Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our interior design services, design process and working together.

At Cigal Kaplan Interiors, we believe your home should be a reflection of who you are and how you live. Whether you’re planning a complete renovation, redesigning a single room or simply looking for expert advice, we’re here to help you create a home that’s beautiful, functional and uniquely yours.

Below are answers to some of the questions we’re most frequently asked.

Working With an Interior Designer

An interior designer brings professional experience, creativity and practical knowledge to your project, helping you make confident decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

At Cigal Kaplan Interiors, we take the time to understand your lifestyle, personality and aspirations. Our aim is to create beautiful, functional spaces that enhance the way you live and bring you joy for years to come.

We also collaborate with architects, contractors and specialist suppliers to help bring your vision to life.

Interior design fees vary depending on the size, complexity and scope of your project.

At Cigal Kaplan Interiors, we offer several ways to work with us, from a one-off design consultation to a complete interior design service.

For larger projects, we prepare a tailored proposal outlining the scope of work, design stages and associated fees, so you understand exactly what is included before we begin.

We believe in transparency and helping our clients choose the right level of support for their needs and budget.

Working with an interior designer can save you valuable time, reduce the risk of expensive mistakes and help you achieve a more cohesive result.

From selecting the right furniture proportions and materials to coordinating colours, lighting and finishes, professional guidance can make the design process considerably easier.

An interior designer can also introduce you to specialist suppliers, craftspeople and products that you might not otherwise discover.

Most importantly, we help you create a home that works beautifully for you.

Absolutely. You don’t need to renovate your entire home to benefit from professional interior design advice.

We offer room-by-room design services, whether you’re looking to refresh a living room, redesign a bedroom, create a home office or transform a dining space.

We can help with furniture layouts, colour schemes, lighting, materials, furniture and accessories, depending on your requirements.

Our Interior Design Services

We offer a range of services tailored to different projects, budgets and levels of support.

These include:

  • Full-service residential interior design
  • Single-room interior design
  • Designer for a Day
  • Interior Design SOS online consultations
  • Furniture, lighting and accessories sourcing
  • Garden and outdoor space design

Whether you’re looking for a complete transformation or simply need professional guidance, we can recommend the most suitable service.

Designer for a Day is a personalised, hands-on interior design consultation in your own home.

During our visit, we walk through your spaces together, discuss your ideas and explore practical solutions to improve your home.

We can advise on furniture placement, colour schemes, lighting, materials, styling and how to make better use of your existing furniture.

Rather than producing formal moodboards or technical drawings, the focus is on creative, practical advice that you can take away and implement with confidence.

Discover Designer for a Day

Interior Design SOS is a personalised, one-to-one online consultation for anyone looking for professional interior design advice without committing to a full design project.

Whether you’re struggling with furniture layouts, choosing paint colours, selecting lighting or making decisions about a renovation, this service is designed to help you move forward with confidence.

Before our Zoom consultation, we review your photographs, plans and questions so that we can make the most of our time together.

It’s also ideal for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the renovation process, from understanding architects’ drawings to knowing which professionals to appoint.

Discover Interior Design SOS

Both services provide personalised professional interior design advice, but they offer different ways of working together.

Interior Design SOS is an online consultation, ideal for specific design questions, dilemmas or guidance during a renovation.

Designer for a Day is an in-home consultation where we can explore your spaces together and provide practical, creative advice in person.

If you’re unsure which service is right for you, we’re happy to help you choose.

Yes. Furniture, lighting and accessories are an important part of creating a beautiful and harmonious interior.

We work with an extensive network of manufacturers, artisans and specialist suppliers, including trade-only brands that may not be readily available to the public.

Depending on your project, we can assist with selecting, sourcing, purchasing and coordinating the delivery of furniture, lighting and decorative pieces.

Absolutely, we believe that a home should tell the story of the people who live there.

We often work with clients who have treasured furniture, family heirlooms, artwork or collections they would like to incorporate into a new design.

Rather than replacing everything, we explore how existing pieces can be combined with new elements to create an interior that feels personal, layered and individual.

Fees, Budgets and Planning

Understanding your budget is an important part of the design process.

We discuss your priorities early on and help you make informed decisions about where to invest and where more economical alternatives may be appropriate.

A successful interior doesn’t necessarily depend on choosing the most expensive products. It’s about selecting the right combination of materials, furniture, lighting and finishes to create a harmonious and well-considered space.

This depends on the nature and extent of your project.

An architect typically focuses on the building’s structure, architectural design, planning requirements and technical construction information.

An interior designer focuses on how the internal spaces function, feel and look, including layouts, materials, lighting, furniture, finishes and the overall design experience.

For larger renovations, architects and interior designers often work together from the early stages to ensure the architecture and interiors complement one another.

At Cigal Kaplan Interiors, we regularly collaborate with architects and other professionals to create a cohesive result.

The timescale depends on the size and complexity of the project, the services required and whether construction work is involved.

A single-room design will generally take less time than a complete house renovation.

At the beginning of the project, we discuss your preferred timeline and explain the anticipated design stages.

We also consider supplier lead times and the availability of bespoke products, which can influence the overall programme.

The Interior Design Process

Every project is different, but our full interior design service generally follows four stages.

Stage 1: Concept Design

We explore your brief, develop layouts, establish the design direction and present initial concepts, materials and inspiration.

Stage 2: Detailed Design and Budgeting

We refine the approved concept, develop specifications, coordinate relevant design details and prepare the furniture, fixtures and equipment budget.

Stage 3: Construction Design Coordination

We liaise with the project team, respond to design-related queries and provide the agreed level of support during implementation.

Stage 4: Snagging and Final Review

We review the completed design works, identify outstanding design-related items and help bring the project towards completion.

