When researching the differences between residential design and interior design in Calgary, the lines are easily blurred. Aren’t they the same thing? While both focus on creating improved living spaces, the answer isn’t always clear, so let us help.
Read along as we explore residential and interior design, their details, benefits, uses, and how they overlap.
What Is Residential Design?
Residential design involves the strategic planning of a home, from its structure to the systems integrated within it. The design phase is concerned with the exterior style and curb appeal of a home as much as its interior function, efficiency, and safety.
The process starts with an in-depth design questionnaire and consultation and continues through to construction. Combining the aesthetic with the technical, residential design requires creativity and innovation to transform clients’ wants and needs into the home of their dreams.
Key takeaways:
- Residential designers are responsible for the look and feel of a home
- The process considers the function and structure of a home
- It should take the climate, topography, and surrounding environment into consideration
What Does a Residential Designer Do?
Residential designers in Calgary and beyond often possess Architectural Technologies diplomas and draft detailed plans and designs for new homes or major renovations. At Ellergodt Design, our team is made up of professionals with years of experience in designing homes inside and out. From floor plan design and use of space to exterior design and dealing with permits, we also connect homeowners with builders, developers, and municipal planning departments.
Key takeaways:
- A residential design orchestrates the overall vision of a home build
- We possess diplomas in Architectural Technologies
- We handle both the interior and exterior home design
- We facilitate relationships between homeowners, builders, and developers
When a Residential Designer Is Needed
Hiring a residential designer is essential for projects that require detailed knowledge, such as custom home builds or renovations. We’re particularly vital when navigating the permit process or tailoring design to fit specific zoning restrictions.
With our vast experience and knowledge, we can help overcome challenges that arise from tricky lots and ensure all of your needs are taken into account. The beauty of hiring a custom home designer versus choosing stock home plans lies in the personalization.
We take your vision boards, family needs, style preferences, and more into mind when designing your custom home. Plus, we can refine these plans along the way if you think of other details you’d like included.
Benefits of Residential Design
Depending on your unique needs, residential design can bring about the following benefits:
- Enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home
- Creating a home that is tailored to your specific family’s needs
- Boosts market value
- Improves energy efficiency
- Reduces maintenance costs
- Increases overall sustainability
Examples of Residential Design in Calgary
Toronto Crescent Modern Renewal
A classic with good bones, we created the custom design for this home which was renovated by West Ridge Fine Homes. It was awarded a 2019 CHBA National Award for Housing Excellence.
Silverhorn Luxury Estate
In collaboration with West Ridge Fine Homes, this Silverhorn showhome showcases great design and the builder’s attention to quality and craftsmanship.
Charleswood Modern Home Renovation
Designed for resale, this residential design in Charleswood kept the mid-century feel of the house while expanding and updating to current trends. It was a finalist in the 2019 CHBA National Awards.
What Is Interior Design?
Interior design is the art of enhancing the interior of a building to make it more aesthetically pleasing and functional for the people using the space. It’s not restricted to homes but is used in workplaces and hotels too.
Interior design focuses on layout, material selection, furniture arrangement, colour schemes, and decorative elements, personalizing and beautifying living or working spaces.
Key takeaways:
- Focus on style, comfort, functionality, and personal expression
- Used in homes, workplaces, hotels, and more
- Includes everything from materials and colour schemes to space planning and traffic flow
What Does an Interior Designer Do?
Interior designers craft visual stories within homes. They select furniture, colour schemes, lighting, accessories, and more that reflect the client’s personality and functional needs. They also manage installations and coordinate with contractors to bring their designs to life.
Key takeaways:
- Interior designers make spaces work for you
- They combine style with functionality for a bespoke living environment
- They plan new interiors or makeover existing ones
When an Interior Designer Is Needed
Interior design comes in handy when building a new home or renovating an existing one. Whether you’d like to update a single room or overhaul your entire home, interior designers in Calgary or beyond can provide the expertise needed to translate your vision into a reality.
Benefits of Interior Design
The unique interior design of your home will depend on your needs, preferences, and personal style, but typically, you can expect benefits such as:
- Enhanced usability of your home
- Improved comfort
- Reflected personal style
Examples of Interior Design in Calgary
Residential Design & Interior Design Can Work Together
You can see how different residential and interior design are, though they both have benefits and can improve the function and enhance the style of your home. The great thing is that these two disciplines can work together to transform your home, creating spaces that are structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing.
Collaborating from the start of a project ensures that structural integrity and interior style work together to create a seamless, unified home environment.
When Does Interior Design Begin in the Custom Home Design Process?
Residential design is everything up to the drywall stage of construction and interior design is tying in all the interior selections required from that point on.
While the interior design process won’t begin until the residential design is nearly complete, bringing interior designers in on the project before the house is built or the renovation is complete is always a good idea.
Find Balanced Home Design at Ellergodt Design
While residential design refers to the structural design and overall style of your home, interior design handles the finishing interior touches that accentuate your preferred aesthetic. Plus, when there’s cohesion between your residential and interior design, the results are further amplified.
Are you at the beginning stages of building a custom home or renovation? Residential design is where you’ll start. Looking to refresh your space with updated interior design? Ellergodt Design’s team of experts can help with both residential and interior design in Calgary and beyond.
Call us at 587-803-3715 to discuss the many possibilities with our residential and interior designers in Calgary, Alberta.