What Is Scope Creep in Interior Design?
What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Handle It in Interior Design
In every design project — from remodels to full-scale new builds — there’s one challenge that sneaks up even on the most seasoned professionals: scope creep.
It’s the term used to describe all those unexpected issues that arise after a project begins — surprises that weren’t in the original plan but still have to be resolved. And in the world of interior design and home renovation, they’re practically inevitable.
Our current project, the West Asheville Overhaul, has had its fair share of these “plot twists.”
What Is Scope Creep in Interior Design?
In project management, scope creep happens when the scope of work expands beyond the original plan — usually without an official change order or updated budget.
In interior design, it can look like:
A hidden plumbing or structural issue
A new client request halfway through construction
Building code updates that require design changes
Or (as we recently discovered), structural fixes are needed from past construction shortcuts
The tricky part? These unexpected changes add time, cost, and complexity to the project. That’s why clear communication, realistic budgeting, and adaptability are key parts of any successful remodel.
How Scope Creep Showed Up in Our West Asheville Project
Remember that mysterious, elevated bathroom floor on the upper level?
Once we opened it up, it turned out not to be the major issue we feared — thankfully. But the investigation did reveal another challenge: our engineer required substantial support beams between levels because of poor framing work from the previous builder.
Cha-ching. 💸
These new steel I-beams became a major (and expensive) design consideration — impacting both structure and layout. They also required reworking parts of the lower-level kitchen design to ensure everything looked intentional, not improvised.
Turning Problems into Design Opportunities
When scope creep shows up, you can either resist it… or reimagine it.
Instead of hiding the new beams, we decided to make them a design feature. Here’s how we adjusted the interior plan:
Reduced the island size slightly to center it perfectly beneath the new beams
Shifted cabinetry and range placement for better alignment and balance
Explored finish options — painting the beams for an industrial look, or wrapping them in wood for a warmer feel
That’s the beautiful paradox of interior design: even problems can lead to stronger, more thoughtful results. Scope creep forces creativity — and often improves the final product.
How to Prevent (or Minimize) Scope Creep in Your Project
While you can’t avoid every surprise, there are smart ways to keep things manageable:
Start with a detailed design plan.
The more complete your plans, renderings, and selections are before demo, the fewer unknowns pop up.Have honest budget conversations early.
Leave room for contingencies (10–20% of your total budget). That cushion can make all the difference.Hire experienced professionals.
A good contractor and interior designer can spot potential issues before they snowball.Document every change.
Even small decisions — like moving plumbing or adding lighting — should be tracked and approved.Stay flexible.
The best results come when you’re open to evolving the plan as the home reveals itself.
The Takeaway
Scope creep isn’t a failure — it’s part of the process.
As designers, our job is to adapt with creativity and composure when projects evolve. By maintaining communication, controlling costs, and finding beauty in the unexpected, even the biggest detours can lead to something extraordinary.
Work continues on the West Asheville Overhaul, and next up: the exterior additions. Because in design (and life), there’s always another layer to uncover.
