There are many steps to completing a home or space, but in this article, we will discuss what we consider to be the most exciting phases of the interior design process. We find that finishes, furniture, and accessories are the most exciting phases of the interior design process because they make the most dramatic transformation of an interior. When done well, each of these phases adds to the beauty of the other.
3 Exciting Phases of the Interior Design Process
We have listed the phases in the order they would be completed. Many designers will start with selecting finishes, then furniture, and finally accessories. You can always hire a designer to start at any phase, but the design will always come out better when starting with any construction changes first!
Here are what we consider the most exciting phases of the interior design process:
- Finishes Selection
- Furniture Selection
- Accessory Selection
Finishes Selection
This step can be one of the more challenging and intimidating phases of the interior design process. However, remodeling and construction will add the most value to your home or space and create the most dramatic change. Remodeling can consist of creating or tearing down existing walls and other structural elements of the property, such as changing or adding a fireplace.
The construction phase also includes adding home fixtures and finishes. Home fixtures and finishes are elements permanently attached to the home or space. Tile, wallpaper, hardware are all great examples of fixtures and finishes.
Professional interior designers can help you source fixtures and other materials only available to the trade. Working with a skilled designer like Katherine Mueller will allow you to create a unique and aesthetically pleasing design that could be hard to achieve on your own due to mass-produced materials available to the public. Fixture selection can include decorative tile, light
Furniture Selection
Of the many phases of the interior design process, furniture selection relies heavily on how the room will function. Designers often use a computer program called CAD, which stands for computer-aided design, to create furniture layouts that will be the correct scale for the room and allow a calm flow. There are also many styles of furniture, including but limited to Rustic, Mid-Century Modern, Traditional, Contemporary, and Transitional.
Furniture can also be custom tailored to the client’s comfort level. Professional designers like Katherine Mueller usually offer a seat test. The seat test allows clients to sit on the unfinished chair or sofa before being upholstered. This test gives the upholster the opportunity to add more cushion or remove cushion if needed for the clients desired comfort. Custom furniture can also be designed to accommodate clients based on their height.
Furniture gives a home or space a distinct attitude, so it is important to take great care when selecting furniture. It is best to keep the furniture style consistent throughout the home in order to create a cohesive design
Accessory Selection
Accessories or home accents are usually one of the final phases of the interior design process because they are the items that will sit on the furniture, soften a corner, or fill a niche to accentuate the beauty of the completed design. These items include greenery, vases, and decorative objects.
This final phase is extremely important because it is a chance to add personality to the client’s home. Many accents have a sentimental meaning or special connection to the client. Whether it be an heirloom of the clients or a found object, which relates to their past, like antique farm tools displayed as decor, these items usually have a profound meaning to the client.
Many designers like to use accessories sparingly. A little goes a long way for accents and tend to be specialty items. You can find our favorite accents at CeTerra Accents & Interiors.
Final Thoughts
There are so many phases of the interior design process and all of them add to the completed design, but finishes, furniture, and accessories standout when it comes to an exciting transformation of an interior. It is crucial for all three of these components to relate to one another in some way for form whether it be by color, pattern, or style to create a strong aesthetic. You can visit our portfolio to see how all these phases come together!
