What Goes On During an Install?

Install day is essentially the finish line in the interior design process. After months of planning, ordering, tracking shipments, and coordinating with vendors, the vision finally takes shape. All the furnishings, lighting, accessories, and art that have been carefully selected for the project are delivered to the project site. It’s a day filled with energy, teamwork, and transformation as an empty or unfinished space turns into a fully realized home.

The process usually begins early in the morning as the receiving company arrives with all the furnishings. Each piece is carefully unloaded, unwrapped, and inspected to make sure it’s in perfect condition. This step is crucial and usually takes the longest. Designers want to catch any last-minute issues immediately so that replacements can be sent if needed, and the final presentation is flawless. The receiving team then begins placing larger items like sofas, tables, and beds in their designated spots, following the space plans that have been perfected over months of work on the project. Each piece that arrives is diligently recorded by our team in our receiving reports, ensuring that nothing is forgotten or missed and damages can be notated to ensure proper action is taken.

Once the main pieces are in place, then the magic really begins. We will start layering in rugs, lamps, and accessories, making adjustments as needed to ensure the space feels balanced and inviting. Pillows are fluffed, artwork is hung, and bookshelves are styled. These finishing touches are what transform the space from simply “furnished” into something warm, personal, and beautiful. It’s where the client’s personality and lifestyle are woven into the design.

Install days can also come with challenges. Timelines are often tight, and unexpected hiccups like a piece arriving damaged, a delivery being delayed, or a measurement being slightly off, require flexibility and problem-solving on the spot. Our team is not only made of creatives, but also project managers, troubleshooters, and leaders. The ability to pivot gracefully ensures that you as the homeowner never feel the stress behind the scenes.

By the end of the day, when everything is in place and the last accessory is styled, our goal is to step back and really take in the full transformation. For the client, walking into their home and seeing it completely finished for the first time is often an emotional experience. The months of planning, construction, and waiting are finally worth it! And for us as the designers, install day is the most rewarding part of the job. It’s the moment where months of hard work and planning come together to create a space that feels effortless, inspiring, and ready to be lived in.

We are always happy to talk with you and answer any questions you may have about our design process at Gem and Clay Interiors. Give us a call, leave us a message or question in our contact form, and follow us on Instagram to see what we’re currently working on.