Ahhh the excitement of a fresh and shiny new Interior Design project. We love the beginning of a project when ideas are plenty and inspiration and potential are at your fingertips. Those feelings can quickly fade when you are met with a lengthy to-do list, and you realize that you are unsure of your best next steps. Have no fear, we are here! Today’s post discusses how skilled Interior Designers eliminate overwhelm.
Interior Designers Narrow Down Options for You
What makes design projects so fun is the myriad of possibilities and potential.
However, this can also be one of the biggest challenges standing in the way of progressing your project, maintaining the project schedule, and making successful design decisions.
There are so many beautiful products out there that is easy to get pulled in different directions and become overwhelmed.
Before you know it, you aren’t making smart design decisions and you end up with an Art Deco Bathroom and a Modern Farmhouse Living Room.
Interior Designers always start by establishing a design concept.
We work closely with you to understand your taste, goals, and the overall feeling you want to create. This establishes a clear direction from the start.
This critical step is how Interior Designers eliminate overwhelm from the start of a project. A design concept naturally narrows down options and provides a checkpoint for every decision made throughout the design process.
This ensures that every decision represents the established design concept and that the project progresses in the right direction.
In addition to establishing a design concept, a skilled Interior Designer will narrow down the possibilities for you. The service we offer includes doing the leg work for you.
We source tile, plumbing fixtures, and lighting that represent the design concept and overall look and feel of the space. We also always ensure that what we are proposing is within budget.
When you walk into a tile showroom you are met with hundreds of possibilities.
Using our experience, product knowledge, and discerning design eye we can see through the noise. We intuitively identify the perfect products that represent exactly what you are dreaming of.
We ensure that every decision made is cohesive, fits in the budget, and supports you and your family’s lifestyle.
Interior Designers Manage Time & Project Schedule
Interior Designers know how long it takes to get you to the exciting part of the project where hammers are swinging, or furniture pieces are arriving.
It takes time, which is often underestimated leading to stress and overwhelm. Anyone that has undertaken a design project will tell you they were surprised much longer the process took than anticipated.
Interior Designers set realistic expectations and schedules from the start of the project and keep things moving forward scheduling regular meetings with key decision-makers present.
We help you make timely decisions and hold other consultants and decision-makers accountable to maintain project momentum.
As much as we love the idea phase, it is only one part of a detailed and complex process. The longer we sit or revisit design phases the longer it will take to complete your project.
Although some things can be done to expedite the construction or procurement phase, the options are limited, and they won’t come without sacrificing budget or quality.
“Fast, Cheap, Good: Pick Two. If it’s fast and cheap it won’t be good. If it’s cheap and good, it won’t be fast. If it’s fast and good, it won’t be cheap.”
-Jim Jarmusch-
Our involvement increases efficiency because of our extensive experience – we have managed plenty of projects and we know what to expect.
This process creates and maintains project momentum which is key to getting to the best part, living (and bragging 😉) about your beautiful new space.
Interior Designers Know What You Need
When you start an Interior Design project, the sheer volume of decisions that you need to make is overwhelming. A design project comes with a long list of required selections from tile to fabrics to lighting. But how do you know what you really need?? This is precisely where Interior Designers eliminate overwhelm.
We know every fixture that needs to be selected and every piece of hardware that is required. We also know about the not-so-pretty stuff hidden behind walls that must be there for your space to function.
When these details are overlooked or missed in the planning phase, they don’t just disappear instead, they come up when work is being executed. This results in required changes that impact budget and schedule.
The truth is issues come up during every project but involving an Interior Designer from the start will greatly decrease the number and severity of unexpected hiccups during the execution phase.
Interiors Designers Are Always Thinking Ahead
Picture this, you have finally submitted all your selections to your General Contractor when you stumble upon an inspirational photo of a beautiful stone backsplash. You decide you must have it, so you revise your selections and send them off to your General Contractor.
Plumbing install day arrives when your contractor discovers that the faucet doesn’t fit between the sink and the newly added backsplash. After doing more research you discover that no faucet will. The countertop will have to be refabricated, and the sink reselected, to accommodate the backsplash and faucet.
Ahhhh the domino effect of design changes.
I didn’t share this to discourage changes, sometimes they are required, and they are the right decision. However, this is another prime example of where an Interior Designer eliminates overwhelm.
We are always thinking ahead, and I truly mean always. As soon as a change is proposed we think through the smallest details that could be impacted or we draw from the experience of past missteps 😉
However, we aren’t only thinking ahead when it comes to changes, it’s in our nature to increase efficiency whenever possible.
Let’s say you love the beautiful floor tile we proposed, and we know it has a long lead time then we will pass the specification on to the General Contractor to get it on order as soon as possible.
This is how a successful designer and project manager’s brain works, we spot potential issues before they become major problems, and we inherently keep your project moving forward.
Interior Designers Expertly Communicate Decisions & Design Intent
Install day arrives for your Kitchen cabinets and you immediately notice that the cabinet profile is incorrect.
The millworker is certain that the fabricated profile was approved when you discussed it on-site. After going through your email, you discover there is nothing in writing confirming the selection.
A skilled Interior Designer will always follow up after an in-person meeting with meeting minutes, change orders, or revised drawings if required.
With so many moving parts throughout a design project, design decisions must be documented in writing to avoid miscommunications.
Not only will we document every decision clearly, but we will be the first ones on-site dealing with any issues that arise.
We are problem solvers and experienced in dealing with difficult situations, which is another invaluable way Interior Designers eliminate overwhelm.
Interior Designers Manage Communication & Questions
A good General Contractor will always ask you your preference instead of assuming how you would like something done.
Asking questions is the trait of a good General Contractor however, answering questions takes time which is limited for a lot of us.
Receiving phone calls throughout your day can be overwhelming and stressful and you may simply not have the time or space to answer them.
The beauty of working with an Interior Designer is that we answer those phone calls and questions for you.
We consult you when needed but certain decisions or issues can be easily answered based on our knowledge and expertise.
We manage all communications and answer difficult questions, so you have more time to dedicate to the things that matter most to you.
Wrapping Up: How Skilled Interior Designers Eliminate Overwhelm
We often hear people say that their design projects were a lot more work, took a lot more time, and included some less-than-desirable hiccups.
Tooting our own horn here, but Interior Designers bring so much knowledge and value to construction projects.
Interior Designers just get it, we’ve been there and done that. Yes, we have made mistakes but most importantly we have learned from them. The great thing is that we bring that knowledge with us to contribute to the success of your project.
When you hire an Interior Designer, you are gaining all their knowledge, experience, as well as their expertise (and exquisite taste!).
We guarantee the overall process will be much smoother and the Interior Designer will eliminate overwhelm.
Cheers!
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure of the best next steps for your project? Not a planner? We got you! Get in touch with us.
