From Concept to Completion: What does an Interior Designer do?

If you’re feeling like your space needs a fresh new look, it might be time to consider a remodel. But making the decision to redesign your home, restaurant or commercial space is a big commitment – financially and in terms of time, energy and effort. To make the design process as smooth as possible, and get the result you’re looking for, it’s important to hire the right professionals for the job.

In this blog post, we explore when an Interior Designer would be the right choice, and how they can help make your design dreams a reality.

Interior Designer vs Architect: What are the Major Differences?

 While architects specialize in structure, façade and building systems, interior designers are experts in spacial layout, scale and surface finishes. Much like architects, interior designers have the skill and expertise needed to create technical drawings and reconfigure the layout of a building, including removing walls where needed and improving the overall usage and flow of the interior of a home, restaurant or commercial space.

Both architects and interior designers need to be familiar with building codes, deciphering their clients’ needs and keeping a project on-time and on-budget. In Ontario (and other provinces) both must be licensed and registered with their governing bodies – the Ontario Association of Architects and Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario, respectively.

While an architect may lay the foundation of a project, an interior designer will focus on the smaller, yet equally important details, such as furniture placement, electrical outlet locations, millwork, furniture layouts, door swings, and much more.

As a rule of thumb, home renovations do not typically require an architect. However, you DO need a good designer and contractor to bring your vision to life. In our recent blog post, we share more about why choosing a registered interior designer is the best choice when considering a renovation.

This brings us to our next question: How do you know if you need an interior designer?

Answering the Question: Do I Need an Interior Designer?

If you ask us, the answer is almost always “yes!” Here’s why: If you’re considering a major remodel of your home or business, when you hire an interior designer, you can be assured that you will be working with a licensed professional who has met the standards for education, work experience and examination.

While a home or business owner can plan and execute a design on their own, engaging an interior designer will ensure that your finished interior environment is functional, accessible and attractive. Interior designers will also ensure that your space complies with all regulatory and legal requirements, including the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and accessibility standards.

From start to finish, an interior designer will ensure your needs are taken into consideration. They will help to manage budgets, timelines, permitting and construction while planning and executing a thoughtful design solution. Most importantly, a licensed interior designer will have the training and expertise needed to combine your desired design elements and aesthetic style into a safe, functional, and beautiful space.

An Interior Designer’s Approach to Your Project

Interior design is a multifaceted profession that includes conceptual development, space planning, site inspections, programming, research and stakeholder management in order to execute a project successfully. There are also a variety of areas that interior designers can specialize in including restaurant design, corporate design, healthcare design, biophilic design, universal design and many more.  

Regardless of the type of project you’re looking to complete, an interior designer will walk you through the process, gathering the information needed to determine your objectives and developing a design that delivers of those needs.

Here are a few of the key steps an interior designer will take when tackling your project:  

1.     Evaluate the Interior of the Space

One of the primary reasons that a home or business owner chooses to remodel their space is because the existing space simply isn’t working. A good interior designer understands the schematics of an interior space and how to configure it to your advantage.

 Whether you’re living in a modest condo or large home, an interior designer will audit your existing space and come up with innovative ways to maximize its efficiency – while also keeping aesthetics in mind.

2.   Define Form and Functionality  

An important part of proposing the best design solution for a project is to keep both form and functionality in mind.

 For example, in a large kitchen, important items may be too far apart from one another for optimal productivity. Similarly, a small kitchen can leave you wanting more from cluttered or disorganized storage. In a recent blog post, we talk about the pros and cons of remodeling a kitchen, and touch on how to create the most functional space.

In restaurant design, an interior designer will help you plan the functionality of your kitchen – the heart of your business – and bring to life the look, feel and vibe you want for your restaurant.  

Not only will an interior designer help you organize each area based on how you’ll be using the space, but they will also consider how spaces relate to one other. For example, an interior designer will help you consider the flow of your home as a whole, arranging private spaces (like bedrooms) and public spaces (like the kitchen) in a way that makes the most sense for you live, work and play.

3. Develop an Interior Design Concept

An interior design concept is the central theme that ties all the design elements together. The goal? To create a cohesive look and feel that turns your vision into reality.

At the outset of a project, your interior designer will discuss your goals and objectives with you. Based on those conversations, they will propose a concept first as an idea then show how it will be brought to life through the unique design decisions that will make up your project.

Concept development matters because it helps your interior designer establish the function of the space(s), takes into account the fixture and furniture needs and also helps you narrow down the right style. A successful design concept will translate seamlessly to the built form and will evoke the desired mood and aesthetic.

4. Fulfill the Client’s Needs - To the Letter

Finding the balance between what you want and what you need in your space remodel can be challenging, but it’s an interior designer’s job to do just that.

A professional interior designer will listen closely to your hopes and dreams for your redesign and will walk you through a collaborative and iterative design process to ensure your needs are met. Using a combination of plans, renderings and physical material samples, a designer will present their suggestions based on your goals and wishes for the space.  

By the end of the design process, your interior designer will have solved for as many challenges as possible, and you’ll be well on your way to spending time in your newly designed space – following construction, of course!

Once your project plans have been delivered to the contractor, your interior designer will also be available throughout the construction process to troubleshoot any challenges and ensure the final project is executed properly.

Article by Laura Zarnke, Writer and Content Strategist.

Looking for an Interior Designer in Toronto?

We can help! Our team specializes in complete architectural interior design services for full house renovations and restaurant interior design. Our team serves downtown Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, and the rest of the Greater Toronto Area. Contact us via our website to book a consultation and to find out more about how we can help you to create a unique and trendy space you’ll love.