Design First, Build Smarter: Our 6-Step Interior Design Process in Action
- wildkindinteriors
- Nov 4
- 5 min read
By Louise Wynne, Founder of WildKind Interiors
I speak a lot on the property networking circuit about the benefits of engaging an interior designer at the start of your development project, not at the end.
Yes, unlike your architect, planning consultant or principal contractor, an interior designer’s work appears to come together towards the end of a build but that doesn’t mean they should be brought in last. Here’s why.
Every project we work on at WildKind Interiors follows the same clear framework: a 6-step interior design process that brings creative direction, commercial focus and clarity to your development.
To show how it works in practice, here’s how we applied it to a recent aparthotel conversion in the Lake District; a beautiful but very tired guesthouse soon to become a collection of luxury short-stay apartments, designed to stand out in a crowded market.
1. Interior Design Site Visit
Every project begins on location. We always make a site visit wherever the development is in the UK.
Why? Two reasons:
A. Understanding the space and location.
Standing in the space gives invaluable insight. Light, proportions, and the feel of the area all feed the design. I always leave a site visit more inspired and better equipped to create something unique.
In the case of the aparthotel, the building had incredible heritage but needed layout improvements and a clear interior identity. Seeing it in person allowed us to assess how light moved, how the space flowed, and how the interior could attract its target market.
B. Adding value early.
An architect’s job is specific, but interior layout optimisation isn’t part of it. An interior designer, however, can add huge value at this stage - improving flow, refining proportions and enhancing guest experience. Spotting potential issues early can prevent costly mistakes.
For example, on another project we discovered kitchen windows were lower than standard worktop height, something that could have caused chaos if found once build had started.
These early insights save time, money and stress. This is an extreme example however we always find several areas that can be improved.
The site visit then informs the General Arrangement (GA) drawings, which you’ll see more on in Step 3.
2. Creative Concept
Back in the studio, we develop the creative concept - two or three design directions presented as mood boards.
For this aparthotel design, we drew inspiration from the surrounding countryside, the building’s character and the client’s brief: a luxury, modern look with classic influences. The chosen concept becomes the design foundation. The consistent thread running through every apartment, corridor and the elegant entrance hallway.
3. Internal Space Planning
With the brand identity in place, the next step is refining the internal layouts through a GA (General Arrangement) drawing.
In interior design and architecture, a GA is a detailed floor plan showing the overall layout and spatial relationships within a building or room. It communicates the intended layout to clients, contractors and consultants before any technical detailing begins.
A GA typically shows:
Room layouts – walls, windows, doors and circulation routes
Furniture and fixtures – kitchens, bathrooms, beds, sofas, etc. (to scale)
Zoning and flow – how people move through the space
Key dimensions and clearances
Orientation and structure – stairs, columns and main features
We consider every aspect of how guests move through the space; where they’ll drop their bag, make their morning coffee or take in the view. Every angle is designed for practicality and perceived value.
The result is a layout that functions beautifully, feels effortless, and photographs well. Ideal for marketing and first impressions.
For developers, a GA plan is invaluable: it highlights inefficiencies and missed opportunities before build costs are fixed. It’s how we make sure every layout enhances user experience and adds commercial value before a single wall is built.
Example GA shown below.
4. Design Development Specification
Here’s where the detail comes to life. Material samples, lighting design, joinery and finishes are developed to suit the scheme’s tone.
At this stage, the chosen concept is expanded across every space. Each room, from living areas and bedrooms to bathrooms and communal zones, has its own design board, showing exactly how the overall look translates in practice. Each board lists everything needed for that space: finishes, lighting, décor, furniture and joinery.
This ensures the design connects across the development while still giving each area its own character. Those layered stone walls, brushed brass fittings and balanced lighting you see in the CGIs weren’t accidents; they were chosen for their visual and psychological impact.
This is where the creative vision becomes something the contractors can actually build - and the end user will want.
5. FF&E Schedule
This stage helps to ensure the design is fully buildable.
Alongside the GA and design development boards, the FF&E Schedule (Fixtures, Furniture & Equipment) gives the contractor everything they need to bring the vision to life.
It lists every specified finishes item for each space, ensuring no details are missed and that everything ties back to the concept. This clarity keeps everyone aligned so what’s built on site matches what was designed in studio.
If you’re still tendering, this documentation is invaluable. Contractors can price accurately rather than estimate. On a recent project, one client saved £100,000 on build costs by having full design specifications in place early, allowing for accurate pricing and removing inflated contingencies.
6. Design Intent Pack
The Design Intent Drawings are the technical backbone of the project.
They include tiling elevations, kitchen and bathroom layouts, décor schedules, lighting positions, joinery details and wall treatments such as panelling.
Together with the FF&E Schedule and Design Development boards, these form the full interior design package for the main contractor, providing everything needed to deliver the design exactly as intended.
The Result
Although Grey Walls, the aparthotel, hasn’t yet been built, the design intent is crystal clear.
By bringing an interior design team in from the outset, the developer can now price the project accurately, reduce mistakes within the interior remit and avoid constant contractor queries.
It also means the finished development will look cohesive and high-value, helping it stand out from competitors, attract the right guests or buyers, appeal to future JV partners and ultimately perform better in the market.
If you’re planning a commercial conversion or commercial-to-residential conversion, and want to see how interior design can maximise ROI, get in touch for a consultation and bespoke quote.
About the author: Louise Wynne lives in Yorkshire and has been working with house builders and property developers nationally since 2006. Combining interior design and styling with her colour psychology expertise, Louise gets to the heart of her clients' requirements.
