Ideally, before construction begins, and usually earlier than most homeowners imagine.
One of the most expensive misconceptions about interior design is that the designer comes in once the architectural work is complete and construction is underway to select finishes and furniture. By that stage, many important design decisions may already have been made.
The Best Time Is During the Planning Stage
For a significant renovation, I prefer to become involved while the project is still being developed. If an architect is involved, that means working collaboratively with the architect before the plans are completely finalized.
Architecture and interiors aren’t separate experiences when you live in a house. The position of a doorway affects furniture placement. Window locations influence cabinetry. Ceiling heights affect lighting. Bathroom dimensions determine whether the fixtures you love will actually fit comfortably. Looking at those things together early can produce a much better result.
Before the Contractor Prices the Project
There is another practical reason to develop the interiors early: pricing. The more information a contractor has, the more meaningful the construction estimate can be.
“Allowance for bathroom tile” tells you very little. Knowing the actual tile, quantity, installation pattern and approximate cost gives everyone something much more useful to work with. The same applies to plumbing fixtures, decorative lighting, cabinetry, flooring, hardware and stone.
Not every selection needs to be purchased before construction begins, but the more of the design that has been resolved, the fewer financial surprises there tend to be later.
Before Electrical and Plumbing Rough-In
If construction has already started, don’t wait until the decorating stage. There is a point during construction when decisions suddenly become urgent. The electrician needs lighting locations. The plumber needs valve and faucet positions. The contractor needs tile layouts. The cabinetmaker needs appliance specifications.
These decisions are interconnected. Making them quickly on site because somebody needs an answer that afternoon isn’t an ideal design process.
Can a Designer Join a Project That’s Already Underway?
Absolutely. Sometimes clients realize halfway through a renovation that the number of decisions has become overwhelming or that the house isn’t developing cohesively. A designer can step in and help.
But there may be limitations. Moving an electrical box on a drawing is easy. Moving it after drywall and a specialist wall finish have been installed is considerably less so. Earlier involvement gives us more possibilities.
What About Furniture-Only Projects?
If you aren’t renovating and simply want help furnishing a completed home, the timing is more flexible. Even then, I recommend engaging a designer before making major purchases. One expensive sofa bought too early can dictate the layout, scale and palette of an entire room.
It is generally better to develop the room as a whole and then purchase individual pieces.
My Rule of Thumb
If you’re planning a significant renovation, start speaking to interior designers at approximately the same stage that you’re speaking to architects and contractors, not once they’ve finished. You don’t necessarily need every answer immediately. You simply want the right team around the table while the decisions that shape the home can still be changed.
Rebecca Duke is Founder and Principal Designer of The R Creative, a Los Angeles residential interior design studio specializing in considered interiors and residential renovations.
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