Designing Solutions LLC in Baltimore: Residential Interiors on a Flexible Budget
Designing Solutions LLC is a full-service interior design firm based in Baltimore that works primarily with homeowners on room-by-room updates and whole-home renovations, ranging from budget-conscious refreshes to high-end redecorations. The firm operates at a middle tier between independent decorators and larger design-build firms, handling everything from space planning and material selection to project management and vendor coordination.
What Designing Solutions LLC Actually Does
The firm offers three service tiers. Consultation-only starts at $200 per hour and suits owners who want a second opinion on layout or color before executing work themselves. Design packages, which include a full room plan, material recommendations, and shopping lists, run $1,500 to $4,000 per room depending on complexity and whether structural changes are involved. Full-service project management, where the designer oversees contractors, orders materials, and manages the timeline, adds 15 to 20 percent to the total project cost. Most projects fall between $8,000 and $40,000, though the firm also takes on larger renovations. The company does not do new construction or commercial work.
Services and Pricing Structure
The standard design package includes a space plan drawn to scale, color and material boards, shopping recommendations (with links to vendors), and two rounds of revisions. If you want the designer to actually purchase items and coordinate installation, that moves into full-project management, which begins at $3,000 in addition to design fees. Installation coordination alone, for clients who have already hired a designer elsewhere, costs $100 to $150 per hour. Verify current rates by contacting the firm directly, as pricing adjusts seasonally and based on project scope.
Designing Solutions LLC charges no markup on materials purchased through vendors, which differs from many full-service firms that add 20 to 30 percent. This matters: on a $15,000 furniture and finishes order, that difference is $3,000 to $4,500. However, the firm does not offer the steep trade discounts available to high-volume designers at large firms, so material costs themselves may run slightly higher than a homeowner ordering directly from a high-volume retailer.
How It Compares to Other Baltimore Options
For hourly consultation only, Baltimore has several independent decorators and designers who charge $150 to $300 per hour. Designing Solutions LLC's $200 rate sits in the middle and includes written recommendations, which not all independents provide. For full-service kitchen and bath renovation, larger firms like Flooring America or Kitchen Cabinet Depot handle design as part of a build package, meaning design is bundled but you are locked into their contractor network. Designing Solutions LLC lets you bring your own contractors or use theirs, giving more flexibility if you already have a trusted electrician or plumber. For homeowners who want only a design plan without project management, companies like Laurel Interior Design or freelancers on Thumbtack offer similar packages at $1,200 to $3,000 per room, though turnaround and revision policies vary widely.
The key difference: Designing Solutions LLC builds in project management and vendor relationships, which suits owners managing multiple trades. It costs more than a one-off design but less than hiring a designer and a separate project manager.
Who This Fits and Who It Doesn't
Designing Solutions LLC works well for homeowners undertaking a single major room or a whole-home refresh over six to eighteen months, especially those with existing contractors they want to keep or who need someone to negotiate between multiple trades. It also suits owners who want professional space planning but plan to execute some work themselves. It does not offer custom millwork or cabinetry design beyond recommending stock or semi-custom options. It is not the choice for ultra-luxury projects where every detail is bespoke; those typically go to larger firms with in-house fabrication. It also does not work for quick, budget-constrained jobs where the design fee alone would eat significantly into the budget.
What the First Visit Involves
Initial consultations are conducted by phone or video and are typically free for thirty minutes. You describe the room, goals, and budget. If it seems like a fit, the designer visits your home to take measurements, photographs, and notes on existing elements and natural light. This consultation is $200 and usually lasts an hour. From there, design work happens over two to three weeks, with the designer presenting a full plan via a digital presentation or printed boards, depending on your preference. Revisions are included; additional rounds beyond two cost $150 each.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
The firm operates by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional Saturday availability for initial home consultations. The office is located in Federal Hill, with street parking and a small lot. For projects outside Baltimore City, the firm typically charges a $100 travel fee for the initial home visit. Project timelines depend on scope; a single-room design takes four to six weeks from initial consultation to final plan, while full-project management can extend six to twelve months if it involves contractor scheduling and material lead times. Confirm current hours and availability by phone or email before scheduling.
Designing Solutions LLC fills a practical middle ground in Baltimore's interior design market: experienced enough to manage multiple vendors and trades, transparent enough to avoid markup surprises, and flexible enough to work at different budget levels without requiring a design-build contract.
