Why We Recommend Hiring A Designer Early
One of the most common questions we hear is: When during a renovation or new build should we bring on an interior designer?
Our answer is always the same—as early as possible.
Ideally, we recommend hiring a designer before architectural designs are finalized, before a builder is selected, and before major decisions about the home have already been made. Bringing a designer in early allows the entire project to feel more cohesive, intentional, and more tailored to the way you live.
Why Timing Matters
When a designer is brought into a project after architectural drawings are complete, and a builder has already created a bid, many major decisions are already set in motion. At that stage, making changes becomes more difficult for everyone involved.
Not only can revisions create frustration for the architect and builder, but they can also lead to additional costs, delays, and compromises that could have been avoided with earlier collaboration.
One of the biggest benefits of hiring a designer early in the project is that we are advocating for you throughout the entire process.
Interior design is about far more than selecting paint or finishes. Instead, we want to help shape the home from the beginning. We consider the flow of the space, how your family lives day-to-day, where natural gathering points happen, how lighting impacts a room, and the small details that make a home feel both beautiful and functional.
A large part of our work happens in the discovery phase, where we spend time learning how you live, what inspires you, what frustrations or limitations you have in your current space, and what matters to you most in the next chapter.
While design-build firms can offer convenience, many also have a particular style, process or way of building that guides their projects. Our role is different. We’re focused on creating a home that reflects your lifestyle, priorities, and aesthetic — not a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Early Collaboration Actually Changes
When a designer is involved from the beginning, conversations become much more intentional.
Rather than making selections room by room or reacting to decisions as they arise, we are able to look at the home holistically—considering how spaces connect, how materials flow throughout the project, and how the home will ultimately feel to live in every day.
This often influences decisions far beyond furnishings or finishes. It may shape the placement of windows, architectural details, lighting plans, storage solutions, or furniture layouts.
A More Thoughtful Process
Building or renovating a home involves countless decisions, and having the right team in place early can make the experience feel far more collaborative and aligned.
When architects, builders, and designers are working together from the start, projects tend to move more smoothly, communication becomes clearer, and the final result feels more considered at every level.
For us, interior design is never just about selecting finishes. It’s about helping clients create homes that support the way they want to live—both practically and emotionally—for years to come.
If you are beginning a renovation or new build project and are considering when to involve a designer, we would love to connect with you early in the process.
Hear what Kristin has to say on this topic below:
