Thinking of Hiring an Interior Designer? Here’s What to Expect from the Renovation Process …

Embarking on a home transformation is both exciting and daunting. Whether you’re considering a full renovation or a room makeover, partnering with an interior designer can turn your vision into reality. But what does this collaboration entail? Here’s a comprehensive guide to the interior design process, enriched with insights from Orli Interiors’ approach.

1. Initial Design Consultation: Laying the Foundation

The journey begins with an initial consultation, a pivotal meeting where we will discuss:

Your Lifestyle and Needs: How do you use your space daily? What challenges do you face, and what improvements are you seeking?

Aesthetic Preferences: Share your style inspirations, favourite colours, and design elements you admire.

Budget and Timeline: Establishing a clear budget and timeline ensures the project aligns with your expectations.

At Orli Interiors, this consultation is an opportunity to delve into your project and explore various aspects together. During this 90-minute meeting, Nikki visits your home to gain a firsthand understanding of your space, discussing elements such as project scope, lifestyle, functional requirements, budget considerations, and aesthetic preferences. 

2. Defining the Scope of Work: Setting Clear Expectations

Post-consultation, the designer outlines the project’s scope within a detailed fee proposal:

Project Requirements: Specific areas to address, such as kitchen redesigns, bathroom renovations, or whole-home makeovers.

Services Provided: From conceptual design to project coordination, understanding the designer’s role is crucial. At Orli Interiors we offer an end-to-end service, leaving the client to focus on family, work and the myriad of life’s demands!

Budget and Timeline: A realistic plan with a detailed suggested budget that aligns with your financial and scheduling constraints.

This clarity ensures both parties have a mutual understanding, paving the way for a smooth collaboration.

3. Concept Development: Bringing Ideas to Life

With a defined scope, the designer crafts a tailored concept, presenting:

Inspirational Imagery: Visuals that capture the desired ambiance and style.

Mood Boards: Visual compilations showcasing colour schemes, materials, and textures.

Space Planning: Preliminary layouts illustrating furniture and joinery arrangements and spatial flow.

Detailed Floor Plans and Elevations: During this phase of work and in collaboration with the client, more precise kitchen, bathroom and joinery drawings are compiled that guide construction. These drawings are suitable for a  builder and trades to provide initial project estimates before moving into specification phase in order to help guide the selection process.

3D Rendering: A full 3D model of the proposed spaces or home with conceptual finishes in terms of flooring, tiles, stone and so forth – giving the client a clear visual representation of the final outcome.

4. Design Development: Detailing the Vision

Advancing from conceptual work, the designer delves into the specifics:

Material and Finish Selections: Choosing tiles, stone, cabinetry, flooring, upholstery and colours that align with the design vision. These are presented in formal schedules for each trade to work from.

Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment: Selecting everything from taps to kitchen appliances and lighting fixtures to door hardware, your interior designer has all of these decisions in hand to create a cohesive design throughout the home.

Trade Quotes: Briefing trades to obtain accurate quotes based on suggested specifications.

Furniture Selection: Curating pieces that complement the overall aesthetic and functionality while leveraging industry connections to find quality items within your budget.

This phase transforms abstract ideas into actionable plans, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision.

At Orli Interiors, our focus is on creating beautiful homes for better living. Our designs aim to enhance lifestyles, turning homes into personal sanctuaries, while offering a service that saves the client time, money and stress through a smoother, more efficient renovation process without the headache of decision fatigue and project overwhelm.

5. Budgeting and Procurement: Managing Resources Wisely

Effective budgeting and procurement are vital. The designer assists by:

Sourcing Materials and Furnishings: Leveraging industry connections to find quality items within your budget.

Obtaining Quotes: Gathering estimates from suppliers and contractors to inform financial decisions.

Overseeing Orders: Managing the procurement process to ensure timely and accurate deliveries.

Orli Interiors specialises in delivering comprehensive end-to-end services for new builds and home renovations, assisting clients in overcoming challenges by offering expert guidance and support throughout the entire process. 

6. Project Coordination: Managing the Transformation

For projects involving construction or significant alterations, the designer often takes on a project coordination role, handling:

Liaison with Contractors and Tradespeople: Ensuring all parties work harmoniously towards the shared vision and ensuring the design intent is understood.

Timeline Management: Keeping the project on schedule to meet agreed-upon deadlines.

Quality Control: Monitoring workmanship to maintain high standards.

This ensures the project progresses smoothly, allowing you to focus on daily life without the stress of managing the multiple facets of the renovation process.

As the project nears completion:

Installation: Furniture and accessories are placed according to the agreed spatial plan.

Styling: Final touches, such as artwork and décor, are added to bring the space to life.

Walkthrough: The designer guides you through the transformed space, ensuring every detail meets your expectations.

At Orli Interiors, the goal is to create spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical for daily living, transforming houses into comfortable family homes. 

Why Choose Orli Interiors?

Nikki, the founder of Orli Interiors, brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for interior design. Living with her family on the stunning Northern Beaches of Sydney, she focuses on crafting enduring spaces that people can truly call home—places to be enjoyed every day, uniquely reflecting their personalities. 

One client shared, “After transforming our entrance hall and study, we engaged Nikki to turn her hand to our 3 bedrooms and second lounge. The result has been fantastic, converting these previously bland and empty rooms into warm, fun, relaxing spaces that we love spending time in.” 

Final Thoughts

Working with an interior designer on your renovation project isn’t just about creating a beautiful space — it’s about making the entire process more efficient, enjoyable, and stress-free. An experienced designer understands how to tackle common pain points, from saving time and money by avoiding costly mistakes to reducing the stress and overwhelm that often come with renovation projects. They streamline decision-making, offering expert guidance to prevent decision fatigue, and manage the complexities of the process so you don’t have to. By partnering with a professional, you’re not just investing in your home; you’re investing in a smoother, more efficient journey toward creating a space that reflects your unique style and meets your family’s practical needs.

Ready to embark on your design journey? Contact Orli Interiors here and take the first step towards creating a home you’ll love for years to come.