How to Develop an Interior Design Package for Your Whole-Home Remodel
An interior design package is your comprehensive specification document for every finish, fixture, and detail in your home. Creating this before construction starts prevents delays, ensures design cohesion, and allows you to make decisions thoughtfully rather than under pressure on the job site.
Quick Summary
Time needed
8-16 weeks
Difficulty
High (many decisions)
Cost
$10,000-$50,000+ (design fees)
Why a Complete Design Package Matters
A whole-home remodel involves thousands of individual selections—from door hardware to grout colors to light fixture finishes. Without a comprehensive design package, you'll be making decisions under pressure while construction crews wait. That's how expensive mistakes happen.
Professional designers create cohesive packages where every element works together. They think about sightlines, flow, and how materials interact across rooms. This level of coordination is nearly impossible to achieve making selections piecemeal during construction.
The True Cost of Incomplete Selections
- • Delayed tile selection = $500-$1,000/day in crew standby costs
- • Rush shipping for late-ordered fixtures = 2-3x normal cost
- • Wrong fixture that doesn't fit = return/reorder + delay
- • Mismatched finishes = regret and potential replacement
- Prevents construction delays: Every item specified and ordered before work begins. No waiting on selections.
- Ensures design cohesion: All selections work together across the entire home, not just room by room.
- Allows thoughtful decisions: Make choices with time to consider, not under job site pressure.
- Enables accurate budgeting: Know actual costs of all finishes before construction starts.
- Provides contractor clarity: Clear specifications eliminate guesswork and disputes about intent.
Design Package Components
A comprehensive interior design package covers every visible surface and element in your home. Here's what should be included.
Color Palette and Paint
A cohesive color palette ties the whole home together while allowing variety between spaces.
Specifications Needed:
- • Wall paint color for every room (brand, color name, code)
- • Ceiling paint color (typically different from walls)
- • Trim and door paint color
- • Cabinet paint or stain color
- • Accent wall colors if applicable
- • Exterior paint colors
- • Sheen level for each application (flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss)
Flooring
Flooring sets the foundation for the entire design. Selections need to work across adjacent spaces and transitions.
Specifications Needed:
- • Material type for each area (hardwood, tile, LVP, carpet)
- • Specific product (manufacturer, collection, color, size)
- • Pattern or layout direction
- • Transition details between different materials
- • Grout color for tile
- • Carpet pad specifications
- • Radiant heat compatibility if applicable
Budget Guidelines:
- • Hardwood: $8-$15/sqft installed
- • Engineered wood: $6-$12/sqft
- • LVP: $4-$8/sqft installed
- • Tile: $8-$25/sqft installed
- • Carpet: $3-$8/sqft installed
Lead Times:
- • Stock hardwood: 1-2 weeks
- • Custom hardwood: 4-8 weeks
- • Import tile: 6-12 weeks
- • Standard carpet: 1-2 weeks
Cabinetry and Millwork
Cabinets are typically the largest single expenditure in a whole-home remodel. Specifications must be precise.
Specifications Needed:
- • Cabinet manufacturer and line
- • Door style and finish
- • Interior organization (pull-outs, dividers, lazy susans)
- • Crown molding style
- • Hardware style and finish
- • Built-in designs (bookcases, entertainment centers)
- • Closet systems
- • Baseboard and casing profiles
Countertops and Surfaces
Countertops must be selected early as they require templating after cabinet installation and have fabrication lead times.
Specifications Needed:
- • Material type (quartz, granite, marble, butcher block)
- • Specific slab or color selection
- • Edge profile
- • Thickness
- • Backsplash material and height
- • Sink cutout style
- • Seam locations for large surfaces
Tile Selections
Tile appears throughout the home—bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, entryways. Each application needs complete specifications.
