You’re building a new home. You’ve hired an architect, and selected a general contractor, or perhaps you’re buying into a new development and you’re able to specify options. You plan on having your interior designer come in once the build is complete. You’ve covered all the bases, right? Wait a second. Rewind. There’s one thing to reconsider here. You could be making a mistake that many people make when planning a new build. Instead of waiting until after the build is complete, your interior designer should really be involved from the very beginning of the process. A recent project illustrates why:
A client’s beautiful new home has thrown up some challenges due to inadequate consideration for the furniture and electrical placement. The windows in one of the bedrooms are too low, and the nightstand will sit higher than the window sill. In another room, the windows have been positioned too high. When sitting, the views are very restricted, and only the tops of the trees are visible. In some cases these sorts of constraints can be designed around, but they place limitations on design choices and furniture selections. Perhaps a nightstand can be found that’s low enough, even though it may not be the client’s preferred style choice. In other cases, these restrictions can result in expensive change orders, such as when standard electrical outlets were included, but not USB outlets in the bedroom and kitchen island. The electrician will have to be called back and the walls disrupted. An expense of both time and money that could have been avoided. In our case, another bedroom has windows too close together but the client wants a queen size bed, which will now extend beyond the windows. Less than ideal.
These are examples of things that are not obvious when designing a house. Architects are trained to look at the overall space; the dimensions, proportions, and how the spaces flow together. Builders are looking at the technical aspects of the build, and ensuring the specifications and regulations are being adhered to. It’s the job of the interior designer to look at how the home will function; how you will live in it, where the furnishings will go, and how it reflects your lifestyle preferences and personal style. Involving your interior designer from the outset means they can ensure every detail is covered, both functionally and stylistically, saving you unnecessary expense and compromise, to achieve your ideal result.