“How early should we bring you in?” – The question we get asked more than any other
It is the question we hear more than almost any other, usually from clients who are already several months into planning a renovation and are beginning to wonder whether now might finally be the right time to call a designer.
Our answer is always the same: earlier than you think.
Why timing matters more than most people realise
There is a common assumption that interior designers are brought in at the end of a project, once the building work is done, the walls are up, and it is time to think about furniture and finishes. In reality, that approach can cost you significantly more time, money, and stress than involving a designer from the very beginning.
When we are part of a project from the outset, we can work alongside the build team throughout, advising on internal layouts, electrical layouts, lighting design, material finishes, and the key base-build decisions that will determine how every room looks and functions for years to come.
These are not cosmetic decisions. They are foundational ones. And once they are made, once the walls are plastered, the ceiling is boarded, or the floor is laid, many of them cannot be easily undone.
The decisions that happen before you even choose a sofa
Consider lighting alone. The position of a ceiling rose, the placement of wall lights, the routing of cables for under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen, all of these need to be determined before first fix. If an interior designer is not involved at that stage, those decisions are often made by the electrician based on standard practice rather than by a designer based on how the room will ultimately look and feel.
The same is true of flooring thresholds, door swing directions, kitchen layouts, bathroom waste positions, and dozens of other details that might seem technical but have a profound impact on the finished space.
What early involvement looks like in practice
When clients bring us in at the start of a project, we are able to review architectural drawings, flag potential issues before they become expensive problems, and ensure that every design decision, however small, is made with the finished interior in mind.
It also means that by the time the build is complete, the design is already resolved. Furniture is ordered. Finishes are specified. There are no delays waiting for decisions to be made, because the decisions have already been made, carefully, collaboratively, and at the right moment in the process.
Our advice
If you are considering a renovation, even if you are still in the early stages of planning, still speaking to architects, or still waiting for planning permission, it is not too early to speak to us.
In fact, that is exactly the right time.
We offer an initial consultation to discuss your project, your vision, and how we might be able to help. We would love to hear from you.
