What do people mean when they talk about Interior Design?
How to get past the jargon to figure out what service is right for you.
Interior design is a term that means different things to different people. For some, it is part of a big design and build team working on a large-scale commercial site. For others, it is about tweaking an existing room so it actually works, maybe by shifting a few pieces around, adding some colour, or bringing in the right lighting.
To help make sense of it all, here is a breakdown of the different types of interior design services out there so you can work out what fits your needs best. Not all design studios offer all four services, but knowing the type of services available will help you figure out which one is right for you.
1. One off consultation
This is the light-touch service. You book a single session or maybe a couple with a designer to pick their brain, get some direction and feel more confident in what you are doing. A one off consultation is perfect if you are planning to do most of the work yourself but just need someone to help shape the plan.
You might talk colour palettes, layout options, brands worth looking at, or even go through your existing shopping list together. You will leave with solid ideas and a bit of a roadmap. This is a great place to start, especially if you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed but there is no follow-up project management or installation included.
At AMC Design, we call this our Troubleshooting Consultation, and clients have loved it when they have already done the heavy lifting and the extension is already built, but it is not quite right, or when they are starting a kitchen refresh but need some direction.
And, if you then decide you need a bit more help from us, you can move on to the full service design.
2. Design only
With this option, you get a full design scheme with everything planned out and documented. This usually includes drawings, samples, a detailed shopping list and a visual of what the space will look like. The difference is, once the design has been delivered, you are in charge of making it happen.
That means ordering everything, booking the trades, handling deliveries and overseeing the install. It works well if you want a cohesive, well-designed space and you are happy to run the project day to day, and have a team of good tradespeople who you can call on, to make sure the right person is on site at the right time.
3. Remote design/e-design
This one has become more popular over the past decade, especially for smaller projects or clients who are not local. It is usually a design-only package, done without any in-person visits.
You send over a brief, some photos and accurate measurements. The designer sends back a full design pack you can run with. It is budget-friendly and gives you the freedom to manage trades and sourcing yourself. This is a great service if you are confident doing the legwork and just need a solid plan to follow.
4. Full-service interior design
This is where the interior designer takes care of the whole thing from initial ideas to a detailed concept and then design, developing a complete scheme that reflects your style and your lifestyle. The designer will prepare scaled drawings, visualisations and will prepare a sample tray to illustrate the planned finishes, along with a full schedule of furnishings, fixtures and fittings.
Once the design is signed off, next comes the delivery phase. On our projects, we handle all the sourcing, ordering, logistics, and installation. This includes managing suppliers and trades, booking in deliveries, checking everything as it arrives, and sorting problems before they land on your lap. We are on site when we need to be and we stay in regular contact with contractors to keep everything running smoothly.
At the end, we take care of the final styling so the space feels complete. We place artwork, dress shelves, style cushions and make sure the room looks finished and feels personal. You never walk into a half-done space or find yourself chasing the last bits weeks later. We do it all.
This service is best for people who are busy or who just do not want the stress of managing a project themselves. It is also ideal for larger renovations where things can easily get overwhelming. You will still be involved where it counts, but we will carry the project so you do not have to.
But which service is for you?
Not all designers offer all these services and designers tend to specialise. Here at AMC Design, we are happy to offer our one off Troubleshooting Consultations if our full service offering isn’t right for that particular project.
After an initial chat, we agree with our clients whether our stand alone Troubleshooting Consultation is the right service for them, or whether the Design Service is what they need. The Design Service starts with our Interior Design Consultation during which we delve into the project brief, establishing the parametres of the project and discussing how to bring it all to life. It’s all about finding the right service for that client.
If you would like a chat about what level of service is right for you, give us a call on 01943 700125. Or if you would like to check out some of our past projects, click on the link to see our portfolio.