What does an interior designer do: From ideas to reality

In this article, you will discover:

• What an interior designer really does - beyond surface aesthetics

• Why hiring a designer can transform your renovation or new home

• Are the available AI design tools just as good as an interior designer?

• The detailed process I follow at KVL Design, step by step

• When bringing in a professional interior designer makes sense

• Taking the first step toward hiring an interior design professional
  

Introduction

Imagine walking into your home on a crisp morning, the sunlight flooding in through the kitchen window as you savor the first warm sip of coffee. The space feels distinctly yours, a sanctuary crafted to mirror your tastes and lifestyle... Owning or renovating a home is exciting, but it's also filled with choices, doubts, and pitfalls. Which paint colors to select? Does the layout really work? Which materials age well? Many are overwhelmed by the endless options and decisions they need to make. That’s when a designer becomes your greatest ally.

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s clarify what makes professional interior design truly valuable - and explore how my approach at KVL Design stands apart. By the end, you’ll see that design is not a luxury; it’s a smart investment in your daily life.

What an interior designer really does

People often think that an interior designer just picks furniture, colors, and decor. That only scratches the surface. Design professionals bring layers of expertise, integrating technical, aesthetic, and user-focused disciplines. Designers create spaces that are not only beautiful but also functional, safe, and emotionally resonant.

Here are some of the domains an interior designer works with:

• Acoustics / sound control: understanding how sound moves in a room, damping echoes, and ensuring the home feels quiet and calm.

• Lighting / daylight & artificial light: how natural light shifts through the hours, how artificial light layers (ambient, task, accent), and how it affects mood and well-being.

• Accessibility & universal design: ensuring that spaces work for people of different ages, physical abilities, and mobility. And yes, at KVL Design I consider pets too!

• Psychology of color & multisensory design: choosing hues and materials that influence feelings, senses (touch, smell, texture), and perception.

• Functionality & flow: optimizing how people move through the space, where furniture goes, sightlines, and circulation.

• Thermal comfort & heating / cooling: how building physics, insulation, ventilation, and heating systems interact in the environment.

• Safety, codes & regulations: structural constraints, fire safety, building codes, lighting safety, and compliance.

• Perception & scale: playing with proportions, visual weight, spatial illusions. For example, how to make a small room feel larger, or a tall ceiling feel more balanced.

• Materials & finishes: selecting materials for durability, sustainability, maintenance, and health (VOC emissions, allergens).

• Integration with architecture & structure: coordinating with walls, columns, beams, mechanical systems, plumbing, and other elements.

• Project management/coordination: Aligning with contractors and suppliers, monitoring planning, budget, and ensuring quality control - so the project runs smoothly, on time, and to the highest standard.

  
  

Recognizing the diversity of expertise required, it becomes clear that interior design is far more than styling or decorating. It’s a discipline that weaves science, art, psychology, and problem-solving. With this broader understanding, let’s discuss why hiring a designer can make such a difference.

In the Netherlands, becoming a stylist or decorator may be possible with shorter courses or certificate programs, but to become an interior designer / interior architect, you typically need a full degree path. There are several recognized programs in the Netherlands offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in interior architecture or spatial design. Upon completing a master's plus a professional experience period, you may register in the ‘Architectenregister’ for the role of interior architect.

By choosing to work with someone who’s studied at that depth, you gain confidence that your project is handled with both craft and rigor.

Why hire an interior designer

During renovations, people often debate between saving money by choosing themselves and fearing mistakes. Hiring a designer brings certainty, alignment, and confidence - beyond just picking decor.

Imagine this scenario: You spend months selecting furniture, visiting shops, and ordering samples, only to realize your sofa is too large, your lighting washes out your art, or you forgot to leave enough clearance around the doors. The emotional reaction? Frustration, regret, wasted money. When you work with a designer, many of those mistakes are avoided.

You get:

• A cohesive vision and clear planning from day one

• Smart decisions grounded in technical knowledge and proportion

• Access to materials, suppliers, and craftsmanship you might not know

• Trade discounts on furniture, paint, and materials that can sometimes reach up to 30% (in the Netherlands) of the prices in the shop - helping you save significantly.

• A process that reduces overwhelm and decision fatigue

• A home that not only looks good, but feels right (both physically and emotionally).
  

When clients say they feel “seen” and their needs are respected, that’s the personal connection I aim for. Design should be personal, not standard. I recall a project where a family of four felt overwhelmed by their cluttered and dimly lit living space. After understanding their love for nature, I introduced soft palettes, better lighting, and added greenery to create an airy, vibrant environment. Seeing their smiles and hearing the kids say it felt 'like a new home' reassured me that thoughtful design can truly transform daily life.

Now that we’ve examined the benefits of hiring a designer, you might wonder: what role do AI tools play in this field?

AI tools can create inspirational images quickly, but they cannot assess how light, sound, and lifestyle shape your living space. An algorithm lacks the ability to understand your family, daily needs, and the nuances that make your home unique.

A professional interior designer offers technical expertise and human understanding. At KVL Design, I focus on style, compliance, comfort, and how your space feels, delivering thoughtful results that AI cannot. While AI suggests, a designer translates your needs into reality.For instance, when someone is unsure how to use a spare room, they might upload a photo to an AI platform to receive design suggestions. These images can look appealing at first. Yet, AI focuses only on aesthetic possibilities. The results are rarely physically achievable or tailored to real-life habits and requirements.

AI cannot determine if a wall is structural or movable, nor does it calculate renovation costs, check the local availability or safety of materials, or verify that design choices will work for acoustics, heating, or lighting once completed. In summary, AI excels at creating images but struggles to address all the realities required to transform a space.

