Raj - What you say is true that a lot of interior design's margin is in furniture. I will not sugar coat it. And many designers may seem to be more interested in that when you bring them in. But I have had several clients call me over the years saying they are building a new home and would like to consult primarily on layout. When you speak to someone is tell them you are not ready to order furnishings or window treatments, but that you would like a contract that focuses on layout, planning, and interior detailing (i.e. doors, trims, floors) - i.e. the bones of the house. What I would suggest is when you call for a designer, you be prepared to pay a good consultation fee. A good rule of thumb is that you can expect to pay between $3-$10 per square foot of your home depending on the area of your country and the expertise/experience of the designer. If you are not averse to paying this type of fee, and communicate to the designer that your interest is in getting the best solutions, not in purchasing furniture at this time, I'm sure you will be able to get the level of service you desire. If someone you talk to doesn't seem thrilled to provide this kind of service, move on to the next person. Don't rely on "fame" or how well known someone is. They may be well known for doing show houses or just because they've been in the field the longest in your area. Not because they're the right fit for you. You could also check the Houzz directory for good designers in your area. The difficulty is that there are often decorators whose expertise and focus is really just on furnishings not so much on construction - and they serve a purpose for their clients. But there are other designers who provide more of a wholistic approach and have more familiarity with building a new home. These are the people you should seek out. Houzz is a fantastic community - and as I said you may get good advice here but there's really no replacement for someone to work with you in person. Sorry for the super long post but I feel passionately about this and I think this advice will best suit your needs.

My sofa is brown. Walls are light chocolate. Doors are a light green. Need color for ceiling other than white. Right? A light grey would look fabulous with the brown and the green: You could repeat the green in the same or different shade: Here is a brown room with blue on the ceiling and green in the adjacent room: Happy to hear you're putting color on the ceiling.

Hi rinqreation, the builder has done the basic wire layout already and the walls are plastered too, but the finish isn't complete - I think I am a bit late already. Also, the builder will not allow individual work to be done before they are ready to handover - but I am pressing for it - that's why asked for professional suggestion so that I can go back to the builder and press for it. Thanks again. I am not able to find an interior designer who could tell me in advance how the light, etc. plan has to be done so that I can ask the electrical guy to work accordingly. The interior designer wants to start their work only after the raw flat is ready.

We have taken help to prepare a layout plan of our apartment following are the key highlights 1) Would prefer unless unavoidable false ceiling lights, am more of a wall light or floor/desk lamp person 2) Kitchen layout is such that a large refrigerator cannot make way at the entrance of the kitchen.The left wall edge at the kitchen entrance can be torn down the right must stay (beam). Considering this I was thinking to take the slab to my right of kitchen entrance and keep the refrigerator 3ft width and 2.6 feet depth top left of the kitchen right next to the window and start the double sink right next to it. The right side of the wall to have cooking range and kitchen slab and aligned to the kitchen entrance wall a tall cabinet which will house the oven and microwave 3) The dining space has two two spots one adjacent to the kitchen and utility finishing at the study door. The second opposite to the kitchen entrance the cross path of Kids bedroom and master bedroom. 4) We wanted to have a 6-seater and looks like both the above spots as mentioned in point 3 cannot house it. Also we dont prefer a dining table right across from the main entrance. Hence we are looking at keeping a 4 seater (extendable ) aligned to the wall of the kitchen and utility area which finishes at the study entrance 5) There is an option to cave in the utility area into the living room , will that be of any good? 6) Entrance foyer - to have wooden beam like (lighter tone) work on ceiling and the wall on the right as we enter the apartment to have a low height shoe cabinet upto the edge. The edge of the wall to have a separator or Jaali to keep the visual away of the dining space from entrance. The shoe cabinet wall would have a large mirror on the upper halve. 7) Study room we prefer a colonial classic set up the powder room/small bathroom is being torn down to make that a part of the study. 8) Master bath and dresser area will need adjustment hence we thought of taking down the left wall of the bath and making the area look bigger. We are trying to avoid any plumbing work but there is an option we can do if there is a better plan. 9) Need ceiling and flooring ideas for the entire apartment. As of now we have thought to have a thematic approach of open beam light / heavy as a continuous theme in various ways all across the home.Marble tile of ivory is what we have thought now,with master bedroom and guest room to have a wooden flooring. Challnege is that builder has already provided flooring which we don’t like.So we can go tile on tile or break it up. 10) Guest room opposite to master bedroom has a cabinet designated area. Right beneath the window rather adjacent to it we prefer to have a seating area of 1.5 feet wall depth. 11) Kid room adjacent to the living room – we are looking for an idea for a cubboard. He is a 7 year old, hence making it childish theme and superhero look is not what he likes. He is a chess guy. Slightly serious for his age. :P 12) Looking at décor and design plan for both the balconies 13 ) any idea of change or improvisation for the rest of the two bathrooms 14) Want to prefer a sneakaway bar 15) Main entrance we prefer a larger 8 feet door than a current 7feet. Also entrance from outside wish a stone wall. 16) Does the idea of living room with one stone wall look good or rather textured wall in ivory. We wish to have large 7*8 or 6*5 painting on the opposite wall to TV above the sofa. We prefer the entrance wall of the living room to be the TV unit and Kids room wall of the living room to be the sofa wall. Largely to limit visitor free view towards the inside home areas. We also wish to have the TV sitting on top of an unit rather than wall fitted. Next to it could be floor lamps. I can also post additional photos or videos if required