I recently noticed a book in a local bookshop called ‘Interior Design is NOT Decoration and other Other Ideas’. This book resonated with me because so many people don’t really understand the extent of interior design. One misunderstood element of interior design is design implementation. Here’s how to implement your design vision.
What’s your interior design vision?
To implement your design vision you need to know what your design vision is. The first step in creating an interior design vision is establishing an interior design strategy.
An interior design strategy encompasses, defining your style goal and choosing a colour scheme.
Your interior design vision can include some or all of the following; new furniture and furnishings.
New fittings and fixtures such as pendant lighting or changing the door handles. It could also include changing the flooring. For example, removing carpet and replacing it with floor boards.
The surfaces of your room could also be changed to achieve your interior design vision. Consider options like a new paint color, a feature wall, paneling, wallpaper, or simply an art gallery wall.
Additionally, if you’re changing the furniture layout, you may need to change the electrical and lighting plan. For example, moving power points and aerial points.
Window treatments may include curtains and blinds. They can be part of the changes you make to achieve your interior design vision.
As an interior designer, all of the components above form the creative or design part of the interior design process. They are usually presented to the client in the form of a moodboard. A specifications list, and sometimes (but not always), a 3D render and a 2D floor plan are also included.
Once the specifications for the design vision are approved the next stage is design implementation.
How to successfully implement your design vision
Successful implementation of your design vision requires planning. Design implementation is part of the interior design process. An interior designer plays a vital role in this stage of the project.
Design implementation may be as simple as purchasing pieces. For this you will need to get rid of old pieces, receive, unpack, assemble and install the new piece.
Unless there is damage which will require further action with the supplier. But, if your design vision is more involved than buying furniture and furnishings you need to project manage trades.
Trades such as painter, electrician, flooring installer and or window treatment installer. Do you know which trade comes first?
When engaging trades, you need to plan the timings of completed work. This planning ensures there are few idle days. It helps keep the work moving.
Clear communication with your trades is important before planning and scheduling them. Always factor in a time contingency. While we want things to go to plan, they don’t always.
If there is a delay, you might need to store any purchases until the space is ready for furniture installation.
Design implementation requires thought and planning. It is necessary regardless of the size of the logistical part of realising your interior design vision. So that you can implement your design vision seamlessly for the stunning result your imagined.
