How Interior Designers Support Architects and Property Developers:
As award winning interior designers and property solution specialised based in Devon, we often work with Architects, Property Developers, General Contractors and of course the end-client.
The self-build process offers a unique opportunity for homeowners, architects, and property developers to collaborate and create truly personalised, high-quality property. However, many people overlook a crucial aspect of this process—early input from an interior designer!
From experience Interior designers play a pivotal role in creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, comfortable, and aligned with the client’s vision. Yes, the property can be a show stopping masterpiece, but if you can’t live in, it it’s going to be struggle long term and can be an expensive oversight.
So Why Should Clients Value Interior Design Input Early On?
This blog explores the significant ways interior designers support architects and property developers during the self-build and renovation process. We will also discuss why clients should consider incorporating interior design expertise at the earliest stages of the project, to ensure a seamless and successful build.
The Role of Interior Designers in the Self-Build Process
It could be suggested that the for a self-build project, the goal is to create a home that reflects the homeowner's lifestyle, style, and functional needs. While architects and property developers focus on the building's structure, technical specifications, and regulations, interior designers bring an additional layer of expertise in creating cohesive, functional, and visually appealing interior spaces. Our input can influence the home’s layout, finishes, materials, lighting, and overall atmosphere. We are the specialists in dressing windows and the various applications, bespoke furniture, colour stories and how to accessorise a near-to blank canvas.
Collaborating on Layout and Space Planning
One of the most significant contributions of an interior designer is their input on the layout, colour theory and space planning of a property. This is especially important during the early design stages when architects are developing the blueprints. As experiences interior designers we can ensure that the internal layout supports the intended use of each space, factoring in flow, furniture placement, lighting, and specific needs like storage or privacy.
For example, a designer may suggest moving certain walls to accommodate custom furniture or improve natural light flow through the home. They may also recommend adjustments to room sizes based on the client’s lifestyle needs, such as enlarging the kitchen for entertaining or creating a more functional open-plan living space. It’s thinking about the items that will be placed, fitted and installed into the space once the build is done – it makes all the difference.
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Harmonising the Interior and Exterior Design
A seamless connection between the interior and exterior is vital for creating a cohesive home design. Our role as interior designers is to work with the architects to ensure that the aesthetic vision of your property flows naturally from the outside in. We consider the architectural style, landscape, and views to align the interior with the home’s overall theme. This attention to detail can create harmony between elements such as window placement, doors, and outdoor living areas. All of this is with the intention of enhancing the detail and efforts the architects have gone to create such a fabulous structure.
For instance, if an architect designs a home with large panoramic windows, the interior designer might choose furnishings and colour schemes that maximise the view and complement the natural surroundings. It may be that in order to achieve this at a sophisticated level changes to the architectural or building plans may need to happen to accommodate tracks, poles and other window systems for window dressings. This approach ensures that the home’s interior is not only stylish but also enhances the architectural design.
If for instance you decide to bring in an interior designer at the end of a project this exercise may need to happen in retrospect, increasing costs and potentially compromising on the design aesthetic.
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Selecting the Right Materials and Finishes
During the self-build process, property developers and architects often focus on the structural integrity of the building and may leave decisions regarding materials and finishes for a conversation later down the line. However, early collaboration with an interior designer ensures that these selections are integrated into the build from the outset. Reducing the need for extended Trades to be on-site, ensuring consistency throughout the process.
As Interior designers based in Devon, we are experts in sourcing high-quality, durable, and sustainable materials that align with both the aesthetic vision and functional requirements of the home. Whether it's choosing flooring that complements the design or ensuring that wall finishes are easy to maintain, designers play a crucial role in these decisions. Our services include 360 turnkey applications, meaning we can source and recommend products and schemes from flooring to lighting and everything in between!
For large-scale self-builds, this input can be particularly valuable, as selecting the wrong materials can lead to costly changes down the line. For example, a designer might recommend specific tiles for wet areas that provide both visual appeal and safety features like slip resistance, which the property developer or architect might not prioritise or leave to yourself to find.
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Optimising Lighting Design and Electrical Layouts
Lighting is a critical aspect of home design. From our experience of 35+ years as Interior designers we understand how significantly lighting affects the ambience, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of each room. Our interior design perspective enables us to understand how to use natural and artificial light to enhance spaces, ensuring that lighting fixtures, outlets, and electrical landscaping are optimised.
By involving ourselves as interior designers early in the self-build process, property owners can ensure that electrical points and lighting fixtures are placed strategically based on how each room will be used. This can prevent the need for retrofitting or reworking electrical layouts once the build is complete. Our design skills can also suggest advanced lighting solutions, such as smart lighting systems, ambient lighting, and task lighting to create a dynamic and functional lighting scheme. There are so many options for accessibility and function, getting lighting right can make all the difference to how you feel in a space.
For example, in a kitchen, as interior designers we might recommend under-cabinet lighting to provide better visibility for cooking, or in a living room, we may suggest recessed lighting to create a warm but on a dimmer system, to curate an inviting and intimate atmosphere.
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Enhancing Functionality Through Customisation
One of the most valuable aspects of working with an interior designer in a self-build project is the opportunity for complete customisation. Customisation is growing in popularity especially in the realms of furniture, read more here.
As leading Devon based Interior Designers, in the luxury market, we create often bespoke property solutions for our clients. This could include storage solutions, made to measure furniture to fit specific spaces and desired comfort, and recommendation for custom-built features that add both beauty and function to the home.
For example, as designers we might suggest built-in storage solutions that maximise space in awkward corners or design custom cabinetry that complements the home’s architectural style. We offer colour consultations to help choose colour palettes, textiles, and furnishings that reflect the property owners’ personal vision, while ensuring that each room is practical and cohesive. In line with the architects plans.
By thinking about how each space will be used in advance, our interior design expertise can help create a home that feels personalised and fully functional from day one.
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Why Clients Should Value Interior Design Input Early in the Process
Many self-build clients make the mistake of consulting an interior designer only after the build is complete, when structural changes are no longer possible or simply out of budget. By involving ourselves as interior designers from the outset, you can avoid costly changes later in the process and ensure that your property is both beautiful and functional from the start.
Some key reasons to value interior design input early on include:
Cost Savings: Early design input can help avoid costly structural changes or retrofitting.
Time Efficiency: A coordinated approach between designers, architects, and property developers can prevent delays.
Functional Design: Ensuring that interior spaces are planned with furniture, storage, and functionality in mind from the beginning.
Aesthetic Continuity: Interior designers ensure that the overall design is cohesive, blending seamlessly with architectural elements.
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