The Impact of the Real Estate Market on Interior Design: Trends and Insights
As the owner of FLD, with more than two decades of experience in luxury moving and warehousing, I’ve observed some pretty interesting dynamic shifts over time. In the past two years in particular, I’ve noticed a fascinating trend that’s disrupted traditional workflows and created new challenges–and opportunities–for interior designers. Here’s a deeper look at the real estate market impact on interior design.
A Spike in High-Demand Properties and Fast Turnover
Real estate has always had its ups and downs, but has been especially erratic in recent times. Specifically, there has been an unprecedented situation taking place, in which luxury homes (typically between 8,000 and 10,000 square feet) are selling lightning-fast, sometimes even a couple of months after a designer completed the project. The properties are being snapped up by buyers who make such significant offers that the buyers feel compelled to sell to them–and quickly.
Making these circumstances even more unique is that many buyers also stipulate that the homes remain fully furnished. You can see how such events create challenges and opportunities if you’re an interior designer. Imagine finishing a project only to be told you now have a compressed timeline to finish that client’s next project since they’ll be moving.
This creates a cycle of continuous adjustment, including modifying designs, considering what clients learned from the past home, and making plans for the next home before the dust even settles from the last one.
The Dynamic Between Real Estate and Interior Design
Real estate and interior design have always been interrelated, but they’re now feeding off each other in ways we’ve never seen before. With the luxury market in particular moving so fast, designers can’t only make homes aesthetically stunning. They also have to make them functional and versatile, knowing that a new buyer might swoop in much earlier than anticipated.
To help designers work with such swift turnover, here are some considerations:
- Flexibility in Design: Plan to use design choices that are adaptable and appeal to the current buyer, but have broad appeal for future buyers, too.
- Time Constraints: Expect to work under tighter deadlines than you’re used to. This will necessitate that you seamlessly collaborate with moving companies, contractors and other service providers.
- Client Mobility: Given market conditions, remember that a client might have a gap of time in which their prior property has been sold, and their next one hasn’t yet closed. With this in mind, be prepared to help coordinate temporary rentals or transitional spaces that are fully furnished and livable.
The Power of Collaboration
I’ve seen firsthand how a smooth collaboration can make or break a project. When clients need help with major projects under tight timelines, you (the designer) must ensure strong communication and planning between yourself, the movers and the storage providers.
Here’s how we, as luxury movers, have adapted to meet designers’ changing needs:
- Storage Solutions: When homes sell fast, clients often have to temporarily store their furniture and decor. To accommodate this, we’ve expanded our luxury storage options, allowing designers to keep clients’ custom furniture and decor safe during transitional periods.
- White-Glove Moving Services: Our clientele often have high-end furniture, delicate belongings and expensive artwork and decor that need expert handling. Our entire team is trained to work alongside designers to ensure everything stays in top condition and is ready to be delivered with care to the next space.
- Coordination of Timing: Moving, storing and reinstalling furniture on tight schedules requires complex logistics, which we help manage. This coordination gives both designers and homeowners the peace of mind to know their projects are on track.
The Future of Real Estate & Interior Design
If the signs are correct, the current trends in the real estate market are not going to slow down anytime soon. As long as buyers will pay top dollar for fully furnished luxury homes, interior designers will continue to be met with these new challenges and opportunities.
There’s no doubt about the real estate market impact on interior design. If you’re finding yourself in these situations with your clientele, rest assured—we can help. Give us a call to see how we can help you (and your clients) thrive in this fast-paced, dynamic environment.