A good project starts from the site as it is, not from a photo you liked. Before any mood board we need accurate measurements, the sun direction, the openings, and the real ceiling height after mechanical and electrical work.

What we collect before designing

• An approved plan and dimensions taken on site, not only the developer drawings.
• Household size and daily routine: who receives guests, how often, where children sit.
• Which existing furniture stays and which is replaced.
• A budget split into fixed works (gypsum, joinery, floors), furniture, and accessories.

Why measure first

Taste cannot fix a wrong dimension. A 3 m sofa in a room that fits 2.5 m means reordering. So we draw furniture to scale on the plan before buying, and keep circulation paths of at least 90 cm.

Once the plan is approved we choose colours and materials, then review the result in 3D renders before execution begins.

In Saudi villas the courtyard and entry work as an extra room. We design them in the same language as the interior: materials, colours and lighting, so the transition never feels abrupt.

Four decisions

• Shade first: a canopy, pergola or tree before the seating. Without shade the space goes unused most of the year.
• Non-slip, heat-tolerant paving with a planned fall for drainage.
• Warm, low lighting instead of harsh floodlights, with easy switches from inside.
• Plants that tolerate the climate, on irrigation, not on manual upkeep.

The main entry needs a place for shoes, clear lighting, and a mirror or artwork that sets the first impression.

We design fixed and loose pieces together. Made-to-measure furniture solves awkward corners and openings; ready-made is faster and cheaper when the size fits.

Practical sizing rules

• 35 to 45 cm between sofa and coffee table.
• A coffee table about two thirds the length of the sofa.
• Hang artwork with its centre about 145 to 150 cm from the floor, eye level.
• Art above a sofa at two thirds to three quarters of its width, 15 to 25 cm above it.

Artwork

Decide the size first, then the colour. One large piece beats five small scattered ones. For a group, keep frames consistent and lay it out on paper before drilling. Picture lighting needs a planned power point at first fix.

We start from how the household cooks, not from the door fronts. Heavy cooking needs a closed kitchen or strong extraction; light use suits an open plan.

Fundamentals

• Work triangle: fridge, sink and hob close together without crossing paths.
• A working aisle of about 100 to 120 cm between facing runs.
• A hood that vents outdoors, sized for the hob, with the duct route set on the plan.
• Storage near the point of use: deep drawers instead of low shelves.
• Task lighting under the wall units, with separate general lighting.

Materials

The worktop is the key material choice: ask about stain, heat and scratch resistance and how an edge is repaired. Do not trust a small sample; view a full slab.

The costliest errors are the ones buried behind gypsum and tile. Supervision therefore depends on timing the visit before closing up, and on written records.

Before the visit

• Review approved drawings and this week's work programme.
• Identify what will be covered soon; that is the visit's priority.
• Bring a tape, level, moisture meter and camera.

Visit checklist

• Dimensions, levels and straightness match the drawings.
• Electrical, AC and plumbing points are placed before walls and ceilings close.
• Pressure test on pipes and flood test on bathroom floors before tiling.
• Waterproofing is complete and photographed.
• Site materials match the approved sample.
• Site is clean; workers and scaffolds are safe.
• Any change from the drawings is written and signed by the client before it is built.

After the visit

A short report the same day with photos, and a snag list with an owner and date for each item. Verbal agreements are forgotten; the report remains.

Execution has a logical sequence, and each stage depends on the one before. Fitting joinery before painting, for example, means damaged joinery.

The usual sequence

• Structural works and demolition.
• First fix: electrical, AC and plumbing.
• Plastering, treatment, waterproofing and its test.
• Gypsum ceilings and concealed lighting.
• Floors, marble and tile.
• Joinery and fitted furniture.
• Painting and finishing.
• Light fittings, appliances and sanitary ware.
• Curtains, then furniture, then accessories.
• Final inspection, snag list, then handover.

When time is tight we do not skip stages; we order materials early. Marble, joinery and curtains need manufacturing time, so they are ordered during first fix, not after.

On-time handover comes from a programme tied to material arrival dates, not a verbal promise.

First fix decides your comfort for ten years. After tiling and painting every change is costly and messy.

Electrical

The Saudi Electrical Code (SBC 401) is the reference, and installations are inspected by accepted inspection bodies. New homes use 230/400 V, and the authorities stopped importing appliances rated for 127 V only some years ago.

• Separate circuits for AC, kitchen and laundry, with outlets at heights that suit use.
• Power points for TV mounts, motorised curtains and picture lights.
• Spare empty conduits for any later cable (network, cameras, audio).
• A distribution board with spare capacity and earth-leakage protection.
• Fix switch positions after drawing the furniture, not before.

Curtains

• A recessed gypsum pocket or ceiling track, with its depth calculated.
• Double track: sheer and blackout.
• A power point near the window if the curtain is motorised.

Often forgotten

A water point for the fridge, a spare drain for a washer, service access to AC units, and AC routes beside the curtain, not behind it.

