How Long an Interior Design Project Takes
On average a full interior design project takes 45 to 60 working days. If you are planning a renovation, the design project needs to be dealt with in advance: the earlier you come to a designer, the calmer the run-up to the build will be. Below I explain what the timeline depends on and what can be done if time is short.
What determines the timeline of an interior design project
Several things:
- The floor area and the number of rooms. The larger the area and the more functional spaces there are, the longer the project takes. A one-bedroom apartment of 30 m² takes far less time than a 300 m² house.
- How fast decisions are made, and how many revisions there are. I allow a set amount of working time for each part of the job, but the timeline also depends on the client: how quickly decisions are taken, how available the client is during the work, how many changes come in along the way. If I allowed 2 to 3 days for the layout and we end up with 10 versions rather than 1, that stage will take several times longer than the 2 to 3 days planned.
- The style of the interior. An English classic interior takes considerably longer than a minimalist one of the same size.
The contract runs for a minimum of 2 months on the smallest properties, and the actual design timeline is calculated individually, depending on the task and the volume of work.
What to do if the clock is against you
In exceptional cases I can change the order of work to accommodate you and get the build started sooner. This is agreed case by case, and I will explain in detail what complications may arise.
Here is what I can do when time is short and the build has to start as soon as possible:
- begin the 3D sketches at the layout stage, so that you can see the volume of the rooms and the arrangement of the furniture more clearly. In that case the furniture used is standard and approximate;
- start the working drawings straight after the layout is approved, which lets construction begin sooner;
- in that case the furniture and materials are chosen while the build is already under way.
This is not the right way to do it, it is a forced option, and it brings its own difficulties. I go into this in more detail in the article on why renovating in parallel with the design work is not a very good idea.
To understand the process better, I also recommend reading about the stages of an interior design project and about the payment stages. If you are still choosing which service you need, see what a design project includes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to develop an interior design project?
On average a full design project takes 45 to 60 working days. The exact timeline depends on the floor area, the number of rooms, the chosen style and how quickly the client makes decisions.
Why should the design project be commissioned in advance?
Design takes several weeks, and the start of the build depends on it. The earlier you commission the project, the more time is left for choosing materials and furniture calmly, and the lower the risk of delays.
What does the timeline depend on?
Primarily on the area and the number of rooms, on how quickly decisions are made and how many revisions there are, and on the chosen style: classic interiors need more time than minimalist ones.
Can the project be speeded up if the deadline is tight?
In exceptional cases the order of work can be changed, for example by starting the working drawings straight after the layout is approved. It is a forced option with its own complications, and it is discussed case by case.
