The Cost of Bad Design

“If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design.” – Dr. Ralph Speth

I’ve posted this quote a few times now on my social media platforms, and it always gets so much attention. So I figured, let’s start the new year off by diving into this one, because Dr. Speth is spouting some serious 2024 energy.

Simply put: you get what you pay for. And bad design is costly, not just financially, but doing and redoing takes a mental toll as well. Trust me, as someone who’s been burned by bad design, I’ve made it my mission to ensure that when you’re working with LKD, you’re investment is one you can trust. We are leaving settling for mediocrity in 2023, got it?

What exactly do I mean by bad design? Bad design will need to be redone. Again. And again. Bad design can be sneaky, disguising itself behind clever branding and well curated social media posts. Bad design often isn’t inherently malicious though; well intentioned, inexperienced designers focused on current trends can create a space that looks great on paper. But good design is timeless. Good design is functional. And, perhaps most importantly, good design is custom. 

We can copy and paste IKEA show rooms into our dorm rooms, our first apartments, even our first homes. Hey, we’ve all been on a budget, we’ve all had to have that talk with our partners about the importance of bed frames. 

Right?

Right?

But as we mature, we elevate, we invest, we date people with furnished bedrooms. 

And honestly, I’m not above finding a build-it-yourself piece occasionally if it’ll help you stick to your budget. The biggest issue here, quality aside, bad design isn’t customized to fit your space, or your lifestyle. 

Then what, you may wonder, is good design?

Good design increases your property value. Good design considers your mental and emotional well-being. It takes advantage of opportunity for natural light to cascade through your kitchen while you make your morning coffee. It incorporates a wood-burning fireplace to sit around with your family and toast marshmallows. It efficiently creates small storage solutions to keep things like marshmallow roasting prongs you only end up using twice a year because they’re a pain in the butt to clean and who really enjoys marshmallows all that much anyway. It invites and intrigues your guests, and even has enough room to hang up all of their winter jackets, provided you remember to buy a few more hangers prior to their arrival. Good design incorporates your mother’s vintage vanity into your bedroom, providing a serene place to do your hair each morning. Good design works for you, and your beautiful, chaotic, extraordinary life. 

When making your decision to design (or re-design) your space, the modern impulse of instant gratification may tempt you to cut a corner or two. Your home is your safe haven, and deserves to be treated as such. You and your family deserve a space that supports you, and encourages connection, peace, and joyful hosting. 

While I simplified Dr. Speth’s quote earlier as “you get what you pay for,” an investment in good design cannot be simplified as such. Finding a designer who understands you and the needs of your space is imperative to creating longterm satisfaction within it. LKD takes the time and care required to keep you safe from bad design and honours your investment in your space.

…So you and your spouse never ever have to try to build a MALM bed frame together again.