That is where a designer steps in. My role is not only to create a vision, but to ensure that the vision can be executed, that it fits your budget, and that it feels right for your life and the people (and pets ;)) living in your home.

The process at KVL Design: Step-by-step

The design journey is a collaboration. Here’s a detailed step by step look at how I approach every project, combining your input with my expertise to shape a design that is both functional and inspiring.

Phase 1: Intake

We start with a meeting (in person or online) to discuss your vision, preferences, and lifestyle. I ask beyond the basics: Do you prefer quiet or entertaining? How many people use the space? What inspires you? What are your hobbies, and do you have pets? Together, we clarify how you want your home to feel. I also review your floor plans or photos for practical context. The intake is free of charge and without obligation.

Following this intake, I prepare a tailored project proposal that outlines the design approach, scope, and investment requirements. Once you feel confident, we finalize the details with a clear contract, ensuring you know exactly what to expect.

Phase 2: Mood board, color selection & preliminary layout

Based on our conversation, I will proceed with creating a mood board that captures the style, colors, textures, lighting, atmosphere, and materials. Together, we choose a direction that feels authentic to who you are and the emotions you want your home to evoke. At the same time, I prepare a conceptual layout sketch that shows the spatial flow - how furniture is placed, how circulation works, and where the natural focal points are.

Phase 3: Feedback moment

Before diving into the more detailed work, we meet again for a feedback session. This is where you can reflect on the concept, colors, and layout. You share what resonates, what feels off, and what you’d like to adjust. This ensures the design remains true to you before we proceed to technical plans and details.

Phase 4: Technical plans, materials, finishes, details & visualizations

With your feedback in hand, I transform the concept into scaled technical plans that capture dimensions, zoning, and details such as lighting, heating, and ventilation. I carefully select furniture, finishes, fabrics, and accessories from trusted suppliers who share my values of quality, sustainability, and style.

For example, I love sourcing pieces from Kave Home, a brand that combines style with sustainability in all their products. This means your home can look beautiful while supporting sustainable design.

Once all elements are set, I bring everything to life through realistic visualizations (3D renderings) and, if needed, a video walkthrough. This way, you can truly step into your future home before a single item is purchased or built.Depending on the agreement we make together, additional limited revisions may be included at certain stages to make sure expectations remain clear and aligned.

Phase 5: Final presentation of the design

This is the exciting moment where the entire design comes together. I present the full package to you, which includes the plans, materials, finishes, furniture lists, and visuals so you can see your home as a complete and cohesive story. It is where all the ideas, conversations, and details come together to form a clear vision. You walk away not only with the deliverables but also with the confidence of knowing exactly how your space can be transformed into a place that feels both functional and inspiring.

If project management and coordination are not included in your package, I will ensure you have everything you need. I will provide detailed shopping lists with direct links or QR codes for each piece of furniture, lighting, material, or finish. This way, you can simply order the right items without the stress of endless searching.

Phase 6: Project management & coordination (Optional)

If you wish, I can also take care of managing the practical side of bringing the design to life. This means coordinating with contractors and suppliers, monitoring timelines and budgets, and ensuring quality control at every stage. My role here is to lift the stress from your shoulders so you don’t have to worry about miscommunication or delays. With me keeping an eye on the process, you can focus on the joy of seeing your space come to life, knowing it will be delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards.

When it makes sense to work with a designer

Working with an interior designer is not just for big renovations or luxury homes. It’s for anyone who wants their home to truly work for them but feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin.

Many of my clients come to me, saying they are overwhelmed by choices. Thousands of paint colors, endless furniture shop visits, conflicting Pinterest boards, and STILL no clear vision. Some worry about wasting money on the wrong sofa or not knowing how to combine materials. Others have the space but no idea how to make it flow, feel cozy, or reflect their own personality. That’s exactly where the designer steps in!

Here are moments when working with a professional can make all the difference:

• When you’ve just bought a new home and want to create a fresh, cohesive vision before moving in.

• When you are renovating or reconfiguring walls and want to get it right from the start.

• When your space is small or awkward, and you need to make every square meter count.

• When you care about health, sustainability, and well-being, and want natural materials, better air quality, and more daylight.

• When daily life feels uncomfortable because of poor layout, light, or acoustics.

• When you want to save time and money, avoid costly mistakes, and finally feel confident in your choices.

• When you long for a home that not only functions well but also looks visually pleasing and reflects your personal style.

• When you want your space to look good, feel even better, and contribute to truly feeling at home.
  

The relief my clients describe after seeing a clear plan is one of the reasons I love what I do. They often tell me that their home suddenly feels calmer, more open, and as if it finally “breathes” differently. That is the moment when design has truly succeeded.

How to take the first step

If you’re curious how your space could transform, here’s a suggestion:

1. Start by downloading my free Style Guide via my website to help you articulate your preferences.

2. Send me a WhatsApp message, email (contact@kvl-design.nl), or fill in my contact form and describe your spatial dilemma.

3. We’ll sit down together to examine your space closely and discuss your needs, lifestyle, timeline, and any specific challenges you may face. This is your chance to share what matters most to you and ask all your questions. After our conversation, I will prepare a tailored project proposal that outlines the design approach and scope. Once you feel confident and ready, we’ll finalize the arrangement with a clear contract, ensuring you know exactly what to expect moving forward.
   

Conclusion

Interior designers/architects do much more than making things ‘pretty’. They weave together technical competence, aesthetic vision, sensory knowledge, building systems, and personal storytelling to create a home that works and feels aligned. The process at KVL Design is structured yet flexible, always inviting your input and oriented toward your lifestyle and well-being.