What Working with a Full-Service Interior Designer Really Looks Like
Have you considered hiring an interior designer but felt unsure about what the experience actually looks like? Or perhaps you have wondered whether full-service design is more of a luxury than a necessity. You’re not alone — many homeowners are curious about the process and what happens behind the scenes.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what full-service interior design involves, how it goes far beyond decorating, and why a comprehensive approach can save you time, protect your investment, and result in a home that feels thoughtful, cohesive, and built to last.
A complete renovation in Melrose, MA, blending modern comfort with layered textures. Interior Designer: Justine Sterling Design | Architect: SLR Architecture | Photographer: Jessica Delaney Photography
To begin, it helps to define the scope of your project. Are you seeking the expertise of an interior decorator or a full-service interior designer?
Interior decorating often focuses on surface-level choices like furniture, styling, paint colors, and accessories. Full-service interior design, on the other hand, is a complete process that guides every stage of your project, from the first ideas to the final touches. It considers how your home functions, how construction and renovations fit together, and how all the details contribute to the final space.
Decorating enhances what’s already there. Full-service design creates a home that’s intentional, functional, and beautifully finished.
What Interior Designers Do Behind the Scenes
When you walk into a finished home, it naturally feels effortless and beautifully put together. What you don’t see are the countless decisions, hours of planning, and behind-the-scenes coordination that make it all come together. Some of the things a full-service interior designer takes care of include:
Floor plans and detailed layouts
Coordination with architects, builders, and trades
Strategic sourcing of furnishings and materials
Managing specifications, samples, and approvals
Tracking orders, deliveries, and lead times
Troubleshooting issues before they become problems
Every decision impacts the timeline. Full-service designers plan months in advance, ordering long lead-time items, scheduling key decisions alongside construction, and keeping everything on track. This ensures your project is smooth, budgets are protected, and surprises are minimized.
So, What Is It Like to Work with a Full-Service Interior Designer?
Clients often describe the experience as clarity and ease. Instead of juggling multiple decisions, emails, and surprises, they have a clear process and a designer who guides them through every step. They always know what’s coming, understand how choices affect the whole project, receive expert guidance, and feel confident their time and investment are protected.
At Justine Sterling Design, we guide our clients through a clear, step-by-step process so they always know exactly where their project stands:
Consultation – We begin by understanding your goals, budget, timeline, and the full potential of your home, introducing our 15-Step Discovering Home process so you know exactly what to expect.
Research, Design & Documentation – We craft a cohesive, personalized design, complete with detailed drawings, schedules, and specifications, all prepared and ready to bring your vision to life.
Presentation – We share the plans, furnishings, materials, and pricing with you in a clear, in-person presentation, making sure every detail feels right before moving forward.
Project Management & Procurement – We handle ordering furnishings, fixtures, and materials, coordinate with construction teams, and ensure everything is ready for installation so the process stays seamless and stress-free.
Installation & Reveal – Finally, we bring it all together, placing furnishings, styling, and art to create a home that feels polished, personal, and ready to enjoy.
Is Hiring an Interior Designer Worth the Splurge?
It can feel like a splurge at first, but hiring an interior designer helps take the guesswork and stress out of creating a home that works for you.
From coordinating contractors and managing timelines to sourcing pieces that fit your style and budget, a designer keeps all the moving parts in order and guides you in making choices that fit your style, your needs, and your budget, often helping you discover solutions you might not have considered.
When Should You Consider Hiring a Designer?
Ask yourself:
Are you working on multiple rooms or custom elements?
Do you need to coordinate with a builder or architect?
Do you want a cohesive, well-planned result without handling all the details yourself?
If you answered yes, a full-service interior designer can make a real difference.
If the thought of juggling timelines, decisions, and coordinating with contractors feels overwhelming, your designer becomes your trusted guide and partner. They help you see the big picture and support you in making thoughtful choices. They also keep everything organized, so you can actually enjoy the process. With a designer by your side, your project moves more smoothly, schedules stay on track, and your home comes together in a way that feels intentional, functional, and perfectly suited to the way you live.
Justine Sterling Design works with homeowners throughout the Greater Boston area to create homes that feel intentional, functional, and reflective of how they live.
If your home is feeling a little tired, out of sync, or in need of a refresh, we offer a full-service design approach that guides every detail from concept to completion. We work closely with you to understand your lifestyle, your needs, and the way you want your home to feel, so the final result is a space that truly fits how you live.
Get to know us and learn more about our approach, or take a look at some of the homes we’ve had the pleasure of helping transform.
We love getting to know our clients before any project begins! Schedule your free discovery call here and let’s chat about your vision.
Until next time,
Justine