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A House Beautiful report identifies eight qualities interior designers say help them succeed: appreciation of everyday beauty, curiosity, a defined but flexible style, and the ability to see how a room’s elements work together, among others. The experts describe professional observations, not a formal test for design aptitude or proof that someone should pursue the career.
House Beautiful has published a report identifying eight traits that interior designers say help them create effective spaces, including curiosity, empathy and practical problem-solving. The interviews frame design ability as more than good taste: professionals also need to listen to clients, stay organized and adapt when projects run into obstacles.
The report draws on interviews with designers including Neal Beckstedt, founder of Neal Beckstedt Studio, and Cheryl Luckett, founder of Dwell by Cheryl. Beckstedt describes a profession that calls for qualities that can seem to pull in different directions: creativity alongside practicality, free thinking alongside organization, and attentive listening alongside having a point of view. He says designers must manage deadlines, budgets, contractors, clients and unexpected issues.
The eight traits described in the report are appreciation of everyday beauty, natural curiosity, a defined sense of style, the ability to see how design elements work together, problem-solving, strong gut instincts, empathy and good communication. The source material discusses the first seven in detail, but its supplied text ends partway through the section on communication; it does not include a complete explanation or expert quotation for that trait.
Several designers emphasize that these qualities develop through attention and practice. Linda Hayslett says curious designers notice how spaces feel and function, while Michelle Gage recommends visiting museums, home shops and new places rather than relying only on social media. Luckett says a personal style can guide decisions without becoming rigid, and Sarah Lederman stresses adapting to the different outcomes clients want.
Design Skill Goes Beyond Taste
The report offers readers a broader account of what design work involves: aesthetic judgment is only one part of the job. A designer may need to understand scale, proportion and flow, translate a client’s preferences into practical choices, and respond when a product, layout or budget changes. These demands help explain why professionals describe listening and organization as design skills, not just business extras.
For readers interested in their own homes, the traits provide a practical way to think about design without treating it as a mysterious gift. Noticing what makes a room comfortable, asking questions about how it will be used and staying open to alternatives can inform everyday decisions. The article does not establish that having these traits makes someone a professional designer or guarantees successful results.
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How Designers Describe Their Work
The report begins by challenging the assumption that success in interior design rests mainly on impeccable taste. Beckstedt says designers balance creative judgment with practical constraints, while other interviewees describe the importance of understanding how people live and what they want from a space.
Luckett connects a sense of style with confidence and cohesion, but cautions against treating it as a fixed look. Hayslett and Lederman describe projects as requiring flexibility: layouts, sourcing and budgets can present problems, and clients may have different goals. The article therefore presents design as a combination of visual judgment, client service and adaptation, rather than a checklist of decorating preferences.
“Creative yet practical, free-thinking yet organized, and being a great listener yet opinionated are my top three must-haves.”
— Neal Beckstedt, founder of Neal Beckstedt Studio
What the Report Does Not Establish
The source presents expert opinions from interviews, not results from a survey, experiment or formal assessment. It does not say how common the traits are among working designers, whether they predict career success, or how readers could measure their own aptitude. The headline’s suggestion that readers may “think like” designers is an editorial framing, not a validated diagnosis.
The provided source text also cuts off during the communication section. While communication is named as one of the eight traits, the material supplied here does not provide the full discussion or supporting comments for that section. It also does not specify the report’s publication date.
Applying the Ideas at Home
The report offers no announced follow-up study or next milestone. For readers, the practical next step suggested by the designers is to observe spaces more closely, seek inspiration beyond a screen and consider how a room must function as well as look. Gage points to museums, home shops, travel, magazines and books as ways to broaden what a person sees.
Anyone considering a design project can also use the interviewees’ advice to clarify priorities: how the room will be used, what the client likes, and which constraints—such as budget or layout—must shape decisions. The experts’ comments support those as useful habits, but they do not substitute for professional training or establish a route into the industry.
Key Questions
What are the eight traits named in the report?
The report lists appreciation of everyday beauty, curiosity, a defined sense of style, an understanding of how design elements work together, problem-solving, gut instincts, empathy and communication.
Does having these traits mean someone is an interior designer?
No. The report shares designers’ views about qualities that can help in the profession; it does not offer a test, certification or proof that these traits alone qualify someone to work as a designer.
How can someone develop a stronger design eye?
Michelle Gage recommends experiencing more design in person, including museums and home shops, and exploring places beyond one’s usual surroundings. She also suggests magazines and books as options; she cautions that social media alone may not provide the same range of experience.
Why do designers need empathy and communication skills?
The interviewees say designers work toward clients’ individual needs and outcomes. Phil Norman highlights listening for both stated and unstated preferences, while Sarah Lederman says being open to different approaches can help serve clients.
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