Lisa Elliott Interior Design

Hiring an Interior Designer in Melbourne can feel like a big decision, but the benefits of working with one, especially for luxury or custom projects, are invaluable. Whether you’re considering the best interior designers Melbourne has to offer or wondering, “Should I hire an interior designer to renovate my house?”,  the key to a successful design process begins with a great brief.

A well-crafted brief is essential to ensure that both your Architect and Interior Designer can bring your vision to life seamlessly. So, how do you get started?

1. Understand Your Goals

Before diving into the design specifics, think about your main priorities. What do you want to achieve with your project? Are you looking to create a functional family space that will support your evolving needs, a relaxing retreat that feels like a holiday at home, or a contemporary, stylish home that is designed to support your lifestyle and wellbeing? Whether it’s renovating your home or building a custom home from the ground up, identifying your goals helps your design team shape a plan tailored to your needs.

Questions to ask yourself:

• What are the primary goals of Your project?
• How do You envision living in or using the space?

2. Coordinate with the Architect’s Vision

Since your Architect is shaping the structural and spatial elements, your brief should align with their architectural plans. Ensure your Interior Designer understands how the interior should complement the architecture, whether that means highlighting key architectural features or creating harmony & flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Key collaboration points:

• How the interior design will flow with the architectural layout
• Key architectural features you want to emphasise
• The functional relationship between rooms and spaces

3. Provide Visual Inspiration

It’s important to provide your interior designer with a clear idea of your design style. Whether you prefer modern, minimalist, traditional, or eclectic interiors, ensure you communicate this clearly. 

Your designer will need an idea of your style preferences, so gather images from magazines, books, Pinterest, or any source of inspiration that reflects your taste. This allows your team to create a cohesive vision for your home renovation or new build.

Details to include:

• Preferred colour palettes, materials & textures
• Inspiration for other projects or designs you admire
• Any key furniture or fixtures you want to incorporate

4. Define How You Use the Space

Every architecturally designed home has practical considerations, from spatial planning to integrating technology and sustainability. Be sure to discuss your specific functional needs with your interior designer, whether it’s storage solutions, authentic & natural materials, or lighting.

Consider how your lifestyle might impact the design. How do you plan to use each room? What are the flow and functionality requirements? These details are essential to ensure the design is practical and enhances your daily life.

Things to specify:

• Number of rooms and their intended uses
• Specific requirements for functionality (eg., home office, entertainment space, home gym)
• Any eco-friendly materials or sustainable features you want included

5. Set Your Budget & Timeline

Having a clear budget upfront is vital for both your Architect and Interior Designer. When you’re hiring one of the best interior designers in Melbourne, you’ll want to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding project scope and budget to avoid surprises later on.

Budgeting is one of the most important aspects of creating a brief. Clearly outline your expectations of the level of quality for furnishings & materials. This will help your interior designer develop a budget for materials, fixtures & furnishings, and then make informed decisions and ensure that all selections are realistic for your project.

Important questions to address:

• What is the budget for your project?
• Are there any specific deadlines or milestones for completion.
• Do you have an holidays planned that may affect decision making & timelines?

6. Long-Term Vision

If you’re designing a home that you intend to stay in long-term, think about how your needs may evolve over time. This will help your Interior Designer plan for a design that not only meets your current needs but can adapt to future changes in your lifestyle.

Points to consider:

• Do you envision changes in family size or usage over time?
• How do you want the space to age with you?

Why it’s important to hire your Interior Designer early

Bringing your Interior Designer on board from the outset of the project is a key factor in achieving a more integrated process and successful end result. Getting your team aligned early ensures that the architecture and interior design are cohesive, and any potential challenges are addressed ahead of time.

Schedule a Peer Review with your Interior Designer

Schedule a Peer Review with me during the early stages of working with your architect. In a Peer Review, I cam offer constructive feedback on the interior design, assess indoor (& outdoor) living spaces, provide practical furniture layouts, analyse flow through the space, and offer preliminary advice on materials selections. Consider scheduling a Peer Review with me early in your work with your architect. This early collaboration sets a strong foundation for the project, ensuring the project flows seamlessly from the start.

Let Your Architect focus on what they do best

Designing your interiors in the detail they deserve gives your Architect the time and space to focus on the built form of your home. Town planning, environmental design, and building regulations are increasing complex and time consuming to navigate. By engaging a specialist Interior Designer, you allow your Architect to excel in their areas of expertise, ensuring the overall project meets its full potential.

Final Thoughts

A strong brief is the foundation of a successful collaboration between your Architect, Interior Designer and Builder. By clearly articulating your vision, practical needs, and preferences, you can ensure that your project stays on track and that your Interior Designer can bring your home to life with ease and creativity.

At Lisa Elliott Interior Design, I specialise in working hand-in-hand with Architects and Builders to deliver sophisticated, functional spaces that reflect your lifestyle and values. Let me help you transform your ideals into a beautifully designed reality!

Warm Regards,

Lisa Elliott

I understand the importance of exceptional design when creating high-end, luxury spaces. Booking a Discovery Call with us gives you the opportunity to:

1. Collaborate on Your Vision: Share your project goals and creative vision. I’ll work with you to ensure the design integrates seamlessly with your architectural plan.
2. Anticipate Design Challenges: I’ll help you navigate potential challenges, like budget or construction complexities, to ensure your project runs smoothly.
3. Align on Process: Understand how I work, from concept development to detailed documentation, and ensure my approach supports your project timeline and quality standards.
4. Build the Right Partnership: A Discovery Call is a great way to see if I’m the right fit for your project, offering expertise that aligns with your design goals.

Let’s start a conversation and explore how we can bring your vision to life.

“We think you are unbelievably thorough and trust you can run a job from start to finish which is invaluable…we will be working on something [more] together soon”

Concept CI – Ben Mensink

So, why Hire an Interior Designer?

Many clients often overlook the value of hiring a professional interior designer, especially when embarking on high-end or complex builds. Some may believe that working solely with a builder and selecting finishes as they go will suffice. However, without a cohesive design vision, this often results in last-minute decisions, limited choices, and unforeseen costs due to changes or variations not accounted for by the builder.

Collaborating with a qualified interior designer from the start allows for strategic planning, ensuring that every aspect—layouts, finishes, and furnishings—are meticulously designed to align with both function and aesthetics. You’ll receive detailed drawings and material selections early on, allowing for competitive quoting and eliminating guesswork.

Beyond aesthetics, you require a highly trained, registered interior designer, particularly for complex luxury residential and commercial projects. This is not just about having a “good eye” for design; it’s about ensuring spaces meet regulatory standards, timelines, and a vision that enhances the overall architecture.

By working with a professional, you ensure a seamless process that saves both time and money while delivering a final product that matches your project goals.

(please pin the below graphic to your Pinterest board for reference)

(please pin the below graphic to your Pinterest board for reference)

(please pin the below graphic to your Pinterest board for reference)

Image: Omar Rodriguez @ormphotography