Interior Design and Home Staging FAQs
Answers to the questions we hear most about interior design and home staging in Fort Collins and across Northern Colorado. For project details, see our Interior Design and Home Staging pages, or call (970) 286-9918.
Interior Design FAQs
How much does an interior designer cost in Fort Collins?
​
Interior design costs depend on the scope of the project, not a single flat rate. Square footage, the number of rooms, how much sourcing and build coordination is involved, and your timeline all shape the investment. We discuss pricing at your design consultation, once we understand your space and goals.
​
​
Do you offer interior design services in Fort Collins and Northern Colorado?
​
Yes, our studio is at 3501 S Mason Street, Suite 2, in Fort Collins, and we take design projects across Northern Colorado. That includes Boulder, Loveland, Greeley, Windsor, and Longmont. Call (970) 286-9918, Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm, to talk through where your project is located.
​
​
When should I hire an interior designer for a remodel?
​
Hire a designer before construction starts, ideally while the plans are still flexible. Early involvement lets us settle the layout, plan selections, and coordinate with your contractor so decisions are not rushed mid-build. If you are already under way, we can still help with finishes and details, so reach out whenever you are ready.
​
​
What is the difference between space planning and full-service design?
​
Space planning focuses on layout: accurate 2D floor plans and furniture layouts that show how a room will work. Full-service design goes further, covering the overall vision, material selections, and often furnishings, procurement, and on-site guidance. Our Drawn to Scale service handles planning alone, and our Signature Service covers the whole project.
​
​
Can you help me choose finishes if I already have a contractor?
​
Yes. Our Materials Edit is built for exactly that. When the layout is set and the details feel overwhelming, we help you narrow surfaces, fixtures, and finishes without full-scale design involvement. You get a clear, cohesive set of selections to hand to your contractor, and we can talk through how it fits your project.
​
​
Do you design kitchens and bathrooms?
​
Yes. Kitchens and bathrooms are a core part of remodel work, and Mandy Khaffaji is an NKBA Associate Kitchen + Bath Designer. We plan the layout, fixtures, cabinetry, and finishes so the space works well day to day and looks cohesive with the rest of your home.
​
​
What does NKBA Associate Kitchen + Bath Designer mean?
​
NKBA is the National Kitchen & Bath Association, and Mandy Khaffaji holds its Associate Kitchen + Bath Designer credential. For you, that means kitchen and bath planning is part of her training, not an add-on. She also has a degree in Interior Design + Architecture and is a member of ASID.
​
​
Do you work with my contractor, or do you manage the build?
​
Both are possible. On full-service remodels, we can coordinate with our contractor and trade partners and manage the project through construction, so you have one point of contact. If you already have a contractor, we can design the plans and selections and work alongside them. We confirm the approach at your consultation.
​
​
Can you do a small project, like one room?
​
Yes. Not every project is a full remodel, and our services are set up in levels for that reason. A single room might need only a floor plan, a set of finish selections, or a furnishing and styling plan. We help you pick the level of support that matches the project.
​
​
Can I hire you for furniture and decor only?
​
Yes. Our Curated + Collected service covers furniture, lighting, decor, and architectural details, without a remodel. It works for lived-in homes and for furnished rentals, including short-term rentals. If you are unsure whether you need furnishings only or more design support, a consultation will sort that out.
​
​
Do you offer e-design or remote interior design?
​
Most of our projects begin with an in-home consultation, so we can see the space, how you live in it, and what is and is not working. If you are outside our service area, call (970) 286-9918 and ask.
​
​
How long does an interior design project take?
​
It depends on the scope. A project can take as little as about 4 weeks, though that is hard to achieve, and larger projects can run 6 to 9 months or longer. Your consultation is typically scheduled within about a month of calling, and we give you a clearer timeline once the scope is defined.
​
​
What should I have ready before my design consultation?
​
Start with what you like, and just as important, what you do not like. Pinterest boards help. Photos of the space and a sense of your timeline are useful too. It also helps us to know your investment range early, so our recommendations are realistic for your project.
​
​
Do you work with homeowners who are about to sell?
​
Yes. Our Designed to Sell service is for homes preparing to go on the market, led by designers with extensive experience renovating and flipping properties for resale. We help decide where to invest and what to update. We do not guarantee a sale price or days on market, since market conditions are outside our control.
