’re thinking about trying it in your home. But before you do, there are some things to consider and some must-know mistakes to avoid. So keep listening to help you discover how to wallpaper without regrets. Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep83: If your home is on the darker side and you’re ready to lighten things up without gutting your space or painting everything bright white then this episode is for you. In darker spaces, if you’re not going for the dark and moody vibe, it can feel heavy and bring you down. So let’s dive into some design strategies to brighten your home and boost your mood. Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep82: Are you feeling overwhelmed with your home’s design because you like a little bit of everything? Welcome to the club! It’s so easy (and common) to like things in different design styles. But when you like everything, it gets hard to make decisions and know what direction to go. This episode is meant to help you get you out of design limbo and into action with your home. Are you ready to get started? Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep81: Something about your room just feels… off. You’ve tried adding décor, swapping pillows, maybe even moving the furniture around—but it still doesn’t feel right. There’s one design essential that every great space has, and without it, a room can fall flat. That’s what we’re diving into today—and once you get this right, it changes everything about how your space looks and feels. Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep80: When it comes to furnishing your home, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and wonder if everything has to match or if you should mix things up.  AND if you should mix things up, how do you do it so it doesn’t look like a hodgepodge of random furniture.   I recommend mixing furniture because it makes your home feel more personal, more layered, and NOT like you bought the whole store display.  But there are some simple guidelines to do it right.  In Part 3 of my 3-part furniture series, I’m walking you through what to mix, what to match, and the must-know tips that will help you pull your space together without second-guessing every piece. Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep79: Welcome to Part 2 of my 3-part furniture series. Today, we’re diving into the ultimate living room debate: Sectional vs. Sofa. If you’ve ever wondered which one is better—or why making this decision feels weirdly high-stakes—you’re not alone. I’ll walk you through the pros, cons, design considerations, and some surprising things that might sway your decision one way or the other. Whether you're team sectional or team sofa, this episode will help you choose with confidence. Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep78: Have you ever walked into a furniture store or spent hours scrolling online, only to feel completely overwhelmed? Maybe you found something you loved, but then the price gave you sticker shock. Or worse—you finally made a decision, waited weeks (or months!) for delivery, and when it arrived… it didn’t fit, didn’t match, or just wasn’t what you expected. If any of that sounds familiar, you are NOT alone. Buying furniture is one of the most frustrating parts of designing a home. With so many choices, it’s easy to feel stuck—or make mistakes that cost you time and money. In today’s episode, which is part 1 of a 3-part series, we’re breaking down exactly why furniture shopping feels so overwhelming and the biggest mistakes you might be guilty of making. But here’s the good news: When you know what to look for, furniture shopping gets SO much easier.  Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep77: Ever walk into a brand-new home and think, “Wow... this is great, but it feels kind of...well... blah and generic?” If yes, you're not alone. Builder-grade homes are made to appeal to as many people as possible—neutral colors, standard finishes, and safe design choices. Which is fine… until you’re the one living in it and realizing it doesn’t feel like you at all. If you’ve ever moved into a home and thought, “How do I make this feel warm, lived-in, and like me?”—this episode is for you. Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website

Ep76: Have you ever stared at a wall of paint swatches, feeling completely overwhelmed? Or have you ever painted a room, stepped back, and thought, “Wait… why does this look completely different than I expected?” Maybe it’s too dark, too washed out, or—somehow—looks purple when it’s supposed to be gray. If yes, know that you’re not alone. Choosing a paint color is one of the hardest decisions in home design. And I get it—what looks perfect in the store suddenly looks awful on your walls. Today, we’re breaking down why choosing paint is so tricky and how to make sure you get it right the first time. Design is better with friends... Let's Connect on InstagramGet Inspired on PinterestHead to the Nestorations website