Designing a room for new furniture is exciting and fun, but it’s also a thoughtful and detailed process. People come to work with us for several reasons but usually it’s because it’s just too overwhelming for people to bring a room together on their own, especially when they have no interest, inclination or time to do it themselves. There are lots of moving parts, small details and important considerations that you may not have thought of or thought through. This article gives you insight into what our process is for designing a room for new furniture and furnishings. It’s a peek into our step-by-step approach that ensures a seamless transformation from concept to reality.

STAGE ONE

1. Meet the Client

Every project starts with a conversation. I meet with my client to understand their needs, preferences, lifestyle, and vision for the room. This is the foundation that guides every decision moving forward.

2. Site Measure

Next, we take precise measurements. This step is crucial for ensuring that every piece of furniture fits perfectly and complements the room's proportions. Accurate measurements help avoid future headaches and allow for a more informed design process. If you’re designing a room for yourself, it also helps avoid costly mistakes like buying furniture the wrong size.

3. Create the Inspiration Board

With the client’s preferences in mind, we create an inspiration board. This contains images that help depict the style/look/direction that we are taking with the look of the room. This could include textures, colours, and furniture styles. This visual guide sets the tone for the entire design and ensures the client’s aesthetic is captured from the start. It's where ideas begin to take shape and come to life.

4. Client Approval on Inspiration Board

Once the inspiration board is ready, we present it to the client for approval. This is an important collaborative step where feedback is gathered to refine the vision. The client’s input here helps steer the design direction moving forward. Below is an example of one we created recently for a bedroom makeover we have on the go right now.

LEMAN_INSPIRATION BOARD_2_INSPIRATION.jpg

STAGE TWO

5. Create the Design Concept

Here’s where the fun really starts. With the client’s approval on the inspiration board, we dive into the full design concept. This step includes:

Building a 3D model of the room to visualize the furniture arrangement and layout.
Exporting renders to give the client a lifelike preview of the final look.
Creating design documentation, which includes furniture dimensions, placement, and specific details.
Gathering material samples such as fabrics, finishes, and color swatches to present to the client for tactile approval.
Review the costs of the items that we are proposing for the client, ensuring that we are within the client’s budget.

6. Present the Concept to the Client

After crafting the design concept, I present it to the client in full detail. This is where they can explore the model, review the material samples, and see the renders of their newly designed room. I walk them through the design to ensure everything aligns with their vision. We also review the budget and proposed costs to ensure the client is happy with the cost of the items we are looking at.

7. Make Changes (If Required)

If the client has any tweaks or adjustments, I refine the design accordingly. This stage ensures the project is tailored to their specific needs and preferences before moving into the next phase.

8. Get Final Approval

Once all changes have been incorporated, I get the client’s final approval on the design and final costs. This step is a green light to start bringing the design into reality. This step also involves doing a final marking out of the furniture going into the space, so there are not surprises once the furniture arrives and that the clients is happy with the placement.

STAGE THREE

9. Start Purchasing

With the design locked in, we begin purchasing the selected furniture and materials. I work with trusted suppliers to ensure high-quality pieces that match the design vision. Wherever possible the client would have been to see these pieces in person or at the very least, seen and touched samples of the materials these items are made of (fabrics, timber, stone etc).

10. Coordinate Deliveries

Next, we coordinate all deliveries, ensuring that the furniture and furnishings arrive on time and in perfect condition. We manage the logistics, so the client doesn’t have to worry about communicating with the various suppliers. We take that all in hand so our clients have a single point of communication for everything they are purchasing. Where we can, we work to time all the deliveries for the one day and are on hand to accept these deliveries. This doesn’t always work perfectly but this is what we always work towards.

11. Install the Room

Once everything is delivered, it’s time for the installation. This is where the room is transformed, and the design comes to life as the new furniture is arranged according to the plan. We style the space and make it beautiful for our clients to come home to. Here are a few rooms that we have done this for.

12. Resolve Any Deficiencies

After installation, I conduct a thorough check to resolve any issues. If any items arrived damaged or didn’t fit as expected, I take care of replacements or adjustments. If our clients have any concerns we work through them until they’re happy.

13. Hand Over Product Care Manual

Finally, I provide the client with a product care manual. This includes care instructions for the new furniture, so they can maintain their beautiful space for years to come. This is often kept online and in a printed version for the client to keep on hand and reference when needed.

This structured process allows me to deliver a cohesive, well-executed design that meets our client’s needs while ensuring every detail is carefully thought out. Designing a room isn’t just about picking furniture—it’s about creating a space that reflects the client’s lifestyle and vision, with every step bringing us closer to that perfect final result. So the next time you’re looking to give a room an overhaul, why not try taking this step by step approach to ensure you finish up with a room that looks amazing and that you will love. If this seems all too much work, then reach out to us, we would love to help.

Tam x

How We Design A Room: Three Stages