If you're wondering who you should hire for your home, you're not alone. When building a custom new home, many people may not know whether it's best to hire an architect or an interior designer.
You may think that because I'm an interior designer I'm about to say, "Always hire a designer," but that's not the case. Whether or not you need a designer or architect depends on your specific circumstances. What's right for you, may not be right for others.
Both professionals play a critical role in the construction of a home, but their functions are different.
So what are the differences in roles between an architect and interior designer?
How do you do which is right for your project?
And is there any time when having both on your build team is beneficial?
In this blog post, we will examine when it’s best to hire an architect and interior designer for your custom home project.
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When to Hire an Architect
If you are building a custom home from scratch, it’s essential to hire an architect. An excellent architect will understand your vision and what you want for your home. The architect will first visit the site and conduct an evaluation to understand the environmental and architectural context.
After this phase, the architect will help you with the floor plans, foundation, framing details, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, energy efficiency, and other critical aspects of the construction process.
An architect can also help you obtain the necessary permits from the local government authorities before starting your project. (This is also often done by your general contractor.)
In (very) general terms, an architect will ensure you have an actual habitable building to live in.
When to Hire an Interior Designer
An interior designer’s role is to ensure that you have a beautifully designed and functional space to live in. When your architect finishes the structural plan, an interior designer can then work with this plan to make the best use of the space.
Often, by hiring an interior designer early in the process, they can work in conjunction with your architect to plan for design elements that might be effected by electrical and mechanical systems.
Interior designers focus on the details of daily living and functionality for the occupants, while architects focus on the home's functions.
An interior designer will also help you choose all the finishes, lighting, and furnishings that match your lifestyle and taste. They will also ensure that these aesthetics elements will work for you and serve you best.
An interior designer will work closely with your architect, builder, and other contractors to ensure that everything runs smoothly. They will keep the project on schedule to ensure the timely completion of your luxury home.
Again, in (very) general terms, an interior designer will make the spaces functional and personalize the finishes.
The Benefits of Hiring Both an Architect and Interior Designer
Hiring both an architect and interior designer can result in the perfect synergy of both worlds.
Architects ensure that the structure is safe, strong, and functional, while an interior designer designs the space and ensures that it’s beautiful, functional, and meets your lifestyle needs.
When you have both professionals working together, your project’s final result will be a beautiful, functional, and luxurious home tailored to your preference. It’ll be a perfect balance of form and function, aesthetics, and engineering.
Final Thoughts
When building your dream home, hiring either an architect or interior designer can make for a successful outcome. The architect will provide you with a well-thought-out design, and the interior designer will take that design to the next level by adding their creativity.
When both professionals work together, they can help you achieve your desired outcome of a high-quality, functional, and well-spaced home.
Whether it’s a new building or a renovation, hiring both an architect and interior designer can make all the difference. With their help, you can create the home where family memories for generations will be created.
Did you know I studied both architecture and interior design? If you're ready to have someone who understands home building processes and prioritizes your needs, schedule a complimentary Discovery Call and let's chat today!
Stay well and be inspired,
Hi, I'm Amy, and I help clients design their dream home. With streamlined interior design services that focus on personalized designs and project management, we'll take the stress out of building a new home or large renovation project. Let's create a home that is designed perfectly for you and make your dream home a reality.