Interior Design Process: a Step-by-Step Guide for Successful Projects

For one, when you know the interior design process step by step, you’ll never go into your design project blind. Having a laid-out plan at your disposal will help you feel far more confident to ask the right questions, find the right fit, and keep your ideal design on track.

As they say, the more you know! Here are seven of the key stages of the interior design process you should expect to encounter when collaborating on any redecorating project — and how to nail each one of them.

1. Consultation

The first step in any interior designer’s process is a consultation. This is where you'll have an initial meeting — designers with their clients or vice versa. During this call, you get to know each other and see if the project is a match. For designers, the consultation is essential to see if the project aligns with their skills and bandwidth. For a client, it’s a good time to ask the designer about their philosophy and style. You can also tackle items like fees and timelines.

It is often customary for designers to charge a fee for consultations. Even though the meeting does not guarantee that the project will move forward, it adds accountability and intention to the meeting. In the end, a consultation serves as an opportunity to review the broader strokes of a project. Better to realize a job is not in your wheelhouse or bandwidth before committing.

Even if you’re moving forward with a design process on your own, you could still have a consultation phase. Take this time to meet with everyone who will be involved in the process (or who will just be utilizing the space!) to see what they want and need from your project.

2. Onboarding

After committing to a project, the next stage of the interior design process is onboarding. This marks the beginning of the discovery phase, where a designer should ask their client in detail about their wants, needs, budgets, and timelines. 

One of the best ways to conduct an efficient onboarding is by asking clients to fill out a sample client profile for the project. Even if you are doing a project yourself, it’s a good idea to go through these questions to solidify your vision. 

Don’t forget to source references of inspiration for colors, patterns, furniture, rugs, and more. The more detail that is included, the more customized and specific the final design will be.

Here are a few standard components to include in your client profile:

1. Project Details. Scope, timeline, budget, and final deliverables.
2. Design Preferences. Style, color palate, materials, lighting, must-haves, and don’ts.
3. Inspiration and References. A collection of mood boards, Pinterest pins, and brands that align with the project vision.
4. Lifestyle Considerations. Daily use of the space, what activities will take place in the space, and what materials will work best due to those circumstances. For example, if the space sees a lot of foot traffic, consider rugs that are particularly durable and rug pads.
5. Challenges and Concerns. Any anticipated challenges that could come up in the process so you can plan ahead. For example, if you need a water-proof rug, you could make a list of synthetic options.
6. Additional Notes. Leave this section to cover anything that doesn’t fit the above categories.

3. Conceptualization

Once all the details are nailed down in the client profile, it’s time to begin concept development. This is where all the previous discussions and ideas will come together. You will create an overlying concept that reflects your client's preferences — or, if this is a DIY project, those of the people who will be using the space.

Many times, conceptualization will involve gathering examples. This involves everything from gathering examples of textured rugs to exploring how cozy the space should be to playing around with the layouts. Let the creative juices flow, but always refer back to your client profile to serve as a north star for all decisions.

If you’d like to gather some samples of rugs before you commit to one, we can help! Sisal Rugs Direct offers up to four free samples of each of our rugs. After your first four samples, additional samples are only $1.50 each.

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4. Design Development

In the design development phase, ideas begin to become reality. Here is where you will plot out layouts, gather swatches, and commit to materials based on your or the client’s needs. It’s all about refining the layout and finalizing the options. For example, if you have been debating between using a natural fiber or synthetic rug, this would be the stage where you make that definitive decision. 

If you are a designer working with a client, you must get their approval on whatever designs you are creating. It should be presented to them so they can give feedback. The last thing you want is to move forward with a design and have a key element missing. It also keeps the customer at the center of all decision-making. 

5. Sourcing

With the design solidified, it’s time to get into procurement. Gather all the building blocks you will need to make the concept come to life. Source all the materials, furniture, and decor that were outlined in the design development process. 

Don’t forget to see what items can be ordered customized. For example, all of Sisal Rugs can be made into custom shapes and sizes. It's an easy way to make any design feel one of a kind.

6. Installation

One of the most important stages of the interior design process is the installation — the big show, if you will! All the materials you’ve gathered have finally been moved into the space. 

While you need to stick to the original design, you can still be creative with the final touches. Bit by bit, the design you developed as a concept will come to life before your eyes. And remember, as the designer of the project, you are expected to be the authority on the installation. Be present to answer any questions and troubleshoot any challenges.

7. Walkthrough

With the installation finished, it’s time to do a walkthrough with your client. You will need their final approval to sign off on the project. 

As you conduct the walkthrough, you may notice some elements that your client wants to adjust. Don’t be offended. Sometimes, designs look a little different when incorporated into the space. You may discover that more accessories are needed, that the floor plan needs to be tweaked for better flow, or that the room could benefit from rug layering. 

As long as you keep communicating with your client, you can successfully make these small adjustments together. Once everything is as it should be, congratulations! You’ve just completed another fabulous design project.

Be a customization pro

With your mastery of the stages of the interior design process, your next project will be a breeze. 

As you encounter different design projects, know that custom rugs are available to help add extra uniqueness to every room. Check out our full catalog of custom rugs that can be made into a variety of shapes and sizes. Happy decorating!