What Exactly Is Full-Service Interior Design?

If you’ve started looking into hiring an interior designer, chances are you’ve come across the term “full-service design.” It sounds promising, right?

But also, a little vague. What does it really mean? Are there half-service designers out there? Is it just a fancy way of saying "We do a lot"?

Let’s clear it up.

At Sentenac House Interiors, we specialize in full-service interior design—and we think everyone deserves to understand what that actually includes, why it matters, and how it makes your life dramatically easier when it comes to creating a home you love.

What Does “Full-Service” Interior Design Mean?

In simple terms, full-service design means we handle every single part of the process. From the initial concepts all the way to the final styling and installation day, we take care of it all.

You, as the client, get to do the fun stuff: approving designs, giving feedback, and making the final calls. But the nitty-gritty? The 58 emails with your contractor? Tracking deliveries? Coordinating 6 tradespeople to show up in the right order? That’s on us.

It’s your vision. We just bring it to life—without the overwhelm.

Step-by-Step: What’s Included in Full- Service Interior Design

Let’s break down the major stages of what you get when you hire us for a full-service project:

A. Design Concepts and Vision Planning

This is where it starts. We meet, either virtually or in person, to talk through your needs, your goals, your style, and how you actually live in your space. Based on that, we create mood boards, inspiration imagery, and early ideas to capture the look and feel you’re after.

Why it matters: This gives your project direction. It’s how we make sure the end result is not only beautiful but also personal and functional.

A photo of a design concept presentation

B. Drawings, Floor Plans, and Technical Layouts

We produce scaled floor plans, elevations, 3D renderings (if applicable), and layout options. These are essential for both visualizing the space and giving direction to contractors and vendors.

Why it matters: Poor planning leads to costly mistakes. These documents are your design’s foundation.

A professionally designed room with clean floor plan layout

C. Project Coordination and Trade Communication

We don’t just hand off the plans and wish you luck. We work directly with your contractor (or help you find one) and coordinate with every trade involved—from electricians to tile installers to cabinetmakers. We provide them with detailed spec sheets, installation notes, and visuals to ensure everything gets built exactly the way it was designed.

Why it matters: Miscommunication during a renovation is common. We prevent that.

A Tracking sheet of interior design materials and warehouse deliveries for a project.

D. Sourcing, Purchasing, and Tracking

We source every item: furniture, lighting, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, hardware, accessories, art, rugs, window treatments, and more. Once you approve everything, we handle all the purchasing, payments, tracking, storage, and coordination of delivery.

Why it matters: Ordering errors and shipping delays are real. We handle every detail so you don’t have to.

Flat lay of interior design materials

E. Installation and Styling

This is the fun part: install day. We schedule everything so the space comes together at once, not in pieces. We style your home down to the final touches: throw pillows fluffed, art hung, candles placed, beds made. You walk into a finished space that feels like you—but elevated.

Why it matters: The reveal moment is part of the joy. We want it to be perfect.

Before and after photos showing a styled and completed interior design project

Why Clients Love Full-Service Design

The biggest reason? It saves time, energy, and serious stress.

Many of our clients are busy professionals, parents, or both. Trying to manage a renovation or redesign on your own means becoming a project manager overnight. You have to vet vendors, shop endlessly online, juggle lead times, solve problems when something doesn’t fit, and make decision after decision under pressure.

It’s exhausting. And frankly, it’s not your job.

Our job is to handle all of that—efficiently and with experience. So you can focus on your work, your family, and your life.

We always say: you don't know what you don't know. And that’s okay. We’ve already learned the hard lessons so you don’t have to.

What Sets Sentenac House Apart

We don’t just care about beautiful results. We care about how we get there. And that’s where our process really stands out.

Our founder, Nohea, comes from a corporate background in marketing and operations. That means we bring not just creativity, but structure and systems. You’ll always know what to expect, what’s coming next, and where your project stands. We over-communicate, so you're never left guessing.

Design doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right team, it can actually feel... easy.

FAQs

About Full-Service Interior Design

Q: Is full-service design only for big, luxury projects?
A: Not at all. We work with a range of project sizes, from one-room makeovers to full-home renovations. It’s about giving you the experience of ease and quality, no matter the scale.

Q: Do I have to give up control?
A: Nope! You’re involved in all the key decisions. We just take the legwork off your plate and guide you through the process.

Q: Can’t I just manage things myself and save money?
A: You can—but it often ends up costing more in the long run. Mistakes, delays, and do-overs can add up quickly. Our clients find that having a pro manage the details gives them better results and saves serious time.

Real Client Story:

From Overwhelmed to Overjoyed

Last year, we worked with a young couple renovating their first home. They’d already started the process and quickly realized they were in over their heads. Between work, a new baby, and supply chain issues, they were burnt out.

They came to us mid-project, and we stepped in to realign the vision, create clear plans, coordinate with their GC, and complete the design down to the final details. On install day, they walked into a finished living room, kitchen, and nursery—and didn’t have to lift a finger.

Their words? “It finally feels like our home. And we could never have done this without you.”

Thinking About Starting Your Own Project?

Whether you’re ready to go or just starting to think about redoing your space, we’re happy to chat. Full-service design isn’t about handing over control—it’s about having a partner who knows the process, speaks the language of contractors, and knows how to bring a vision to life, down to the smallest details.

Ready to get started?
DM us on Instagram @sentenachouseinteriors, or fill out the inquiry form on our site.

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Sentenac House Interiors | Full-Service Interior Design for Busy People Who Want Beautiful Homes—Without the Stress.