Common Misconceptions About Interior Design

For many people, working with an interior designer is unfamiliar territory. Unless you’ve seen the process up close, it can be difficult to know what to expect — and a few long-standing misconceptions often get in the way.

At Fiona Brass Interiors, we believe good design is as much about listening and understanding as it is about aesthetics. Below, we’ve addressed some of the most common assumptions we hear, and what the reality of working together actually looks like.

“An Interior Designer Will Get Rid of Everything I Love”

One of the biggest concerns we hear is the fear of losing personality. In reality, the opposite is true.

Many of the most successful interiors are built around pieces that already hold meaning — artwork, furniture, or objects collected over time. Our role is to elevate those pieces, giving them space to be seen and appreciated rather than hidden amongst clutter.

Designing a calm home does not mean removing everything. It means being intentional. By understanding what matters most to you, we can design storage and layouts that allow treasured items to shine, while creating a sense of ease and clarity within the space.

“Interior Design Is Just About Colour and Décor”

While colour and decoration are important, they come much later in the process.

Every project begins with function and layout. How a room flows, how it’s used, and how it supports daily life are fundamental. Storage, lighting, electrical planning, and furniture placement are all carefully considered before any aesthetic decisions are made.

Only once this framework is in place do we begin layering materials, colour, and texture. This approach ensures the finished space not only looks considered, but works beautifully in practice.

“The Designer Makes All the Decisions”

Residential interior design is a collaborative process.

We take time to understand your preferences, routines, and priorities through detailed questionnaires and in-depth conversations. You remain informed and involved throughout, with clarity at every stage.

At the same time, our role is to remove unnecessary decision-making where it can feel overwhelming. We guide choices, manage detail, and apply our expertise so the process feels calm and supported rather than demanding. The result is a home that feels personal, without the stress that often accompanies renovation.

“Interior Design Isn’t Sustainable”

There’s a perception that interior design encourages constant change and excess. In reality, thoughtful design is rooted in longevity.

We encourage clients to invest in well-made, timeless pieces that will last, rather than replacing items frequently. When trends are introduced, they tend to appear in elements that are easy to update — such as paint, soft furnishings, or accessories.

This ‘buy once, buy well’ approach is kinder to the environment and creates homes that continue to feel relevant and comfortable over time.

A More Considered Way of Designing

Interior design isn’t about imposing a look or starting from scratch. It’s about understanding how you live, what matters to you, and how your home can support that more beautifully.

If you’ve been curious about working with an interior designer but unsure what the process really involves, we hope this has offered some clarity. And if you’d like to explore how a considered design approach could work for your home, we’d love to have a conversation.