The 6 Stages of Interior Design: A Journey to Your Dream Space

Throughout my interior design career, I’ve had the privilege of transforming countless homes across the South East and London. In bringing my clients’ visions to life, I typically work in six key steps. In this article, I walk you through the six stages of interior design by taking you behind the scenes of a recent project on a grade 2 listed property in Wadhurst, East Sussex.

1. Initial consultation: Setting the stage

The first step in a project is always about connection. I meet with clients to understand their vision, budget, and timeline, and to find out who else is involved, such as architects and contractors. It’s also a chance for us to ensure we’re a good fit – after all, interior design is a deeply personal service, so I want to make sure everyone’s on the same page.

In this project, I helped a couple in their 80s who wanted to downsize without sacrificing style or comfort. The challenge? Incorporating their large furniture pieces and extensive collections of art, books, and treasures into a smaller space.

2. Concept design: Crafting the vision

Once I understand the client’s needs, I develop the overall look and feel for the property. This stage involves sketching plans for key areas like bathrooms and kitchens, offering both practical and aesthetic options for the client to choose from.

For our downsizing couple, I had to creatively edit their large modern furniture to fit the smaller house, while blending new elements with the home’s older, historic areas. I softened the space with organic designs and floral fabrics to go with the ‘cottage’ elements of the house and to bring nature from outside in. We also decided on ‘his and hers’ bathrooms, each coordinating with their respective bedrooms, one in blue and the other in ochre and grey.

3. Detailed development: Bringing the concept to life

This stage is where the chosen concept gets fleshed out in detail. I create 2D and 3D drawings, electrical plans, joinery drawings, and finalise colour schemes and materials.

Images: Bathroom before, after & colour scheme

In our case study, the kitchen became the focal point of the open-plan downstairs. Much thought went into choosing materials to create a light, neutral, and contemporary space with handleless cabinetry. We also worked hard to find a clever way of disguising a new lift installation between the tall larder cabinet and the oven housing and fridge freezer.

Images: Kitchen before, kitchen design stage & kitchen after

4. Specification and procurement: Making it happen

Next, it’s time to compile complete specifications and costs for all items. This includes creating an itemised procurement list, liaising with specialist craftsmen for bespoke pieces, and arranging delivery and storage of all items until needed.

Images : Floor plan and lighting specification

For this project, custom storage solutions were designed and built throughout the house to maximise awkward spaces. The bathrooms also required careful planning to incorporate safety features without compromising on style, such as grab rails that doubled as towel rails, non-slip shower trays, and motion-activated lighting.

5. Project management: Coordinating key players

During this phase, I work closely with contractors, ensuring all necessary information and materials are delivered on time. I serve as the link between client, contractor, and architect (if involved), overseeing the installation of the bathroom, kitchen, flooring, and bespoke elements, such as headboards, upholstery and cabinetry.

Happily the architect had done a great job of getting planning permission for the modern windows, contemporary flat roof extension, and sliding doors to replace the garage doors – no mean feat for a grade 2 listed building. I was also lucky enough to be working with excellent contractors for this project who stuck to the schedule and were extremely helpful in troubleshooting. My role was to ensure timely delivery of client-supplied items and coordinate with everyone involved.

6. Styling and curation: The final touches

The last stage involves the artful placement of accessories and artwork, which sounds like the fun part, right? Although it’s extremely rewarding to see the final product, this process can be surprisingly time-consuming as we often design rooms around very specific pieces.

Images: Landing Before & Landing After

Images : Main Living Area Plan & After

For our downsizing couple, we built a bespoke shelving unit to display their extensive collection of trinkets. We also added rugs to soften the new open-plan ground floor and installed a striking striped runner to transition between contemporary and traditional areas of the home.

Final thoughts

Every interior design project is a unique journey, filled with challenges and delightful surprises. Through these six stages, I aim to transform houses into homes that truly reflect my clients’ personalities and needs. Whether you’re downsizing, upsizing, or simply refreshing your space, I’m here to guide you through every step of the process. Are you ready to embark on your own interior design adventure? Contact me today, and let’s begin the journey to your dream home together.

Nicky