Designing the interiors of your home is a rewarding yet complex process. Whether you’re planning to refresh a single room or undertake a full renovation, it’s essential to understand the time it takes to turn your design dreams into reality.
Many homeowners underestimate the time involved in interior design projects, expecting the quick transformations often depicted on TV shows. However, in real life, timelines can vary significantly depending on the scope of work, the designer’s workflow, and other factors.
In this article, we will explain the key factors that influence the timeline of your interior design project, break down the various phases of the process, and provide an overview of typical project timelines. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how long it takes to complete an interior design project in Australia and what you can do to help ensure the process runs smoothly.
Let’s get straight to the point
The time it takes for an interior design project varies depending on the scope, decision-making, setbacks, and the designer’s workflow. Simple projects like furniture updates might take a few months, while full renovations can take longer.
The process usually includes phases like consultation (1-2 weeks), early design (4-8 weeks), detailed design (1-6 weeks), sourcing materials (6-12 weeks), installation (2-3 weeks), and final touches (2-5 days).
Overall, a project can take between 14 to 31 weeks depending on complexity. Clear communication and planning help keep things on track and avoid delays.

What Affects the Timeline of Your Interior Design Project?
Several key factors can influence the duration of an interior design project. Understanding these elements will help you set realistic expectations and prepare for any potential delays that might arise.
1. Scope of Work: The Extent of Your Design Project
The scope of work is one of the most important factors affecting your project timeline. It refers to the specific tasks that will be undertaken in your space. The broader the scope, the longer the project will take.
For example:
- A simple redesign of a living room—such as new furniture, updated lighting, and a fresh coat of paint—could be completed in a few months.
- A more complex renovation, such as knocking down walls to create an open-plan layout, adding custom-built furniture, or installing new flooring, will take much longer.
The more extensive the changes to the space, the longer the project will take. Be sure to discuss the scope of work with your interior designer to get an accurate estimate of the timeline.
2. Decision-Making Process
In most design projects, multiple people are involved in the decision-making process. If you’re working with family members, partners, or other stakeholders, it can slow down the process as decisions might take longer to finalise. This is particularly true when it comes to choosing finishes, materials, or the overall direction of the design.
The fewer the number of people making decisions, the quicker you can move forward. Having a designated decision-maker can help keep things on track, ensuring that design choices are made efficiently.
3. Unexpected Setbacks
One of the realities of home renovation and interior design is that setbacks are common. While delays are often anticipated on TV shows, in real life, issues can crop up unexpectedly—particularly in older homes. These setbacks can include:
- Shipping delays for furniture or materials.
- Manufacturing issues with custom furniture or fixtures.
- Building or plumbing issues discovered during renovation.
When renovating, for example, a wall might hide electrical or plumbing issues that only become evident once work begins. These issues need to be resolved before the design process can continue, adding time to the project.
4. The Interior Design Firm’s Workflow
The experience and workflow of the interior design firm you hire can also play a significant role in the timeline. Larger, more reputable firms tend to have established processes in place that can keep the project on track. Smaller firms or less experienced designers may take longer to source materials or coordinate the work.
It’s important to have a clear discussion with your interior designer about their approach to project timelines, how they manage resources, and what steps they take to mitigate delays.
Phases of the Interior Design Process
Interior design is a multi-stage process that requires careful planning, execution, and coordination. The time each phase takes can vary depending on the complexity of the project. Generally, the process can span anywhere from 14 to 31 weeks, depending on the scale of the work. Let’s break down the typical phases involved.
1. Initial Consultation
The first step in the design process is the initial meeting between you and your interior designer. This is where you’ll discuss your needs, design preferences, and the budget for the project. During this phase, your designer will get an understanding of your vision for the space and any specific requirements you may have.
This phase generally takes around 1 to 2 weeks to finalise. It’s essential to communicate clearly about your expectations and preferences so the designer can create a project brief that aligns with your vision.
2. Early Design Phase
Once the project brief is established, the designer will move into the early design phase. Here, they will create initial concepts, including floor plans, 3D renderings, and elevations. The goal is to refine the overall look and feel of the space while ensuring that it meets your needs and budget.
This phase typically takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the size of the project and the level of customisation required. For larger projects or full renovations, this phase may take longer to perfect.
3. Detailed Design Phase
Once you’ve approved the initial design concepts, the designer will move on to more detailed plans. This includes finalising the layout, choosing materials, and creating technical drawings for any required construction work. You’ll also receive a detailed breakdown of costs for materials, labour, and any other associated expenses.
The detailed design phase can take anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks, depending on how many adjustments are required and the complexity of the design.

4. Sourcing Materials and Coordination
Once the design is finalised, the next step is sourcing the materials. This phase involves working with suppliers to order furniture, flooring, lighting, paint, and other essential items. If custom-made pieces are involved, this may take longer to source.
This phase typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the availability of the materials and the lead times involved. It’s important to factor in time for shipping, as certain items may be backordered or delayed due to availability issues.
5. Installation and Setup
Once all materials are sourced, the installation process begins. This includes delivering furniture, laying flooring, painting walls, and setting up any custom-built pieces. The installation phase typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.
However, unexpected issues can arise during this phase, such as delays in the arrival of key pieces or scheduling conflicts with contractors, so it’s always wise to build some flexibility into your timeline.
6. Final Touches and Adjustments
The final phase involves adding those last finishing touches—styling the space with accessories, art, and ensuring everything is in place. This phase allows the designer to take a final look at the project and make any necessary adjustments.
Typically, this phase takes around 2 to 5 days to ensure everything is perfect and ready for you to move in.
Conclusion
Understanding the timeline of an interior design project can help you set realistic expectations and ensure a smooth process. While timelines can vary based on the scope of work, the design firm’s workflow, and other factors, having a clear plan and maintaining open communication with your designer will keep things on track.
Whether you’re updating a single room or undergoing a full renovation, it’s important to remember that interior design is a thoughtful and time-consuming process. By working closely with your designer and staying organised, you can enjoy the transformation of your space without unnecessary stress or delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Interior Design Fast-Paced?
Interior design is a modern, fast-paced industry requiring many talents and learned skills. Gaining interior design skills requires a strong work ethic and a deep passion for the craft.
Is Interior Design Easy Or Hard?
Interior designers must work hard to communicate their ideas and manage client expectations. You have to deal with tight budgets, last-minute decision changes, clients who don’t like your ideas, and projects that go differently than planned. Interior design can be stressful.
Is The Interior Design Good Or The Architecture?
Architecture may be a better fit if you’re more interested in the overall design and planning of buildings. If you’re more interested in designing and decorating living spaces, interior design may be the better choice. Both fields require a strong understanding of design principles and an eye for aesthetics.
Do Architects Know Interior Design?
Architects are adept at structural problem-solving and creative design for both exterior and interior building design. Interior architecture focuses on the functionality of a space.
Does Interior Design Fall Under Architecture?
To put it simply, architects design buildings and structures while interior designers design the interiors of these buildings. An architect is involved in the more technical aspects of the design process. Interior designers fill up and furnish empty interiors once a building is constructed.