Full-Service Interior Design: A Stress-Free Path to Your Dream Home
Recently, I was having dinner with two friends who live in a Brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Just south of Prospect Park, the home is historic and has some beautiful original millwork throughout. Basically, it’s a dream home for anyone living in New York City. While slurping through some delicious cacio pepe, my friends started to ask me some questions about future design decisions they might need to make. While advising on the location of a built-in, my friend Scott made a comment about having More Wow come in as a phase 2, after the architect. I nearly spit out my dinner.
Just kidding. I wasn't terribly offended, but I did think that it was worth writing about the outdated understanding of design as a discipline that most people have these days. It’s an understanding that doesn’t consider full-service interior design as a practice, which I think is really to most people’s detriment.
For me, having come from the software world, where design has become a highly strategic, and rigorous discipline, I’m always shocked when I speak with people who view interior designers as decorators out of a Sears catalog from the 1980s. Of course, decorators and unsophisticated designers still exist, but like the best software designers I know, top tier design firms have evolved well beyond this over the years.
Today, interior design companies range from those that offer specialized services in specific parts of the design process to those that embrace a full-service model. The best full-service interior design firms have a more thorough process and approach to designing spaces that covers every aspect of the project, from gathering an understanding of the customer to developing the design concept, the mood, style and story of the space, identifying and procuring furniture and fixtures, styling and more. Unlike decorators, who are experts in home aesthetics, designers take a principled approach to creating an experience in a physical or digital space. Importantly, Full-service design firms, like More Wow, also manage every detail along the way from concept to completion. In a world where efficiency and expertise are prized, full-service design firms deliver a streamlined, cohesive solution that ensures every element aligns seamlessly.
This article explores why full-service design is often the best option for clients who want a smooth, stress-free experience and highlights the pitfalls of alternative approaches. Along the way, we'll highlight what sets full-service firms apart, particularly when working with top-tier luxury interior design firms in Brooklyn, NYC, South Florida, and Miami, including Palm Beach, where personalized service is paramount.
How Interior Design Firms Have Evolved
When I was younger, my mother hired her first decorator. A woman named Sue who was my mom's furniture consultant. She would help pick furniture, suggest fabrics, and sometimes stop by to drop off tchotchkes. Over time, new technologies emerged, globalization opened up new markets, and the demands and tastes of homeowners, businesses, and developers changed, reshaping the industry. As with big box retail, some design related firms went online to offer furniture ecommerce options and others created virtual design services (for more on virtual design, read our blog post, Virtual Design vs. More Wow). Still other firms became more consultative, choosing to specialize in distinct disciplines, such as lighting design, styling, or even real estate project management, offering expertise in one narrow area.
Another option, full-service interior design, has emerged as the gold standard for clients who seek professional designers who offer hands-on management of every interior design detail from end to end. Full-service firms do it all—spatial planning, construction / project oversight, furniture procurement, styling, and even post-installation services. They may have specialized employees for all functions, or they may have a refined perspective and an extensive partner network that enables them.
What Is Full-Service Design?
When you hire a full-service interior designer, you’re getting a dedicated partner who oversees every detail of the project. For a detailed view of More Wow’s process you check here. Here’s what that typically includes:
- Initial Consultation and Concept Developmentsome text
- Full-service firms start with a deep dive into your goals, tastes, and lifestyle. From there, they develop cohesive concepts tailored to your space and vision.
- Project Managementsome text
- They take care of the coordination between contractors, artisans, and suppliers, ensuring timelines and budgets stay on track.
- Procurement & Warehousing some text
- Rather than asking you to shop for pieces or deal with shipping headaches, full-service firms handle all sourcing and logistics.
- Styling and Finishing Touchessome text
- The designer ensures that every detail is thoughtfully placed, resulting in a space that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
- Post-Project Supportsome text
- Many full-service firms also offer post-installation support, such as maintenance advice or sourcing replacement pieces if needed.
Full-Service Design vs. Other Approaches
It’s our experience that designing a space without full-service support often leads to disjointed results, rework and frustration. When clients manage parts of the project themselves or hire a firm that only handles specific elements, the risk of miscommunication, delays, and costly mistakes increases exponentially.
For instance, firms that don’t offer full-service solutions might provide you with design concepts but leave you to hire contractors or source furniture on your own.Similarly, clients who hire design firms late in the process, end up with architectural details, millwork, built ins, and placements of electrical outlets and other details in locations that at best don’t align with the holistic vision of how the client will live in the space and at worst, restrict the ability of the homeowner to achieve the end design.
Some common issues encountered include:
- Built-in sizes that take up too much space and prevent use of certain furniture or restrict furniture choices
- Ceiling and moulding design in architectural styles that are different from the style of the home or room.
- Hallway entry designs that prevent the use of wallcoverings
- Electrical outlets from old design plans are not moved to account for new design plans.
- Walls are built without consideration of how they will be used (e.g. hanging heavy pictures, mirrors etc.)
- Architect-made design decisions, such as recommending lighting fixtures and fittings, before having a holistic design vision in place.
- Poor allocation of budget or resources. across the entire project, due to lack of coordination between suppliers.
- Over-reliance on models resulting in incorrect measurements and sizing errors.
On the other hand, full-service design firms like More Wow are basically on-call to ensure every component is synchronized, from the placement of a bespoke sofa to the color of the grout in a kitchen backsplash and the review of individual planks of wood for flooring.
Will I pay more for Full-Service Interior Design?
Choosing a full-service interior designer is an investment in peace of mind. It’s the best way to ensure your space is a true reflection of your vision without the typical headaches that come with managing a complex project. That said, it’s likely that you will pay more for a full-service interior designer than for a virtual service, a decorator, or a specialized interior designer. Full-service interior design firms spend more time on the project and are usually more skilled in the principles of design and project management. They may also have niche services that lower-end interior designers do not offer.
At More Wow, we believe that creating exceptional design experiences requires this type of holistic approach. Whether it’s a high-end apartment in Brooklyn, a historic townhouse in NYC, or a luxurious beachfront villa in South Florida, we prioritize the big picture and sweat the details.
Client Benefits of Full-service Interior Design at More Wow:
- Expertise in blending aesthetics with functionality, ensuring spaces that are both beautiful and practical.
- Partnerships with skilled artisans and top suppliers in the industry that span multiple countries and continents.
- Ability to create unique, one of a kind furniture designs.
- Access to top galleries for selecting collectible design works.
- Our commitment to delivering a stress-free, enjoyable experience.
- A robust capability in user and market research, synthesizing insights, and developing concepts (both physical and digital) for immersive design.
For projects in Palm Beach, Miami, Manhattan or other luxury markets, we bring an additional layer of sophistication. With access to vintage and antique treasures we elevate spaces to reflect our clients’ distinct personalities and lifestyles.
The Bottom Line
Full-service design provides a clear path to realizing your dream space with minimal hassle. Full-service interior designers are generally more skilled and offer a wider range of services than specialized or lower-end interior designers. At More Wow, we’re proud to help clients in New York City and South Florida (Miami and Palm Beach areas) bring their ideas to life through thoughtful planning, expert execution, and impeccable attention to detail. Of course, we are able to work anywhere in the world, so if you’re ready to transform your space, contact us or set up an initial call here.