How to Know Whether Full-Service or Online Interior Design is the Best Choice
TRADITIONAL WHYMSICAL HOME RENO - LISA GILMORE DESIGN
FULL-SERVICE INTERIOR DESIGN
When deciding where to eat lunch, some people may gravitate toward Panera Bread. Others may prefer The Capital Grille.
There is nothing wrong with either restaurant, and you are sure to get fresh and delicious food no matter which you choose. But some individuals may find that Panera better satisfies their needs and expectations and others may say the same of The Capital Grille.
The same is true when choosing a furniture showroom stylist, interior decorator, individual interior designer, or interior design firm.
Though many designers can create, or help you create, beautiful finished spaces, the level of service, expertise, and quality they provide can differ greatly.
5 Primary Types of Interior Design Services
The most common types of interior design services are full-service design, online design, design consultations, interior decorating, and furniture showroom design.
Full-Service Interior Design
Full-service interior design firms offer white-glove service for their clients. This option requires the least work from a homeowner and is the perfect turn-key solution for busy professionals with little spare time or desire to manage their own projects.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design
Full-service firms fill many roles, including:
Creators who look at an existing space and envision what it could look like and what elements it needs to become a masterpiece. They create several items, including:
a detailed vision of the design
fully thought out room boards, floor plans, and elevations
a full scope of work and a spec book for construction teams to follow
procurement and logistics of every single item presented
And, in Lisa Gilmore Design's case, hand-drawn illustrations of key rooms within the design.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design
Sourcers work with a highly curated list of vendors, craftsmen, and artisans from around the globe who are carefully sourced, with whom we often have long-standing relationships that ensure an impeccable end product and endless opportunities for customization.
Installers who carefully place every item in the space to create the finished look.
Project managers who work to keep a project on time and budget and coordinate with vendors such as contractors and tradespeople.
It is truly full service in every sense of the word.
drawing Lisa Gilmore Design
Online Interior Design
Online interior design, also sometimes known as virtual design or e-design, has become increasingly popular since the beginning of the pandemic when many interior designers were unable to work with clients in person.
A designer providing services online does not visit a home in person or complete any measuring. They rely on a homeowner’s photos, videos, and measurements to get a feel for the space, and then use that information to create a design plan. This plan typically includes a mood board, floor plan, and links to suggested items.
These items will be retail products rather than the custom pieces often used by full-service firms. Then it is the homeowner’s responsibility to execute the design by ordering items and installing everything as dictated by the design plan.
Online interior design can be ideal for homeowners with a smaller budget who are willing to take on a larger portion of the work.
photo Andrew Neel Unsplash
Design Consultations
Design consultations can also be advertised as “design for a day” services. Though “design for a day” services are often performed at a person’s home, consultations can also be conducted virtually.
Interior designers who perform design consultations look at a homeowner’s space and identify problems or opportunities to improve the space. They provide the homeowner with a list of recommendations and solutions and sometimes create a general shopping list of things the homeowner should buy. However, consultations typically do not include a list of specific items to purchase.
Those buying choices are the responsibility of the homeowner. Design consultations may be advantageous for design-savvy homeowners who have a knack for putting together rooms but would like a professional opinion.
photo Getty Images Unsplash
Interior Decorating
Interior decorators are the only providers in this list who may not be formally trained or educated. Many content creators on Instagram and Facebook fall into this category.
Decorators beautify an existing space, but unlike, interior designers, their designs do not include construction or remodeling aspects. They typically excel at refreshing spaces with elements like new paint, furnishings, wall treatments, and home decor.
photo Minh Pham Unsplash
Furniture Showroom Design Services
Many furniture retailers offer design services. Their interior designers provide services similar to design consultations. However, all the products included in their design plans are sourced from their brand(s), which can ultimately lead to a less-than-curated look that lacks personality.
photo Marcus Loke Unsplash
Which interior design firm type is best?
Lisa Gilmore Design is a full-service interior design firm, so obviously, we think that type is the best, especially for busy professionals who are looking for a comprehensive and luxurious interior design solution.
And these are the reasons why.
7 Advantages of Working with a Full-Service Interior Design Firm
You can leverage our well-rounded expertise.
Designers at full-service firms are experts at more than just interior design. We are also knowledgeable about floor plans, construction, sourcing, and textiles. We truly believe in enhancing a space and quality of life through well-executed interior design.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design
You avoid spending hours researching.
We already know the best sources for different pieces and the best price points, so we come to the table with the perfect options for you. This saves you hours scouring the Internet.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design in Paris
You get a unique space.
Unlike online designers, designers who consult, decorators, or furniture designers, full-service interior designer firms fill their clients’ spaces with custom elements that cannot be found anywhere else. The Lisa Gilmore Design team works with our partners to create pieces like custom draperies and linens and locally fabricated furnishings, and we often include antique and vintage pieces that we have purchased over the years.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design
You don’t have to be a logistics expert.
Imagine the logistics expertise required to manage 500+ pieces per project– everything from sofas to fabrics, trim, rugs, door hardware, hinges, and beyond. Items are coming from different places all over the globe, and their progress has to be carefully monitored and managed so they will arrive at a client’s home at the right time. Full-service means we handle all of the sourcing and procurement that is required.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design
You don’t have to manage multiple people.
Busy professionals like high-level executives, doctors, and lawyers do not have the spare time to field questions from designers, contractors, tradespeople, and vendors. Full-service interior design firms provide comprehensive and thorough project management and coordination to ensure that the work is true to the design intent and clear communication with all parties is a priority. We handle many of the construction conversations for you, so you are only contacted when absolutely necessary.
You can avoid unnecessary mistakes.
Novices at renovations can easily make mistakes that impact the project timeline or even the end result. But we have been managing these projects for over 10 years, so we have mastered the process of seeing a project from start to finish. We can spot a problem before it happens and help avoid mistakes or roadblocks.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design
You can rest assured that your investment is being managed well.
Large-scale home improvements like renovations can be costly. It is important to allocate a homeowner’s budget wisely. We ensure that happens by listening to what is most important to our clients, condensing all the options so you can make educated decisions on your purchases for your dream home, and monitoring the budget throughout the process.
photo Lisa Gilmore Design
FAQs
1. What types of interior design firms are there?
Interior design firms can have many different specialties such as commercial design, sustainable design, home restoration, new construction, renovations, and production design for theatre, television, and movies.
2. What are some of the most popular interior design styles?
Though there are many interior design styles, some of the most popular styles in 2023 are mid-century modern, Scandinavian, art deco, traditional, and modern farmhouse.
3. What does full-service interior design include?
Full-service interior design is a white-glove service because firms handle everything for their clients. These design companies create the design, handle procurement, execute the design, and manage all aspects of the project, including coordinating with vendors.
When choosing an interior design professional for your project, it’s important to remember one thing when reviewing a full-service firm’s fees. That investment doesn’t just cover one portion of the project. Unlike other types of interior designers, full-service firms are there throughout the entire life of the project– the creative work, the procurement, the execution, and the management.
If full-service interior design is a good fit for your upcoming project, please fill out our design inquiry form to get started.
To get more tips, see our projects, and find ideas for adding liveable glamour to your home, follow us on Instagram or sign up for our newsletter.