Specifications Needed:
- • Floor tile for each space (manufacturer, style, size, color)
- • Wall tile selections
- • Shower wall and floor tile
- • Accent tile and decorative elements
- • Grout color for each application
- • Layout pattern (stack bond, brick, herringbone)
- • Trim pieces (bullnose, pencil liner, chair rail)
- • Schluter or transition strips
Fixtures and Hardware
The "jewelry" of your home. These details tie spaces together and reflect your personal style.
Specifications Needed:
Plumbing Fixtures
- • Kitchen faucet
- • Bathroom faucets
- • Shower/tub fixtures
- • Toilets
- • Sinks and basins
- • Tub selection
Hardware
- • Cabinet knobs and pulls
- • Door hardware (hinges, knobs)
- • Towel bars and accessories
- • Robe hooks
- • Toilet paper holders
- • Outlet/switch covers
Working with Your Designer
The design package development process is collaborative. Here's what to expect from your designer and how to make the process efficient.
1. Concept Development (2-3 weeks)
Your designer will present overall direction: color palette mood boards, style references, and initial material concepts. You'll discuss what resonates and refine the direction.
2. Material Research (4-6 weeks)
Designer researches specific products that fit your style, budget, and quality requirements. Expect showroom visits, sample reviews, and multiple options for each category.
3. Selection Meetings
Scheduled sessions to review and approve categories. Bring decision-makers to every meeting. Postponed decisions become schedule problems later.
4. Specification Documentation
Final package includes detailed specs: product names, model numbers, colors, quantities, vendor contacts. This becomes your construction reference document.
Decision-Making Tips
- • See materials in person—never decide from online images alone
- • Take samples home to view in your lighting
- • Trust your designer's expertise on coordination
- • Make decisions by deadline—analysis paralysis delays everything
- • Document why you chose each item (helps with future changes)
Budget Allocation Guidelines
Understanding typical cost distribution helps you allocate your finish budget effectively.
Typical Interior Finish Budget Distribution:
For a $300,000 whole-home remodel, expect to spend $80,000-$120,000 on interior finishes and fixtures, excluding labor for installation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Making selections without seeing actual samples
Why it's a problem: Colors and textures look different on screens than in real life
What to do instead: Always get physical samples. View them in your actual lighting conditions at different times of day.
Selecting room by room instead of holistically
Why it's a problem: Creates disjointed design that doesn't flow between spaces
What to do instead: Work with designer to establish whole-home palette first, then apply to individual rooms.
Leaving selections 'for later'
Why it's a problem: Causes construction delays and rushed decisions
What to do instead: Complete 100% of selections before construction starts. No exceptions.
Ignoring lead times
Why it's a problem: Out-of-stock items delay installation and throw off schedule
What to do instead: Verify availability and lead time before finalizing. Order long-lead items immediately.
Choosing trendy over timeless
Why it's a problem: Trends date quickly; you'll live with these choices for decades
What to do instead: Use trendy elements in easily changed items (paint, accessories). Keep major investments timeless.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in an interior design package?
A complete package includes: color palette, flooring specs, cabinet designs, countertops, tile selections, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, hardware, paint colors, window treatments, millwork details, and furniture recommendations.
How much does interior design cost for a whole-home remodel?
Designers charge $100-$300/hour or 10-20% of project budget. For a $300,000 remodel, expect $30,000-$60,000 for comprehensive services. Trade discounts often offset much of this cost.
How long does it take to develop an interior design package?
Expect 8-16 weeks for a whole-home package. This includes concept development (2-3 weeks), material selection (4-6 weeks), documentation (2-4 weeks), and revisions (2-3 weeks).
Should I make all selections before construction starts?
Yes. Incomplete selections cause delays and rushed decisions. Long-lead items need 8-16 weeks. Complete everything before breaking ground.
Can I handle interior design myself?
Challenging for whole-home remodels. Professionals bring experience, trade discounts (20-40% off), and prevent expensive mistakes. For projects over $150,000, design fees typically pay for themselves.
Ready for the Next Step?
With your interior design package developed, the next step is finalizing every individual material and finish selection. This detailed work ensures nothing is left to chance during construction.