Hiring an interior designer is about more than finding someone whose style you like. For a renovation or full-home project, the right designer brings clarity, structure, and expertise that can make the entire process smoother and more enjoyable.
Here at MacPhee Interiors, we specialize in kitchen, bath, and interior renovations, and decorating with a strong focus on design and functionality. We primarily work with busy professionals in Edmonton and the surrounding area who are looking to elevate their home to fit their evolving family’s lifestyle through thoughtfully tailored renovations.
What Does an Interior Designer Actually Do?
Many homeowners aren’t quite sure what an interior designer does or how their role differs from a decorator or contractor.
An interior designer helps plan layouts, select materials and finishes, manage details, and guide decisions so your home functions beautifully and cohesively. For renovation projects, this often includes space planning, construction coordination, and sourcing furnishings and materials.
Homeowners are often surprised that we can use specialized software to produce 3D renderings that let them visualize the final space, so that they can see the design before committing. When renovations begin, we serve as the primary point of contact for contractors, trades, engineers, and architects, so our clients can focus on their day-to-day activities.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer
Before committing, it’s important to understand how a designer works and whether their approach aligns with your expectations.
Key Questions to Ask Before Your First Consultation
- What is your design process from start to finish?
- How are projects structured and priced?
- How involved will I be in the decision-making process?
- What does communication look like throughout the project?
Clear answers to these questions signal professionalism and experience.
A great question to ask is, “What’s realistically achievable within my budget?” Early clarity allows us to design smarter, avoid delays and deliver the best design possible without compromise.
Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Designer
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is choosing a designer based on photos alone. While aesthetics matter, process and communication are just as important.
Mistakes That Can Impact Budget, Timeline, and Communication
- Not understanding the full scope of services
- Assuming timelines without discussing them
- Waiting too long to bring a designer into the project
Avoiding these mistakes early can save time, money, and stress.
A primary mistake that commonly causes significant delays and budget overruns in renovation projects is skipping proper planning and budgeting. This fundamental oversight often leads homeowners to go over budget on their projects.
Starting a renovation without a detailed, room-by-room, or item-by-item plan often leads to discovering, too late, that the project requires more time, money, and labour than anticipated.
Having a contingency fund of a 15-25% “cushion” for unexpected issues, such as outdated electrical/plumbing systems, structural problems, or hidden mould, will keep the renovation on time and on budget should anything unforeseen arise.
Signs You’ve Found the Right Interior Designer
The right designer will make the process feel clear, not confusing.
What a Well-Run Design Process Feels Like
- A clearly defined process
- Transparent expectations around pricing and timelines
- Strong communication and organization
- Confidence in guiding decisions without pressure
These indicators usually point to a professional who can manage both the creative and logistical sides of a project.
At MacPhee Interiors, we value and prioritize collaboration with our clients. We meet with you several times to ensure we understand how you would like to live in your home. We design our clients’ spaces with the wants, needs and functionality they require for their lifestyle.
What Working With Our Interior Design Studio Looks Like
Every design firm works differently, which is why understanding the process matters.
We guide clients through a structured design process that prioritizes clarity, collaboration, and thoughtful execution. From the initial consultation through final installation, our goal is to create spaces that reflect your lifestyle while managing the details along the way.
You may know what you want your home to feel like when you open the door, but it’s not always easy to put into words and fabric swatches. Our job is to interpret your vision and then bring it to life. Our team makes the design process fun and easy for you. Our full-service design projects follow a detailed sixteen-step process to ensure your project is delivered on time and on budget.
Every home is unique. We believe that an interior designer should approach every project with fresh eyes and listening ears. Your home needs to be designed for you and your family, so it is the place you love coming home to every day and functions beautifully with your family’s lifestyle.
How to Get Started With an Interior Designer
The first step is typically a consultation, where you’ll discuss your goals, timeline, and scope of work. This allows both you and the designer to determine if the fit is right before moving forward.
If you’re planning a home renovation and want expert guidance from the start, we invite you to explore our services or schedule a consultation.
Contact us today, or you can reach us at (587) 600-2012.
If you live in Edmonton or the surrounding area and you’re considering a kitchen renovation or planning an interior design upgrade, MacPhee Interiors is ready to help bring your vision to life.
If you would like to learn how colour affects how your home feels, check out The Power of Colour in Your Home.