5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Interior Designer Does for You
When you see beautifully designed homes in Architectural Digest or House Beautiful magazine, you probably know that an interior designer was involved. But how involved were they? Did they just select the furnishings and fluff the pillows, or did they select every material in the home? Was the designer only involved at the design phase, before the builder or GC took over, or did they stick around for the whole project?
These are common questions that most people don’t have a clear answer to. Unless someone has worked with a designer before, their knowledge likely comes from reality shows, where we see little to nothing about the interior designer’s role… and oh, what a role it is.
Interior designers are crucial to the success of a new build or renovation — and that role goes far beyond simply picking materials that look good together. Today, I’m sharing just how much an interior designer does for you, from start to happily ever after in your new home.
1. A Level of Detail You Didn’t Know Existed
Interior design is like a perfectly orchestrated symphony. Remove a single note, and it’s obvious something is missing. Add the wrong one, and it feels jarringly out of place. You also have to make sure the musicians play well together, the timing needs precision, and the communication must be flawless. (Imagine no conductor… or two conductors. Not good.)
Done well, the result is a composition that rises above its individual components, transporting listeners through memories, emotions, and aspirations. The same is true of interior design.
Details are everything, and not just their selection, but their execution, too. It’s not just about specifying a tile and the right size — it’s the material, it’s the finish, it’s the shade of the hue, it’s the layout, it’s the grout color, it’s the thickness of grout, it’s the pattern, and the transitions from material to material, room to room. It’s how the materials stand on their own and go with everything else in the room. And so on.
At the beginning of a project, we define these details for you, based on your tastes, lifestyle, and the scope of your project. However, it never stops there. Building a home or renovating is a constantly evolving process, and slight variations (like the mis-played note in the symphony) impact the whole work of art.
2. Value Engineering for Your Best Investment
“Value engineering” is a term thrown around a lot in the design and construction world, but what does it actually mean? Well, it simply means that all of those design details I shared above must be considered with respect to your desired investment.
Even the highest budgets are not limitless — everyone has their max spending limit. Based on your numbers and your priorities for your home, we will “value engineer” the design to decide where to give and take, save or splurge. Every project is different, because our decisions are based on your priorities and goals.
For example, we can decide which materials will make a bigger design impact or if swapping for a less expensive finish will achieve the same look. We can pull back on some features to decrease labor costs and play up others that are more cost-effective.
Few people realize that designers are so heavily involved at this stage (even after the builder is brought in), but we are. And it is always challenging, because we never want to go “cheap.” If you’re building a home, you want it to last in quality and style.
However, we have ways of balancing your investment objectives with longevity for a home that still looks stunning and endures everyday life for many years to come. These are decisions that are made based on knowledge and experience — it is impossible to get the depth of knowledge needed to see all sides of the equation and balance it — but this is a part of the process where we excel.
3. Expert Project Management from Launch to Reveal
Project management is another area of the project that most people assume the build team handles. While that may be true to some extent (the construction side of things), the project absolutely needs someone managing it on the design side, too.
This includes knowing precisely when materials, fixtures, and specifications are needed, tracking production and delivery, and ensuring they are free from damage — all before your construction team needs them. (Remember when I shared that not having materials ready can screech your new build timeline to a halt?)
It also includes staying on top of the status of the many moving parts of a project, communicating the design flawlessly to the construction team, and troubleshooting any issues, etc. (The same is true for furnishing projects without construction.) It requires that we be organized, extremely detail-oriented, and proactive about asking the right questions and following up frequently.
This all takes many hours of work that most homeowners simply don’t have the time or expertise to handle — not to mention, it can be a high-stress job!
4. Spearheading Problem Prevention & Solutions
In addition to managing a project from an administrative point of view, we are also your “eyes on the ground,” leveraging our experience, asking the right questions, and keeping an eye out to avoid problems before they start. Is a heating vent going to cause an issue with the built-in cabinetry? Has the tile been laid in the wrong bathroom or in the wrong direction? These are details that best be caught early.
Like any skill you master, once you’ve done it repeatedly, you tend to know what to anticipate. This is true of design, too, but of course, there are always new projects, new issues, and newly developed ways of doing things. Part of my job is also about being curious, asking the right questions, staying up-to-date on the latest trends and product innovations, and getting creative with solutions.
But… all projects, big or small, will still have issues that arise. They can be minor or significant, but there is always something. Lately, there have been a lot of furniture delays (due to COVID), but it could also be poor work from a trade, damaged or missing items, or it could be a hiccup during installation.
Instead of you getting a phone call that is likely to leave you in a panic, your designer is your highly experienced advocate, problem-solving for you on the spot. We recognize issues, can think quickly and creatively, and will explore all the options / alternatives possible, narrowing ideas down to the best ones for you.
If it’s something small, we can communicate with trades and fix it, without you ever needing to worry about it. If it’s something that does require your approval, you can rest assured we’ll bring you solutions.
5. Designing a Lifestyle
Problem-solving doesn’t just refer to the design and construction process. It’s also about providing day-to-day solutions that help you maximize the enjoyment of your home. This means creating the right floor plan for your family, considering traffic patterns, designing lighting so that it enhances the experience rather than detracts, being intentional about storage solutions for a clutter-free life, and taking your specific needs into consideration.
Do you love to entertain friends and family? Do you have kids and pets? Do you crave relaxing spaces that feel like a retreat after a long day at work? Do you love to cook or exercise or have space to pursue your hobbies? Your home is the backdrop of your life, and your answers shape the way we design it. It’s the place where you start and finish each day. It’s a safe haven, a support system, and where special memories are made.
Yes, a designer knows what looks good, but our work is about so much more — we design homes for the lifestyle you want.
See this post for more on what an interior designer does and when to hire one from a design perspective.
If you’re looking for an experienced designer who specializes in creating elegant, contemporary, and relaxed spaces for your lifestyle, let’s chat!
Until next time!
Rosanna
