Inside an Interior Designer’s Process: How I Approach a New Design Project
Get a rare glimpse behind the curtain and see how we bring the design magic to life!
Working with an interior designer should feel like ease. It should feel like someone finally understands what has been frustrating you, what you have been dreaming about, and what you could not quite articulate on your own. It is not about moving furniture around or finding a pretty color. It is about aligning your space with your lifestyle, your personality, and the way you want to feel at home every single day.
So, let’s walk through how I actually think when I begin a new project. This is the closest you can get to being inside my designer brain without me showing up at your door with a tape measure.
Step 1: The Discovery Call
This first step is personal on purpose. Before I even look at your home, I want a chance to understand you. Clients are always surprised by how much time we spend talking about their routines, frustrations, habits, and even their future goals. But all of those things shape how you move through your home every day.
I am listening for the little moments that reveal where design can support you better. Maybe your mornings feel rushed because your entryway is a bottleneck. Maybe your living room looks beautiful but no one ever sits in it. Maybe the kitchen island has turned into the family command center and you cannot figure out why it always feels cluttered. These are the clues that tell me where you need relief, function, or a sense of calm.
Your inspiration images, even the random ones, tell me just as much. You might think your Pinterest board is chaotic, but patterns always emerge. I will notice the way you gravitate toward warm woods, or how nearly every photo you save has layered textures, or how you consistently choose moody lighting without realizing it. These details anchor your design story.
Little known tip: Before we talk, write down the moments that make your home feel most stressful. The things you think are “just the way it is” are often the easiest wins in the design process.
Step 2: Understanding the Space
Walking into your home for the first time is where everything clicks into place. I am taking in the space with my eyes, but also with my intuition. I am noticing the natural light, the vibe, the flow, the scale of furniture, the focal points, and the corners that have been ignored. I am also paying attention to how you move through the space, because your natural habits reveal just as much as the room does.
This part is about potential. Clients often assume that solving their design issues requires major renovation, but many solutions are surprisingly simple. A room that feels cramped may just need different proportions. A space lacking personality may simply need layers. A dark room may not need bigger windows, but better lighting temperatures and more thoughtful placement.
This is also the moment I start imagining how your space could truly support your life. For example, if your dining room sits empty except for holidays, I may rework that zone so it feels more inviting for weekly gatherings. If your family is constantly piling into the same spot, I look at how to rebalance the flow so the room feels intentional rather than overused.
I am not judging. I am assessing. And I am imagining who you are becoming in this home.
Little known tip: Give yourself permission to show me the real version of your space, so LEAVE THE MESS. Lived-in homes provide the clearest picture of how design needs to support you.
Step 3: Developing the Concept
This is where the magic starts to feel tangible. I sit down with everything I have learned about you and your space and begin shaping it into a cohesive design direction. This is not just about picking pretty things. This is storytelling, problem-solving, and creating an emotional experience through materials, color, and layout.
When I develop a concept, I think about your lifestyle first. If your mornings feel chaotic, I will design solutions that create ease, like better flow in the entry or more intuitive storage. If you work from home and crave inspiration, I will build in visual warmth and texture that help regulate your energy throughout the day. If you are a host at heart, we will create zones that encourage connection and comfort.
The concept includes mood boards, color stories, proposed layouts, and a curated set of materials that fit both your lifestyle and your aesthetic. I want you to look at the concept and think, “Yes, this feels like me. This feels right.”
This stage is collaborative. I expect your feedback, because you are the one who will live in the space every day. I do not need perfection from you. I need honesty. That honesty helps refine the vision into something that fits seamlessly into your life.
Little known tip: When you review your design concept, zoom out emotionally before you zoom in visually. Ask yourself, “Does this feel like the life I want to live in this home?”
Step 4: Bringing the Plan to Life
This is the part that clients rarely understand in full until they experience it. Once the concept is approved, the execution phase becomes a coordinated dance of finalizing items, sourcing, scheduling, ordering, confirming, tracking, troubleshooting, and communicating. There are dozens of moving parts operating behind the scenes at this point, all with the goal of bringing your vision to life while keeping the experience stress-free for you.
I work closely with contractors, vendors, and trades to make sure every piece of the plan unfolds smoothly. That includes verifying product availability, confirming lead times, reviewing samples, managing orders, reviewing installation details, and adapting quickly when something unexpected comes up. And yes, things do come up. A perfect rug can go on backorder. A finish can look slightly different in your lighting. A contractor can open a wall and discover the unexpected. My job is to navigate those changes without losing momentum or compromising the design.
Clients often tell me that this stage is where they finally understand the true value of hiring a designer. The number of decisions, timelines, and details involved can be overwhelming without someone guiding the process. With me, you get clarity, communication, and solutions that keep everything aligned.
Little known tip: Fast replies keep the project moving. The quickest way to avoid delays is to send a simple yes, no, or “tell me more” when I ask for your input.
Step 5: Styling and Storytelling
The styling phase is my favorite milestone because this is where your home gains its personality. Once everything is installed, I begin adding the layers that make your space feel complete: window treatments, throw blankets and pillows, books, greenery, art, accessories, and those small but meaningful details that make the room feel like it belongs to you.
Styling is not about filling shelves. It is about capturing your story in subtle, beautiful ways. Your favorite travel photo might sit beside a sculptural vase. A handmade bowl may anchor the coffee table. Pillows layered in rich textures can shift the entire mood of a sofa. Lighting placed intentionally can turn a quiet corner into your new favorite spot.
Clients often underestimate how transformative this phase is. The difference between a furnished room and a designed room is always in the layers. The textures. The silhouettes. The objects that feel collected, not purchased in a rush. This is what gives a space soul.
I want you to walk in and feel both surprised and completely at home. That is when I know I have done my job.
Little known tip: Before installation day, set aside a few items that are sentimental or meaningful. Even one or two pieces can anchor the entire emotional energy of the finished design.
Final Thoughts: The Real Value of the Process
Good interior design blends strategy, creativity, insight, and a genuine understanding of how you want to live. It is not simply about making your home beautiful. It is about making your life easier, calmer, and more inspired. When you hire a designer, you gain access to expertise, resources, and guidance that turn an overwhelming process into a structured, enjoyable experience.
I believe in thoughtful, personalized design that respects your lifestyle and elevates your environment. If you are ready to explore what this could look like for your home, I would be happy to walk you through your next steps. Click below to get started with us today!
