While it may seem like an optional step, including an interior designer at the beginning of a new home build or major renovation can make a big difference in your final results. There’s so much more to interior design than just picking colors and accessories. A full-service interior designer provides a comprehensive approach to space planning, budgeting, and incorporating your unique needs and vision, so that the finished project is a true reflection of your personality.
Not involving a designer at the very beginning of the project comes with some big risks. To avoid getting stuck in a situation you don’t want, there are some important benefits to keep in mind when it comes to having your designer’s perspective from square one.
Dream Team Captains
One of the first steps of a home build or renovation is a kickoff meeting, in which the homeowner, builder, architect and interior designer get together to discuss goals, expectations and any constraints. For instance, if you’re looking to sell the home after a few years, the designer may recommend different investments than if this were your forever home. The full team should walk away from the kickoff meeting with an understanding of the motivations behind the build or renovation in order to tailor the plan accordingly and focus on elements that will provide the best return on investment, both financially and emotionally.
Aside from the logistics, the kickoff meeting helps everyone involved get to know each other a bit better. Building a relationship early on makes for smoother communication and ensures everyone is on the same page throughout the project. After the initial design phase is complete, there’s typically a follow-up meeting to review the designs, go through the schedule, and make sure you understand and agree with every step before moving forward.
More than just an artist, a full-service interior designer also serves as an informal project manager throughout the entire process. They’ll set up crucial checkpoints to keep the project on track. Miscommunication can happen easily if no one is overseeing the process; interior designers often bridge that gap by making sure everyone stays aligned on goals, timeline and budget. Without that oversight, the risk of things going off course increases significantly, which can lead to delays or problems that only become apparent once it’s too late to easily fix.
Money Matters
One of the major challenges homeowners face if they don’t involve a designer from the start is what’s called “cost creep.” Without the designer on board at the very beginning, the full scope of the project may not be clear — which means your build or renovation can quickly balloon into something more complex and expensive than you originally planned.
A good interior designer can define the boundaries of a project early on, make sure everyone’s in agreement, and then set a realistic budget. They’re trained to understand costs associated with various design elements, which helps you to avoid surprises that can come up with a more piecemeal approach to decision-making.
Beyond that, a full-service interior designer also helps you to prioritize spending so that you get the most out of your budget without sacrificing your dream home. While some people may think that hiring a designer is expensive, the return on your investment actually ends up saving you money by directing your spending toward what matters most (and avoiding that aforementioned cost creep). Designers know where splurging will give you the most value, and where you can afford to cut back without sacrificing the overall aesthetic or functionality.
Time is often an even more critical factor than money, although when it comes to building or renovating, sometimes those two things go hand-in-hand. A full-service interior designer keeps the project running smoothly, handling the day-to-day coordination with builders, contractors and other professionals. By keeping the moving parts in check, they reduce delays and prevent miscommunication, which can lead to costly rework or extended timelines.
A Proactive, Cohesive Approach
Having an interior designer at the very beginning helps with space planning as well. When the footprint of the house or the rooms is drawn out without a designer’s input, you may later realize that the layout doesn’t work with the furniture or flow you envisioned. That could mean wasted space that doesn’t give you a good return on your investment, especially if the build is based on a generic plan.
With a designer in on the conversation early, they can help guide the floorplan with the architect and builder. The designer considers how each room will be used and furnished before the walls go up, making sure that the space functions well for your needs. For example, let’s say you have a designer come in at the end of the process, and you fall in love with a furniture set, but the pieces don’t fit in any of the current layouts. Re-designing a room to fit your preferred furnishings means more work for the architect and builder, which means more cost to you. By integrating the furniture plan into the architectural design from the get-go, you maximize both function and value.
When design decisions are made ad hoc -- without a designer to guide you -- you might end up with a home that feels a bit disjointed. Each room might look great on its own, but all together, it can lack flow and organization. Interior designers help maintain the long-term vision throughout every step of the build or renovation process, ensuring that each decision aligns with the overall design concept. They act as a sort of “art director” for your home, keeping everything on track and helping all parties see how each part of the project fits within the bigger picture. This foresight is invaluable, especially when it comes to creating a home that not only looks beautiful, but also functions well for years to come.
Looking to renovate or build your home? Talk with Laura Gills, full-service interior designer, about your plans from the start.