Interior designer or architect?

Interior designer or architect?

For this weeks blog, I want to cover the common question that I get asked time and time again, should I use an Interior designer or architect? I previous covered this in my budgeting webisode, which you can check out on my YouTube channel

The urge to re-vamp or change our homes.

After all this time in our homes, it is no surprise that as we ease out of lock-down, we are desperate to start to improve our homes. Weeks of staring at the problem areas in our spaces, has given us the drive to make some changes.

For some of us the changes involve a whole house move. This week I have received many calls from clients about to complete on houses. They are desperate to get the ball rolling and begin renovating!

The cosmetic re-vamp

The question I commonly get asked is “if I’m using an architect do I need an interior designer or if I’m using an interior designer do I need an architect”? Well this is obviously dependant on your project. Let’s start with the cosmetic upgrade. If you are purely changing the property cosmetically, with no extensions or structural changes, then use an interior designer.

When we are involved in a cosmetic revamp, you don’t need an architect to be involved. We produce floor plans, elevation plans and lighting and electrical plans for the required spaces. We spend a great amount of time building a report with our clients, gaining a deep understanding of what’s important in their lives, which we translate into bespoke designs. Then we manage all procurement, project management, bespoke detailing and installation and styling.

The Structural changes and adding extensions

For my clients who are looking to either extend or change the property structurally, I recommend using both an architect and an interior designer. Why? because I think it is so important to use an architect, who is skilled in structural additions and changes, understands planning restrictions and who can work cohesively with structural engineers.

By also using an interior designer, we combine the structural alterations, spacial planning, project management, sourcing and implementing. Combining the two expertise, saves you time and stress. We also often save you money, as we can stretch your budget and avoid you making costly mistakes.

Who comes first the architect or the interior designer?

Very simply, both! We collaborate and recommend architects to our clients, as we know they produce excellent work. By collaborating from the very start of a project, we can discuss and understand the space together.

For the interior designer, it allows us to understand the technicalities and the reasons for the architects spacial planning. For the architect, we zoom in on every detail of each space. This can influence design aspects such as door or window positions, kitchen layouts, storage options and even positioning of structural columns.

This week we have several exciting extensions and renovations beginning. I will be visiting the sites with an architect I collaborate with. Together we will combine our professionalism and skills to create spaces that are carefully considered and thought out from very aspect.

If you are looking to start a project then we would love to hear from you, so please get in touch!