What does an interior designer do for a custom home build project?

What Does an Interior Designer Do for a Custom Home Build?

Building a custom home is an exciting opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind space that is perfectly tailored to your lifestyle and taste. But it can also be overwhelming. There are thousands of decisions to make, from the size of the kitchen island to the finish on your cabinet hardware. That’s where an interior designer steps in—not just to make your home beautiful, but to help it function for how you live.

At Wendi Gee Interiors, based in Austin, TX, we work with clients throughout the entire custom home building process. We’re not just picking paint colors and throw pillows; we’re deeply involved in every phase, from early visioning and space planning to furnishings and final styling. When we’re brought in early, the process runs more smoothly, and the final result is a cohesive, functional, and beautiful home that reflects your vision and lifestyle.

WHY BRING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER IN EARLY

We prefer to be involved from the very beginning. When interior and exterior visions aren't aligned, things can quickly unravel. We’ve seen it happen: an architect designs a stunning ultra-modern home, and then the client brings us in with inspiration photos filled with cozy, traditional interiors. It’s a major disconnect.

Being involved early allows us to:

• Ensure architectural and interior styles are in harmony

• Maximize space planning and furniture layouts

• Identify and resolve functionality issues early

• Guide the design in a direction that fits your lifestyle and budget

We attend early meetings with the architect and provide feedback on floor plans and elevations to make sure every square foot supports how you want to live.

THE POWER OF SPACE PLANNING

Space planning is one of the most important contributions we make to a custom home build. We often say that good furniture layout makes a house livable.

We analyze the flow of your home and ensure that rooms are properly sized and arranged for the way you live. We consider:

• How many people need to be seated in the living room?

• Do you need space for a grand piano or a dog bed?

• Will your morning routine include sitting by the window with a coffee?

• How do people move between kitchen, dining, and outdoor spaces?

We’ve worked on projects where the client brought us in late, only to find their living room couldn’t fit their existing furniture. That mistake cost them architectural revisions and lost time. Early space planning prevents this.

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SITE LINES

Another essential piece of spatial planning is managing sight lines—what you see as you move through the home. We think carefully about what you’ll see the moment you walk in the door, how rooms visually connect, and what views should be framed or minimized. Do you want to walk in and see a fireplace or a piece of art? Do you want to hide the kitchen mess from view? These moments are what give a home its intentional flow and create that wow factor without feeling forced.

OUR PROCESS

We follow a clear and comprehensive process to guide clients through the custom home journey:

1. Life and Style Session

   • Deep dive into your lifestyle, preferences, routines, collections, pain points

   • Visual exploration of inspiration images

   • Identification of functional needs and priorities

2. Concept Development

   • Mood boards and preliminary ideas for finishes, color palettes, and materials

   • High-level space planning and vision alignment

3. Architectural Plan Review

   • Redline markups on floor plans and electrical plans

   • Coordination with architect for space planning and flow

4. Material and Fixture Selections

   • Exterior materials: roof, facade, porch ceilings, soffits, gutters, windows

   • Flooring, tile, countertops, paint colors, wallcoverings

   • Decorative lighting and plumbing fixtures

   • Cabinet hardware, shower glass hardware, and door hardware

   • Fireplace materials: insert, mantle, surround, hearth, tile, cap

   • Pool and patio materials: coping, surface, tile, pavers

5. Detailed Drawings and Documentation

   • Interior elevations for cabinetry, walls, tile layouts, and more

   • Custom design drawings for mouldings, fireplaces, built-ins

   • Finish schedules showing every item with specs and placement

6. Bidding Support

   • Coordination with builders to ensure design aligns with budget

   • Clarification of what items are must-haves vs. nice-to-haves

7. Construction Support

   • Site visits, problem solving, and builder collaboration

   • Adjustments and refinements during construction

8. Furnishings & Styling

   • Selection and procurement of furniture, art, and accessories

   • Installation planning and coordination

   • Final styling for a move-in-ready home

OUR DELIVERABLES

Here is a more detailed list of what we provide during a custom home build:

Drawings and Design Documents

• Redline edits on floor plans and electrical layouts

• Interior elevations of key spaces (kitchen, bathrooms, built-ins)

• Tile and flooring layout drawings

• Fireplace and millwork drawings

• Custom moulding designs

Material Selections & Schedules

• Exterior finishes: roof, windows, siding, soffits, porch ceilings

• Interior finishes: flooring, wall coverings, tile, paint, cabinetry finishes

• Hardware: cabinet pulls, interior door levers, hinges, stoppers

• Plumbing and decorative lighting fixtures

• Shower glass details and hardware

• Pool materials and patio finishes

• Specifications schedules documenting every item and its location

Furniture Planning

• Full furniture layout plans for each room

• Furniture sourcing and procurement

• Custom upholstery and window treatments

• Art and accessory curation

Project Management Support

• Meetings with architect and builder

• Ongoing budget alignment

• Site visits and issue resolution

• Coordination with vendors and trades

MANAGING THE BUDGET

A big part of our job is helping clients set realistic expectations about budget. Many clients are surprised by what custom homes actually cost. In the Austin area, for example, the cost to build a custom home starts around $450 per square foot on the low side and can climb quickly depending on the architecture and design.

We work to educate and guide:

• Reviewing inspiration photos and providing early budget insight

• Helping clients prioritize their wish list

• Working with builders to determine allowances

• Finding smart savings and investment opportunities

Whether we're brought in early to set allowances, or later to work within them, our job is to make the most of every dollar.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

What makes a custom home special is the opportunity to create something truly personal and unique. We don’t do cookie-cutter. We think outside the box, whether it’s creating a dramatic powder bath, a cozy reading nook, or a show-stopping fireplace surround.

Sometimes that starts with a function-first design (like a hidden charging station or custom smoothie bar), and other times it’s driven by a beautiful finish like a hand-painted wallpaper or a custom moulding pattern. The result is always elevated and intentional.

COMMON CHALLENGES WE SOLVE

We love custom homes, but they come with challenges—many of which we help our clients avoid:

• Mismatched styles between architecture and interior

• Poor furniture fit due to floor plans that weren’t space-planned

• Last-minute changes that could have been avoided with early collaboration

• Pinterest vs. reality gaps in cost or feasibility

• Overlooked functions like storage needs, traffic flow, or pet accommodations

We help solve these problems before they become costly or irreversible. And if they arise late in the game? We step in and guide the solution.

THE GRAND FINALE: FURNITURE & STYLING

This is our favorite phase—where all the plans, drawings, and decisions come to life.

About six months before construction wraps, we begin ordering furniture. We work with a trusted receiving warehouse who holds the items until we’re ready. Once construction is complete and punch lists are done, we move in like a stealthy design squad.

We:

• Install furniture

• Hang art and mirrors

• Style shelves and surfaces

• Light candles, turn on music, and get ready for the big reveal

The texts and phone calls we get from our clients after they walk into their fully finished home is the most rewarding moment of the process. All the hard work has paid off, and our clients finally get to live in the space we’ve created together.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So, what does an interior designer do during a custom home build? Everything. There are few decisions we are not involved in. We are your creative partner, project advocate, and design expert, ensuring your new home reflects you in every way.

From furniture layouts that actually work, to material choices that stand the test of time, to styling that makes your home feel finished and you, we’re with you every step of the way.

If you're planning a custom build and want to make sure your home isn't just beautiful, but also livable and lasting, bring us in early. You'll be glad you did.