The precise services included in each stage are outlined in your individual proposal.

Yes. At Cigal Kaplan Interiors, we regularly collaborate with architects, building contractors, Quantity Surveyors (QS), lighting designers, joiners and other specialist consultants to ensure a well-coordinated and successful project.

We particularly value working with Quantity Surveyors on larger renovation projects, as they provide independent cost advice, prepare detailed construction budgets, manage tendering processes and help monitor expenditure throughout the project.

We believe that good design and careful financial planning should go hand in hand. Working collaboratively from the early stages allows us to make informed design decisions, manage budgets more effectively and reduce the risk of unexpected costs.

We are equally happy to join an existing professional team or collaborate with specialists appointed for your project.

At Cigal Kaplan Interiors, we really enjoy working alongside Quantity Surveyors (QS), particularly on larger residential renovations, as we believe that good design and careful financial planning go hand in hand.

While we focus on the creative vision, materials, finishes and overall design, the Quantity Surveyor helps manage the financial side of the construction project, ensuring that budgets are carefully monitored and costs remain transparent.

A Quantity Surveyor can prepare detailed cost plans, obtain and review contractors’ tenders, assess variations, monitor expenditure and manage much of the financial administration throughout the construction process.

They also work closely with the wider project team to help identify potential delays and cost implications, supporting better planning and decision-making.

For our clients, this collaboration provides reassurance that the creative vision is supported by professional financial oversight.

We believe that having the right team in place from the beginning makes the entire renovation process more organised, efficient and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Depending on the stage of your renovation and the assistance required, we may be able to help.

We understand that projects can sometimes become overwhelming, particularly when you’re faced with numerous decisions about materials, layouts, lighting and finishes.

Our Interior Design SOS or Designer for a Day services may be suitable if you need focused advice.

For more extensive assistance, we can discuss the scope of your project and recommend an appropriate level of support.

Our Design Approach

Our approach isn’t defined by one particular style.

We believe that every home should reflect the personality, lifestyle and aspirations of the people who live there.

Whether you prefer contemporary, traditional, eclectic or understated interiors, we focus on creating spaces that feel harmonious, comfortable and timeless.

We enjoy combining textures, materials, artwork and carefully considered details to create homes with character and individuality.

Creating a sense of luxury isn’t necessarily about spending more money.

Thoughtful lighting, beautiful textures, well-proportioned furniture and a cohesive colour palette can make a remarkable difference.

Sometimes, simply rearranging furniture, introducing a statement piece of artwork or updating soft furnishings can completely change the atmosphere of a room.

The key is understanding what works for your space and choosing quality over quantity.

Garden Design and Outdoor Spaces

Yes. Alongside our interior design services, we also offer garden and outdoor space design.

We believe outdoor spaces should feel like a natural extension of the home, creating a seamless connection between inside and outside.

Whether you’re looking to redesign a garden, improve an outdoor entertaining area or create a more welcoming entrance, we consider the layout, materials, planting and overall atmosphere to create a cohesive design.

Absolutely, at Cigal Kaplan Interiors, we believe your garden should be a natural extension of your home, creating a beautiful connection between indoor and outdoor living.

Just as we carefully plan the layout of your interiors, we approach garden design by considering how you want to use your outdoor space. Whether that’s creating areas for relaxing, entertaining, outdoor dining or family activities, thoughtful space planning is essential to making the most of your garden.

We consider everything from planting schemes, landscaping materials and outdoor lighting to seating areas, water features, BBQ spaces and outdoor kitchens. We also look at practical considerations, such as creating privacy from neighbouring properties, incorporating child-friendly play areas and selecting plants that are suitable for children and pets.

The relationship between the house and garden is equally important. By considering colours, textures, greenery, views and lighting, we can create a seamless flow between the two spaces, making your garden feel like another room of your home.

Whether you have a small London courtyard, a family garden or a larger outdoor space, our aim is to create a garden that is not only beautiful throughout the seasons but also practical, welcoming and perfectly suited to your lifestyle.

Absolutely, even a small outdoor space can become a beautiful and functional extension of your home with the right design.

The key is careful space planning. We look at how you want to use your garden, whether that’s creating a peaceful retreat, a comfortable seating area, somewhere to entertain friends or a safe space for children and pets.

We consider planting schemes, privacy, lighting, materials and furniture proportions to make the most of the available space.

Vertical planting, carefully positioned greenery, layered lighting and multifunctional furniture can all help a compact garden feel more spacious and inviting.

Whether it’s a courtyard, terrace or small family garden, our aim is to create an outdoor space that feels thoughtfully designed and enjoyable to use.

Locations and Getting Started

Cigal Kaplan Interiors is a London-based interior and garden design studio, working on residential projects throughout London and internationally.

We work across North, Central and West London, including St John’s Wood, Hampstead, West Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, Belsize Park, Primrose Hill, Whetstone, Marylebone, Mayfair, Pimlico, Chelsea and South Kensington.

Our experience includes period properties, contemporary apartments, family homes and complete residential renovations.

Whether you’re looking for a full-service interior designer, a single-room transformation, garden design or a personalised design consultation, we would be delighted to discuss your project

The first step is to get in touch and tell us a little about your project.

We usually begin with an introductory conversation to understand your property, the work you’re considering, your preferred timescale and the type of assistance you need.

From there, we can recommend the most suitable service, whether that’s Interior Design SOS, Designer for a Day, a single-room design or a full interior design project.

We look forward to hearing about your ideas and helping you create a home that feels truly yours.

Ready to transform your home?

Contact Cigal Kaplan Interiors

Cigal Kaplan Interiors provides residential interior and garden design services throughout London.

Cigal Kaplan is pleased to show examples of her work in Finchley, St Johns Wood, Baker Street, Hampstead and Belsize Park.