The Interior Design Process, Explained

So, what actually happens when you work with an interior designer?

One of the questions I’m often asked is what the design process actually looks like.

If you haven’t worked with an interior designer before, it can be hard to know what to expect. When do we start designing? When do we talk about budget? When are materials selected? And how do we get from a Pinterest board full of ideas to a finished home?

While every project is slightly different, I follow a pretty clear process at Sa’u Studio. It gives us structure and makes sure we’re making the right decisions at the right time, without taking the fun or creativity out of it.

So, here’s a little behind-the-scenes look at how it all works.

01. Initial Contact & Discovery Call

First things first, we have a chat.

The discovery call is usually a fairly relaxed conversation about your project; what you’re looking to do, where the project is located, your timeframe, budget and what sort of help you’re looking for.

It’s also really about working out whether we’re a good fit for each other.

You’re potentially trusting me with a huge part of your home (and quite a significant investment), so I think it’s important that you feel comfortable with me and the way I work. Equally, I want to make sure I’m the right designer for your project and can genuinely add value.

If it feels like a good fit, we move onto the next step.

02. Site Visit & Initial Meeting

Next, I’ll come out and see the space.

For renovations, this is where I’ll complete a basic site measure, take photos and get a much better understanding of what we’re actually working with.

But more importantly, we start talking about the project properly.

What isn’t working at the moment? What would you love to change? What are the non-negotiables? Are there things you’d love to include if the budget allows?

For a new build, this stage may be more about sitting down with the architectural plans and understanding the overall direction of the home.

I’m not trying to solve everything in this meeting. It’s really about gathering information and understanding the scope so I can work out exactly what you need from me.

03. Your Design Fee Proposal

From there, I put together a fee proposal specifically for your project.

Because no two homes, or clients, are exactly the same. My proposals are based on the actual scope of work rather than trying to squeeze every project into the same package.

I’ll clearly outline what I’ll be designing, what you’ll receive at each stage and the associated design fees.

I want this part to be really transparent. You should know what’s included and what the process ahead looks like before we get started.

Once that’s accepted, we can get into the good stuff.

04. The Briefing Meeting

This is probably one of my favourite parts of the process because this is where I really get to know you.

And we go into a lot more detail than, “I like warm neutrals and natural timber.”

I want to know how you actually live.

If I’m designing your kitchen, I want to know who does most of the cooking. Do you entertain? Where do the kids sit? Are you someone who wants everything hidden away, or do you like having things within reach? Where does the coffee machine live? What drives you absolutely mad about your current kitchen?

For a full interior project, we’ll talk about how the different spaces need to function, what you already own, what you need storage for, how you want the home to feel and what’s important to you day-to-day.

And then there’s the fun stuff.

Bring me your Pinterest boards. Your screenshots. The kitchen you saved three years ago. The tile you’re obsessed with but have absolutely no idea where you’d use it.

At this point, I want to see it all.

You don’t need to have a perfectly defined style before coming to me. Part of my job is taking all of those ideas, figuring out the common thread and turning them into something cohesive.

05. Concept Design

This is where I disappear for a little while and start pulling everything together.

I take what we’ve discussed in the briefing meeting and begin exploring the layout, proportions, materials, cabinetry and overall design direction.

Then we meet again for your concept presentation.

I’m a very visual designer, so this stage generally includes plenty of 3D renders alongside floor plans and initial material ideas. I want you to be able to really see and understand what I’m proposing rather than having to imagine it from a technical drawing.

I’ll walk you through the design, explain why I’ve made certain decisions and we’ll talk through your initial thoughts.

There will usually be things we tweak, that’s completely normal. The point of concept design is to establish the big-picture direction before we spend time resolving every last detail.

06. Detailed Design, Selections & Pricing

Once we’re happy with the concept, we start getting into the detail.

And I mean the detail.

Cabinetry layouts are refined. Drawers are planned. Heights and proportions are resolved. Benchtops, tiles, flooring, tapware, handles, lighting and finishes start being locked in.

Depending on your project, we may also head out to showrooms together to look at materials and products in person.

This is also the stage where I like to start getting some real-world pricing around the design.

There’s not much point creating something beautiful if it ends up being completely disconnected from the budget.

With more detailed plans and selections available, we can send information out to cabinetmakers, suppliers and trades for preliminary pricing. That gives us an opportunity to sense-check where everything is sitting financially before we move into final documentation

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If something has come back higher than expected, this is the time to look at it.

Maybe we simplify one element. Maybe we find an alternative material. Or maybe we decide that particular feature is worth spending the extra money on and save somewhere else.

It’s not necessarily about making things cheaper; it’s about spending the budget in the right places.

07. Final Documentation

Once the design and selections are signed off, everything gets translated into the final set of documentation.

This is the less glamorous side of interior design, but it’s incredibly important.

Depending on the project, this can include detailed floor plans, elevations, cabinetry drawings, dimensions, material specifications and schedules.

The renders show everyone what we’re trying to achieve.

The documentation tells them how we’re going to achieve it.

Having that information properly resolved before work begins also means fewer decisions are being made on the fly once you have trades on site, which is generally better for everyone involved.

08. Into Construction

Then we get to see it come to life.

My involvement during construction depends on the scope of the project, but I like to stay involved at the key stages where design decisions are being translated into reality.

For kitchen and cabinetry projects in particular, that can include checking details with the cabinetmaker, factory inspections before cabinetry leaves the workshop and being on site for benchtop templating.

I can also be available to answer questions from trades and resolve those inevitable little things that pop up once a project is underway.

Because no matter how much planning we do, building and renovating will always throw up the occasional curveball.

09. The Final Handover

And then, eventually, we get to stand in the finished space.

There is something pretty special about seeing a project go from our very first conversation, sometimes just a collection of ideas and things that aren't working, to a completely finished home.

At completion, I’ll do a final walkthrough and make sure the design details have come together as intended.

Then comes one of my other favourite part: photographing it!

Good Design Is About More Than Making Things Look Beautiful

There are a lot of decisions involved in designing or renovating a home. Some are exciting, some are technical and some seem incredibly small, until you realise they affect five other decisions.

My job is to help you navigate all of that.

Yes, I want your home to look beautiful. But I also want the kitchen to work when three people are trying to use it at once. I want there to be a logical place to put things. I want materials to make sense for the way you live. And I want the finished home to feel like you, rather than a copy of something we found online.

That’s why the process matters.

It gives us the time to understand the problem, explore the possibilities, test the ideas and then properly resolve the details before they’re built.

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, new build or interior design project in Auckland or further afield, I’d love to hear what you’re working on.

Get in touch with Sa’u Studio and let’s start with a chat.