A Step-by-Step Guide to How the Interior Design Process Works
Posted on 26th November 2023 at 19:20
Whether you love or hate updating your home, it can sometimes feel like a constant cycle of working your way around each room renovating or decorating - and when you finally finish, it’s time to start again! From time to time, however much you try to bring a room concept to life, it just may not come together in reality quite as you visualised it. This is where an interior designer can help pull all your ideas together and save the day. If you have never worked with an interior designer before, you may not know what to expect, which is where Alle Interiors can help - by giving you a step-by-step guide to how the Interior Design Process works when starting with a new client.
Step 1 – the discovery call
This is essentially the most important step of the process as it’s where we find out about you, your lifestyle, your home, what you need and like design wise – and of course the all-important budget! It’s also the perfect opportunity for both parties to determine if working together is a good fit. We love this step as it’s our chance to find out about your project. From the client perspective, you need to find a designer that is a good listener and will easily add your personality into the design, whilst working towards your pain points and goals. Only when you are confident you have found a perfect match, is it time to schedule your in-home consultation.
Step 2 – In-house consultation
After the initial discovery call, we of course need to come and visit your home to see what is involved and check the space out. We love seeing what people have done with their properties and we will walk through your space, clarifying the problem spots and begin to share our ideas for how you can solve the problem issue and our vision for your new space. It can help us if you communicate your likes and dislikes by compiling a bank of images either via cuttings from magazines or by creating a board on Pinterest. Your interior designer will, however, also ask questions to help understand your style and taste.
Step 3 – Presentation
We then come to one of the most exciting parts for the client where we present the new floor plans, design ideas and our suggestions for fixtures and furnishings for your approval. We do this by working through all the information gained from our initial discussions and presenting it via a mood boards. This is also the stage where you can change any colours or items that you may not like and suggest others before we go down the purchasing route.
Step 4 – Procurement
This is where we hit the shops (so, to speak)! We will work through our many designer shops (or sources) to find the perfect materials and products for your project. All orders and deliveries will be managed by us, and we will present you with a ‘shopping list’ that works with your concept and within your budget, to be signed off. Following this, measured layouts will be drawn up, along with the electrical and lighting plans to be finalised. We will also provide technical drawings, if needed, to the relevant trades people and get the work costed for you. Decisions will need to be made on the hard finishes, soft furnishings, furniture, wall treatments, floor coverings, fixtures, and fittings.
Step 5 – Installation
The final and most important phase is the installation of your new project, where we bring in all your new furniture, art, and window treatments. We will be on hand to co-ordinate the work and ensure that everything is delivered and installed correctly. Then comes the exciting part where we style the room to make sure everything is looking its best with all the finishing touches. We will walk through your space with you and note any issues that may need to be resolved, while co-ordinating solutions. If you are happy with your new space, it’s now the perfect opportunity to give your interior designer a few referrals or a great review to help their business. You can then admire your stunning new space, sit back, and enjoy using it!
Interior Design Elements
There are 7 basic elements of interior design - light, line, space, form, colour, pattern, and texture and when managed correctly, these components bring the magic. When you hire an interior designer, you are hiring them for their area of expertise, to build on the ideas you already have, and to come up with an inspiring and suitable solution. They will work with you to find out your likes and dislikes, whilst suggesting their own thoughts along the way.
Whether you have a modern, traditional, or period home; the building’s architecture, age and use will need to be considered to show how to either make the most of any features or reintroduce them if they have previously been ripped out. An interior designer will also know how to match everything in the space and help you buy the right furniture, table, chairs, and extra items.
Alle Interiors really knows the importance of learning and evolving as a business and alongside our industry training to stay on top of the latest trends, we also love networking to help build our customer base. One networking group we attend is the Busy Women Networking at Chicheley Hall, who have been a fantastic support to us as a business. At each of the monthly meetings, we meet so many inspiring ladies working in a variety of businesses - but with the same aim of supporting each other.
If you would like some advice on a particular room or perhaps the whole style of your home; this is where Alle Interiors can really help you make your house feel like a home. Please go to www.alle-interiors.co.uk to check out our products and collections and the services we offer.
Notes: –
Alle Interiors is an independent interior design and styling company who provide a one-stop-shop for all your interior design and soft furnishing requirements with customer service their utmost priority. They are also a member of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF).
Image Credits: Padilha Images, Gallery Direct
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