Finishes and Fixtures Selection: A Designer’s Process
- Rebecca
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Choosing finishes, fixtures and hardware is one of the most defining stages of any build or renovation — and one of the most detail-heavy. These are the materials you’ll live with every day, shaping not only how your home looks, but how it feels and functions.
It’s also where decision fatigue can set in. With endless options and tight timelines, it’s easy to second-guess your selections or end up with a mix that doesn’t quite feel resolved.
That’s why a guided Finishes & Fixtures Selection process can make all the difference. This post walks through how the service works, why it matters, and what it looks like to work together to curate a palette that’s cohesive, confident, and ready for trades.
What’s Included in Finishes & Fixtures Selection
This phase includes all the material and hardware choices that define the visual and tactile experience of your interior. Its ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, home bars — or any area where finishes and fixtures come together and need to feel cohesive. Depending on your project, that might involve:
Benchtops and splashbacks
Tiles and grout colours
Paint colours and finishes
Cabinetry profiles and colour
Tapware
Handles, pulls, and accessories
Lighting finishes
This Stage Matters!
Finishes and fixtures play a powerful role in tying your interiors together. The right combinations bring depth, warmth, and cohesion — allowing each space to feel both purposeful and connected to the rest of the home.
This part of the process brings clarity to what can otherwise feel like a blur of options. With a clear direction, materials are selected thoughtfully and in context, ensuring everything works together visually and practically. It also helps avoid rushed decisions during construction and creates a smoother handover to your trades.
Project Highlight: Coastal Laundry Design
In Shaping Interior's Coastal Laundry Design, the palette focused on calm neutrals, tactile surfaces, and soft contrasts. Every element — from tile selection to cabinetry finish — was chosen with intention, creating a space that feels effortless, functional, and visually connected to the rest of the home. View project
Planning a Renovation or New Build?
If you’re at the stage of selecting tiles, benchtops, tapware, cabinetry finishes or paint colours — and want a cohesive palette that feels considered, well curated and ready for trades get in touch to book a consultation
To read more about the Finishes & Fixtures Selections process here