We buy locally when speed and warranty matter most, and abroad when the design or material is not available here. The difference between the two is bigger than the price gap.

Landed cost

VAT of 15% is charged on the goods value (CIF) plus customs duty. Duty commonly starts at 5% and can be higher by tariff line; some sources put furniture up to 15%. Confirm the HS code with your clearing agent before ordering.

• Product + freight + insurance = CIF value.
• Duty = tariff rate × CIF.
• VAT = 15% × (CIF + duty).
• Add clearance, inland transport and installation.

Electrical goods

Imported products are registered through the SABER platform, and regulated categories (including low-voltage electrical appliances) need product and shipment conformity certificates. Ask the supplier for them before you pay.

Quick comparison

• Local: faster delivery, a nearby agent and warranty, no shipping risk, but sometimes narrower choice.
• Abroad: wider designs and materials, but longer lead times, customs, possible breakage and harder warranty.

Protect yourself

• Ask for an approved sample and photos of the piece before shipping.
• Tie payments to stages: manufacture, inspection, shipment.
• Inspect on arrival and photograph any damage before signing.
• Write the delivery date into the contract, not into a promise.

We treat the curtain as an architectural element, not a fabric hung at the end. The decision starts at first fix.

Proportion

• A rod or track fixed near the ceiling makes the room read taller.
• Fabric width of 2 to 2.5 times the track width gives a rich fold.
• Length: touching the floor or just above it, consistent across rooms.
• Hang the curtain to stack clear of the glass so it does not block light when open.

Fabric

The Saudi sun is strong, so choose fabrics that resist UV and do not fade, with a blackout lining in bedrooms. Sheers pass soft daylight. A double track combines both.

Maintenance

Ask about cleaning before you buy, and whether the curtain unhooks easily. Motors are worth the cost on tall, large windows.

Ready-made rugs rarely fit a majlis. So we design pieces to the size, colour and pattern of the space.

Size

• Living room: the front legs of sofas rest on the rug.
• Dining: extend the rug 60 to 90 cm beyond the table so chairs stay on it when pulled out.
• Bedroom: let the rug show on both sides of the bed.

Fibre

Wool wears well and cleans well. Viscose is softer with more sheen but is vulnerable to stains and water. For children's rooms and dining we prefer a low pile.

Before ordering

• A sample matched for colour and feel under your room's light.
• Mark the size on the floor with tape to confirm.
• A written delivery date from the factory.
• Check colours and dimensions on arrival.

We do not pick a style by its name. We pick it from how the household lives, then define its colours.

Common styles

• Modern: clean lines, few pieces, neutral colours.
• Neo-classic: mouldings, detail and symmetry in calm colours.
• Contemporary Saudi: inspired by local architecture, with geometric elements and warm materials.
• Modern luxury: marble, brass, dark wood and soft fabrics.

Colour

• The 60-30-10 rule: a base colour for large surfaces, a secondary for furniture, a bold one for details.
• Watch warm and cool undertones and keep them consistent between adjoining rooms.
• Test a swatch on the actual wall and see it morning, afternoon and evening; Saudi light shifts the shade.
• Sheen changes the impression: matt hides wall flaws, gloss shows them.

Styling comes at the end of the project but is planned from the start: where shelves, tables and dedicated lighting for objects will go.

Layers of styling

• Group objects in odd numbers (3 or 5) at different heights.
• Mix textures: wood with marble, soft fabric and metal.
• Leave empty space. Crowding kills a beautiful piece.
• Use a tray or a book to gather small objects.
• Fresh or high-quality flowers add life; one large plant in a corner sets the scale.

Choosing furnishings

• Choose fabric for use: tight weave and removable covers with children.
• Ask for a fabric sample and try it on the sofa itself.
• A deep sofa is more comfortable but needs more room.
• Limit the palette to three main tones and add accent through cushions and accessories.

An appliance's dimensions set the joinery dimensions, so we choose appliances before detailing the kitchen and cabinets, and write their sizes and ventilation on the plan.

Regular appliances

• Ask for an energy-efficiency label. The authorities replaced the old "stars" label with a "levels" label.
• AC: prefer inverter. SASO's updated AC efficiency standards (SASO 2663 and 2874, 2025 editions) are reported to take effect on 1 December 2026, so ask the supplier whether the model complies.
• Confirm the unit is rated for 230 V, and that a local agent handles warranty and service.
• For built-in units leave the ventilation clearance in the manufacturer's guide.

Smart appliances

• Start from need: lighting, curtains, AC, security. Do not buy smart for its own sake.
• Pick one protocol (such as Matter or Zigbee) so the home does not become five apps.
• Make the backbone wired: network cabling and smart switches are planned at first fix, and some smart switches need a neutral wire in the switch box.
• Always keep manual operation.
• Mind privacy: cameras and voice assistants have data-storage terms.