How to Work with a Home Designer: What You Need to Know

Apr 14

If your home is starting to feel cramped, outdated, or just not working for your lifestyle anymore, you might be considering a renovation—or even building something new. Either way, one of the best decisions you can make is hiring a home designer to guide you through the process. But what exactly does a home designer do? And how do you work with one to make sure your home fits your family’s life, not just your Pinterest board. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Work with a Home Designer?

When you’re juggling kids, careers, and everything in between, making big decisions about your home can feel overwhelming. A home designer helps take the guesswork out of it.

As an Home Designer, I do more than pick paint colors. I blend form and function—helping you create a home that looks beautiful and works for your family’s day-to-day needs. Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, rethinking your home’s layout, or building from the ground up, a designer/fairy godmother, will help bring clarity, creativity, and expert guidance to your project.

What Does the Process Look Like?

Every project is unique, but most follow a similar flow. Here's what it's like to work with me —step by step:

1. Design Consultation

All successful relationships starts with a first date. During this first meeting, we’ll talk about your family’s lifestyle, what’s working (and what’s not) in your current home, and your goals for the future. Whether you're leaning toward building or renovating, this is where we define the big picture and get to know each other. It’s also a great time to ask questions and explore ideas. I spend a lot of time listening and getting to know you. Sometimes this is the first of many meetings throughout my process. But sometimes people just want a design brain to bounce ideas off of, if that’s you, then this is the meeting you book, and you get me and my design brain for 3 hours. We talk about your space and all of its potential. You will leave that meeting with a plan for your space to execute on your own.

2. Concept Design

This is where the vision starts to take shape. Based on everything we discussed in the consultation, I’ll create initial concepts for your space. Think floor plan ideas, layout changes, 3D models, and inspiration images that capture the look and feel you’re going for. This phase is highly collaborative—we’ll meet several times to refine the concept together until it feels just right.

3. Construction Drawings

Once the design concept is finalized, it’s time to translate that vision into buildable plans. Since I have a background in architectural design, I’ll develop detailed construction drawings that your contractor or builder can use to execute the work. These plans ensure everything from structural changes to lighting layouts are clearly defined and up to code. After the construction drawings are complete, I can also assist with permit submissions for your project.

4. Interior & Exterior Finishing

Now comes the creative fun—selecting finishes that bring personality and polish to your home. We’ll choose all of the different elements thats needed for your project. Everything from flooring and paint colors to siding, roofing materials, and trim styles. Every detail is selected with your family’s style, durability needs, and budget in mind.

5. Fixture & Furniture Selection

The final layer is what makes your home feel truly you. I’ll help you choose fixtures like lighting, hardware, faucets, and even furniture if needed. These finishing touches tie everything together and ensure your home not only functions beautifully but feels cohesive, welcoming, and personal.

6. Project Coordination

Depending on the scope of the project, I can also help oversee the execution—from site visits to working directly with trades. The goal is to keep the project on track and ensure the final result matches the original vision.

If you are the type of person, that the thought of having to do anything for your renovation or custom build project and want a designer to take the reins and take care of everything with as little involvement as possible, well I can help with that too!

How to Get the Most Out of the Process

Working with a home designer should feel exciting—not stressful. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your collaboration:

Be clear on your budget. Your designer can help you make smart choices that maximize impact while staying within your limits.
Know your lifestyle needs. Think about how you use your home every day—do you need a homework nook? More storage? A mudroom to corral backpacks and soccer cleats?
Trust the process. Your designer is there to help you, not pressure you. It’s okay to ask questions, express concerns, or need time to think things through.
Stay open to ideas. A great designer might suggest solutions you hadn’t considered—and that’s a good thing!!

Final Thoughts

Whether you're building your dream home from scratch or making your current space more livable, a home designer is your partner in creating a space that works for your real life. Especially for families with young children, a well-designed home can make daily routines smoother, reduce stress, and give everyone room to grow.

Ready to Get Started?

Let’s talk! Book a free discovery call with me to explore how we can create a home that truly supports your family’s lifestyle. And don’t forget—when you subscribe to my email list, you’ll also get my free guide: “The 5 Biggest Renovation Mistakes I See (and How to Avoid Them)”.

Click [here] to book your call and [here] to grab your guide today. I can’t wait to hear about your project!