Why the Interior Design Process Matters
When most people think of interior design, they imagine the “after” shot that perfectly polished photographic project reveal. What they don’t see is the months (sometimes years) of work it takes to achieve those images.
Interior design balances creativity with technical expertise. Every glossy reveal is the result of research, planning, sourcing, coordination, and problem-solving. Understanding that process is not only important for the design community, but it’s also essential for clients who may otherwise undervalue the expertise required to make a space both functional and beautiful.
The Unseen Planning Phase
Our journey begins long before a contractor picks up a hammer. Designers spend countless hours meeting with clients, gathering inspiration, researching materials, and considering both lifestyle and architectural constraints. This stage involves developing design concepts, establishing budgets, and outlining schedules. It may not be glamorous, but it is the foundational success of every project.
From Mood Boards to Technical Drawings
After the vision is defined, designers transform ideas into actionable documents. Mood boards capture the aesthetic direction, but technical drawings (floor plans, elevations, lighting plans, and millwork details) allow contractors and tradespeople to execute the vision correctly. This stage represents the bridge between creative inspiration and practical implementation. I like to call it practical magic.
Design Process: The Messy Middle of Execution
The execution phase is where design intent meets reality. It is also where challenges tend to arise, requiring designers to adapt quickly without compromising the original vision.
Coordinating with Trades & Specialists
Coordinating with trades
Professional interior designers often act as project managers, coordinating electricians, plumbers, millworkers, integrators, painters, and furniture installers. Each trade has its priorities and timelines, and it’s the designer’s role to make sure they align with the bigger picture. Clear communication and oversight prevent costly mistakes, which lead to cost overruns.
Managing Deliveries, Delays, and Surprises
Even the most carefully planned projects encounter surprises. Shipments arrive damaged, lead times change, or a hidden structural issue is uncovered. These realities never make it into a styled Instagram photo. The designer’s expertise lies in resolving these issues swiftly, often finding creative solutions that maintain both function and beauty.
Beyond the Reveal: What Clients Don’t See
While the final reveal is celebrated, getting there is often filled with revisions, adjustments, and problem-solving. A design rarely moves from concept to completion without changes. Materials may be discontinued, budgets may shift, or clients may adjust their preferences as they see the design unfold. Under those circumstances, esigners are adjusting while keeping the end goal intact.
Protecting Design Intent Through Challenges
Safeguarding the integrity of the design is a vital but invisible role. Simultaneously sourcing substitutions while not compromising the quality of materials or aesthetics.
Why Transparency Elevates Interior Design
There’s a growing movement within the design community to share not just the polished final images but also the messy, behind-the-scenes process. By being transparent about the complexity of design, professionals can shift the narrative from “decorating pretty spaces” to “managing an intricate, highly skilled process.”
Building Client Trust Through Education
When clients understand what goes into a project, from technical drawings to coordination with trades, they develop a deeper respect for the designer’s role. This transparency helps manage expectations, strengthens relationships, and demonstrates the true value of professional design.
Highlighting the True Value of Expertise
Designers are not simply selecting paint colors or arranging furniture. They are problem-solvers, strategists, and advocates for their clients’ vision. By showcasing the behind-the-scenes work, designers can reinforce why hiring a professional is not an expense, but an investment in quality and peace of mind.
Embracing the Full Journey of Design
The beauty of interior design lies not only in the result but in the journey it takes to get there. While Instagram may capture the styled perfection, the real story is written in the hours of planning, the coordination with dozens of professionals, and the problem-solving required to bring a vision to life.
As a design community, we have the opportunity and perhaps the responsibility to show clients the full picture. By pulling back the curtain and revealing the process as openly as we talk about results, designers can elevate the profession and help clients appreciate design for what it truly is: a complex, creative, and collaborative journey.
Sharon L. Sherman, ASID, NCIDQ, CID, CKD
About Sharon:
Sharon founded Thyme and Place Design, headquartered in Wyckoff, New Jersey, and has been practicing kitchen and bath design for over 20 years across New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Eastern Seaboard. Sharon is Past President of the American Society of Interior Designers, New Jersey chapter, a professional member of ASID, as well as a Certified Interior Designer in New Jersey, and a Certified Kitchen Designer, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Interior Design Community.
She is a current member of the editorial board of KBB Magazine, the official magazine of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Sharon received the Kitchen Bath Design News 2022 Innovator of the Year Award. Her award-winning designs and editorial comments have been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, Design Milk, Furniture Lighting and Decor, Designers Today, Bergen NJ magazine, Kitchen & Bath Design News, Woman’s Day, Country Decorating, Design NJ, New Jersey Home Magazine, 201 Magazine, as well as several books. She has authored the Interior Designers’ Guide to Kitchen and Bath Business Success, available through the website. Sharon is a sought-after conference speaker and CEU provider. You can contact her through the website www.thymeandplacedesign.com.
