Before you hire an interior designer for your residential or business project, it is always helpful to understand the process and some of the terminology commonly used in interior design. This will help you communicate effectively with your designer and be aware of what to expect when planning your project. It will also help you work better with your designer to achieve the outcome you desire.
Definition stage
The defining stage should not be rushed, because if the groundwork is flawed it can throw the entire project off base. You will be asked several questions about your goals for the completed project and the reasoning for beginning the project. These questions are crucial for laying the foundation for your project, so you and your designer can work toward accomplishing the ultimate purpose of your interior design.
Research stage
Comparing similar design styles to what you are looking for is helpful for gathering ideas for your own project. You can gain inspiration by looking at other projects to seek out elements that stand out to you and those that you find less than desirable. This will help you narrow down a plan by eliminating those design elements that you find unhelpful and instead focusing on the ones most helpful for accomplishing your end goal.
Verbal ideation stage
Verbal ideation or brainstorming is where you begin to work with your designer to personalize your project. During this phase, you may be asked to write down words that come to your mind when you think about your design project. These words can help build a road map to the design of your dreams and will help your designer create a design best suited to your personality.
Visual ideation stage
This is the stage where your ideas begin to take shape and you get to see your design plan on paper. Designers often use sketches or mood boards for this stage to create a visual picture of the finished project. This allows you to see the colors and how they work together and allow you to tweak your design to perfection prior to the actual work starting.
Becoming familiar with how a high-end creative conceptual interior designer works, and the process involved throughout the project will help you get off to a good start with your designer. You will understand what to expect and the importance of allowing your designer plenty of room for creativity and personalization that will result in a finished project that you will be proud of.
