Honestly use you imagination . FUnction is what is designed for how you liive not some people in a posed picture. You decide function for you so not sure exactly what you want . It would have to be a movie to see how a space functions. If you are designing a space and have issues with function what you need is a good designer and a long disussion of what you want .

If we just have to use our imaginations, why have any photos, any stories or any descriptions at all? How hard is it, in this day and age, to have a simple video accompanying the story, with people using the space? I want to see how it works, not just how it looks in a museum-like setting. If someone is asking us to trust their design skills, they should be thrilled to show the usage, not just the static images.

My cabinet designer only has the capacity to do a 2-D kitchen floor plan and elevations. He can do CAD drawings, but apparently that is after all the design work is done. Or so he said. His place should offer 3D for the price point I am at.

I just went and purchased a subscription to Chief Architect and drew all the walls into the software program and dropped in the cabinets myself. Not that big of a deal, and totally worth every penny ($200 a month). Now I can see 3-D design. Makes a big difference. I imagine there are places (not mine of course) that have the 3-D capability while you are designing. Big plus. There are free software products too (I played around with those), but not nearly as good (they hold something back so you pay for the subscription). Chief Architect also offers virtual reality ability (my son has the virtual reality googles that I could borrow), although I haven't tried to figure that out yet. The 3D seems pretty good to me, so I didn't try to see virtual reality.

I can do "what if" things to my heart's content. I can also make the design tradeoffs how I would prefer they be decided (that is, if I give up this, then I can get that). I am not the type who just leaves it to the decorator/designer. The decorator/designer may be 100% correct, but I need to see the alternatives to agree that yes, they were right. In my case, I was the one who figured out how to make exactly what I wanted happen. I'm the one who will live there, and I am the one who really, really cares how it all shakes out. No one else will have that same level of commitment, nor will anyone else have the same exact taste as you.

I think a great start would be to have the finished spaces (after the construction or remodeling) photographed or recorded with real people using them. Show us the person getting out the item on the top shelf of that "Cabinet to the ceiling." Show us the family eating chili on that stark white stone island or table. Show us someone cooking while the TV blasts in the "open concept" living area. Show us someone cleaning the two-story atrium with the massive windows. Let us see not only how the design LOOKS but how it WORKS.

Perhaps you have not considered either the technical issues in “ recording “ such demonstrations nor the privacy issues. I expect it’s not that easy to get proper lighting and camera angles & of course is a multi- person job.

Then honestly I agree it’s not fully accurate to translate a video to how you would experience things. Note how many times someone says, “ 40” aisle is fine for us “,vs. “ we did 48” aisle and would not want less.” Or, reaching/ stretching “ height, mobility.
And hosts if issues of hoe different people have completely different ideas and tolerances for taking more steps, what storage they need, what is their garbage/ recycling/ composting plan.

But I do agree with you that trying to actually “experience “ design results, rather than just looking at the drawings, can be very important. That’s why you’ll see advice to set out arrangements of big boxes or stand- in pieces of furniture in order to get some idea of how a layout works, or mark off floor with tape.

Also in your own home you can pay more attention to “ time and motion” issues. You can note how you do and don’t like to reach, bend, pivot. You can sturdy existing closets, shelving for functionality & take measurements . You can do this at the grocery store, or sometimes show- room kitchens.

I think photos and layouts ( magazines, Youtube HOUZZ ) can be useful if studied carefully and not just be wowed by the photography lighting and superficial finishes. I see lots of photos where I go, are you kidding me ? You gutted the kitchen and THAT’S where you put the ( stove, frig, whatever).

I think I'm looking at this as a "do it yourself" video, with someone holding up a cell phone and recording the family members living with the space. We all love the cooking shows or cleaning shows where someone works in a certain area and can pull out that drawer or appliance easily. It makes me want to remodel more if I can see people able to handle the daily tasks more smoothly because of functional designs and products. Let me see them using that pull-out pantry or that special faucet. Show me the dishwasher getting loaded, or the table getting set or cleared. Show me the laundry being done in that cool laundry room. For Houzz, it would literally be incredibly easy. There are a ton of "how to clean your house" or "how to cook this dish" videos, so you could combine the elements of the static "reveal" photos with videos of "Here's how it works in real life." It also adds to engagement with the audience, and encourages people to chime in, which gives the posting service valuable feedback.

I suppose you could also have yourself video’d in your own kitchen, showing the things that work well— maybe a great window view or you’ve got a sink you live or whatever ) and the things you’d like to change and why ( too tight, can’t reach, need more prep space).

Because many of the things that DON’T work that well are still showing up in designs that are posted— hence all the critiques— so it’s just 2 sides of the same coin. “ Existing “ kitchens have many lessons to give, same as updated ones. Usually these are outlined as floorplans, photos. But they could be video’d ( except for some of the caveats I noted, plus maybe others.) So maybe you could lead the way!

Most of the time, a room in use is a bit messy. Right now we are watching football and husband is sprawled on the sofa with a blanket trailing on the ground and the dog is sleeping half under the coffee table. His wallet is on the console under the tv and there are a couple soda cans sitting on the coffee table. Why would I take a picture and post it? We’ll put things away and straighten up when the game is over. Oh touchdown!!!

Dog is no longer asleep.🙂