What to Do If You Can’t Hire an Interior Designer or Want to Do It Yourself

by: rochelle

So, you’ve decided to take on the challenge of designing your space yourself – good for you! Whether you’re tackling this because you can’t hire an interior designer or simply because you love the idea of creating your own perfect room, here are some of the key steps we take to ensure we end up with a space that feels just right.

Step 1: Get Your Floor Plan Right

Start by making sure you have a floorplan that’s to scale. This means no rough estimates or real estate floorplans—take the time to draw up the space accurately. This step is crucial because it lays the foundation for all your design decisions.

Step 2: Mark Out Windows and Doors

Identify all windows and doors on your plan. Pay close attention to how doors open and how people will move through the space. This will help you understand how the room will flow and where you’ll have natural light or need privacy.

Step 3: Furniture Placement

Next, draw your furniture to scale. If you don’t know the exact measurements of your furniture, look up the dimensions of pieces you’re considering. For example, an amazing client (actually, a dear friend of Rebeka’s) was looking at two Koala couches – one at 3 seater and one at 3.5 seater in the Bangalow range she saw at DevelopHer Taeler’s house. The difference was a 3 seater = 224cm or 3.5 seater = 254cm. This extra 30cm was too much and closed in the room. Now if we didn’t map the room and the exits, it may have seemed like this sofa would fit in the room – but as we knew we needed to leave a 1m pathway. Following this process, we were able to work out the larger couch wouldn’t allow for that.

You’ll want to ensure there’s enough space to move around comfortably, which might mean opting for the smaller option.

Step 4: Consider Lighting and Finishes

After placing your furniture, think about the lighting. Choose your feature lighting thoughtfully and ensure your curtains have a place to stack without obstructing any windows or doors. Sometimes, even in the middle of a build—or long after you’ve made your initial choices—you might need to revisit these decisions. Substitutions due to supply chain issues or builder changes, as Rebeka’s friend experienced, make this review process even more essential.

In the End, It’s All About Just Making It Flow

The key to a great space isn’t just in choosing beautiful furniture or finishes, but making sure everything flows well together. The way a room flows—the pathways, the light, the connection between spaces—is what truly makes it feel like home. So, whether you’re designing a bespoke space or working with a volume builder, these steps will help you create a room that shines!