​
​
Do you also offer home staging in Fort Collins?
​
Yes. Narrative Interiors offers Market-Ready Staging for homes heading to market, using our own inventory of furniture, art, and decor for vacant properties. Occupied homes can get a Listing Restyle, a flat-fee service of up to 2 hours using your existing furnishings. Visit our staging page for details.
Home Staging FAQs
How much does home staging cost in Fort Collins?
​
The cost depends on the size of the home, which rooms are staged, whether it is vacant or occupied, and how long the staging stays. We prepare a proposal after the consultation so you see the scope and pricing before anything is scheduled.
​
​
How long does staging stay in the home?
​
The first 30 days are included with installation and removal. After that, staging can stay in place month to month for a rental fee, and we do not currently set a limit on how long. When you are ready for it to come out, we need one week's notice.
​
​
Do you stage vacant homes?
​
Yes, vacant homes are our full staging service. We bring our own inventory of furniture, rugs, art, lighting, and accessories and select pieces to suit that specific home. Each property is staged individually, so the furniture matches its architecture, scale, and style rather than repeating one package.
​
​
Do you stage occupied homes?
​
Yes, through a Listing Restyle. We work with the furniture and decor you already own, editing, rearranging, and styling the rooms so the home presents well for market. It is a flat fee for up to two hours, and we bring artwork if the rooms need it.
​
​
Does staging help a house sell?
​
Staging helps buyers see how a home can be used and shows its best features in photos and showings. We do not guarantee a sale price or days on market, because market conditions and buyer behavior are outside our control. Our recommendations are informed by real experience renovating and flipping homes.
​
​
How much notice do you need to stage a home?
​
One week is preferred, so we can plan the consultation, select inventory, and set an install date around your photography. We can sometimes take a rush staging for an additional fee, depending on our schedule. Call (970) 286-9918 with your listing date and we will tell you what is possible.
​
​
Who prepares and cleans the home before staging?
​
The seller or the realtor clears the home. We also ask that cleaners come in before we arrive, so staged items are not moved or misplaced after we install. The home just needs to be cleared and cleaned before our install day.
​
​
Do you work with realtors?
​
Yes, most of our staging clients are realtors. The process usually starts with a call from the agent, and we plan around the listing timeline and the photography date. Homeowners are welcome too, and we can talk through the details by phone.
​
​
Where do home stagers get their furniture?
​
Narrative Interiors stages vacant homes with our own inventory of furniture, rugs, artwork, lighting, and accessories. We choose and prepare the pieces for each home individually, so the staging feels intentional and belongs in the space.
​
​
Which rooms should be staged?
​
We decide at the consultation, after looking at the architecture, layout, scale, and sight lines. Rooms buyers see first, such as the living room, dining area, kitchen, and primary bedroom, often benefit most. We recommend the areas where staging will do the most good for your listing.
​
​
Will the staging be ready for listing photos?
​
Yes, we schedule the install date around your listing and photography timeline. Our team installs and styles the rooms so the home is ready to photograph and show. Tell us your photographer's date when you call, and we will plan the install before it.
​
​
What happens if something gets damaged during staging?
​
We handle installation and removal with care, and the terms are covered in your staging proposal before the install is scheduled.
​
​
Which towns do you serve?
​
We stage homes throughout Northern Colorado, with dedicated service in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Windsor, Longmont, and Boulder. Homes outside our standard service area may still be possible with an additional travel fee based on location. Call us with the address and we will confirm.
​
​
How do I book a staging consultation?
​
Call (970) 286-9918 or send the form on this page. We gather the address, access details, listing timeline, and the rooms you are considering, then schedule an on-site consultation. We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, at 3501 S Mason St, Suite 2, Fort Collins.
​
​
What is the difference between home staging and interior design?
​
Staging prepares a home to sell, using furniture, art, and decor chosen for buyers. Interior design plans a home for the people who live in it, from layouts and finishes to furnishings. Narrative Interiors does both, and Mandy holds a degree in Interior Design and Architecture and is an NKBA Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer and ASID member.
Still Have a Question?
NARRATIVE INTERIORS
Leave your name and number and we will call you back.
Thanks.