Blog - Beyond Cushions and Colour Charts

003 09 DEC '25

Beyond Cushions and Colour Charts: The Truth About Interior Design & Interior Architecture

As December rolls in and homes begin to sparkle with festive cheer, many of us start thinking about how our spaces really support the way we live — especially when hosting, relaxing, or simply escaping the chaos of the season.

Yet despite how central our homes are to everyday life, there are still widespread misconceptions about what interior designers actually do. And interestingly, these myths don’t just come from homeowners — they often come from architects and builders, too.

Let’s unwrap a few of the most common ones.

Studio JKL project,

our Detailed drawing package

Myth #1: “Interior Designers Just Pick Cushions, Curtain Fabrics and Colours”

(Often believed by clients… and sometimes underestimated by the wider industry)

Yes, we care about aesthetics — but that’s the visible layer, not the foundation.

Interior design is rooted in:

Spatial planning and layout optimisation
Understanding structure and architectural constraints
Technical detailing (joinery, lighting plans, services coordination)
How people actually move through and live in a space

We don’t just make spaces look good — we make them work. From kitchen ergonomics to storage planning, lighting design to bespoke joinery, every decision is intentional and functional.

Studio JKL project, photographed by Anna Stathaki

Studio JKL photo

Myth #2: “The Architect Handles Everything — We Don’t Need an Interior Designer”

(Often assumed by clients and occasionally by project teams)

Architects are brilliant at structure, planning consent and the building envelope. But they are not trained to design how you live inside that envelope every day.

Interior designers bridge the gap between:

Architectural intent
Technical buildability
And real-life function

Without this layer of thinking, homes can look impressive on paper but feel impractical in reality — awkward layouts, poor storage, badly positioned lighting, and furniture that doesn’t quite fit the way clients live.

Studio JKL project, Architects Plans

Studio JKL project,

our Detailed Electrical Plan

Myth #3: “Builders Will Figure It Out On Site”

(A dangerous belief held across many residential projects)

Builders are skilled at building — but they are not there to design.

Without a clear, coordinated interior design package, sites become reactive rather than strategic:

Decisions get made too late
Costs creep up unnecessarily
Compromises replace considered design

We provide detailed drawings, technical packages and specifications that allow builders to execute efficiently — reducing errors, delays and expensive changes.

Existing site at Shirley Kitchen Project by Studio JKL

3D visualisation of Shirley Kitchen design by Studio JKL

Myth #4: “Interior Designers Are a Luxury, Not a Necessity”

(A common assumption — until things start going wrong)

For busy professionals and families, interior design isn’t a luxury — it’s a safeguard. It protects:

Your time
Your budget
Your sanity
And ultimately, the quality of your home

Good design prevents mistakes, avoids costly reworks and maximises the value of your space long before a single cushion is plumped.

What We Actually Do at Studio JKL

At Studio JKL, we sit at the centre of the project — aligning the client’s lifestyle with architectural intent and build reality. We provide:

Interior architecture & spatial planning
Technical detailing and bespoke joinery design
Lighting and electrical layouts
FF&E specification and procurement
Full coordination between architect, contractor and trades

We don’t just make your home beautiful. We make it coherent, functional, and built to support real life. Because true design doesn’t start with colour charts — it starts with how you want to live.