Why Park City homeowners are calling designers before breaking ground

Photo: Courtesy of Barclay Butera Interior Design

Barclay Butera Interior Design shares the most common pitfalls they see in Park City homes and how proper planning from day one prevents them

PARK CITY, Utah — Building or renovating a home in Park City comes with unique challenges. Between coordinating with contractors during busy construction seasons and making countless design decisions, many homeowners find themselves overwhelmed before the first piece of furniture even arrives.

Add in the complexities of mountain living — from designing spaces that work for both summer entertaining and winter gear storage — and it’s no wonder many residents are turning to professional interior designers earlier in the process.

Timing makes all the difference

Interior design is too often treated as the final layer — something that happens after construction wraps. But the most successful mountain homes integrate design considerations from day one.

“We like to be involved before the first wall even goes up. Starting early allows us the opportunity to plan every detail and create a home that is intentional, functional, and beautiful from the start,” says Barclay Butera.

Understanding how you actually live

Interior designers play a vital role in collaborating with architects and builders, ensuring that the design vision is not only beautiful but also functional and tailored to the client’s lifestyle and budget. Barclay Butera Interior Design takes the time to get to know clients on a personal level — understanding how they live, how they entertain, who uses each space and what their daily routines look like.

A young family with small children may require performance fabrics, wipeable surfaces and strategic storage solutions, while a couple who frequently hosts may prioritize a large dining area, statement lighting and elevated finishes in guest spaces.

Before construction even begins, designers help clients select all hard surface materials — tile, stone, cabinetry finishes, plumbing fixtures, hardware, flooring and more. These early decisions allow builders to generate accurate budgets and identify areas for value engineering before any purchases are made, which helps avoid costly mistakes during the build.

Mountain homes require specialized knowledge

Park City’s distinctive architectural character — think exposed timber beams, natural stone and expansive windows designed to capture mountain views — requires careful planning to balance rustic elements with modern functionality.

Park City homes often feature soaring ceilings, wide-open layouts and windows that frame mountain views. Standard residential furniture frequently gets lost in these spaces, while oversized pieces can overwhelm rooms despite their generous proportions. Professional designers specialize in curating custom pieces scaled perfectly to complement both the architecture and intended use.

These homes see heavy use during peak seasons — ski gear, wet boots, kids running through after a day on the mountain. Everything needs to be beautiful but also practical, which translates to carefully selected fabrics that can handle mountain living and storage solutions that keep seasonal gear organized but accessible.

The investment pays off

Working with design professionals who understand Park City’s unique characteristics — from building codes to seasonal weather patterns — can mean the difference between a seamless, on-time project and a stressful build or remodel full of delays and budget overruns. .

Ultimately, interior designers serve as a bridge between the client’s vision and the execution of the home, ensuring cohesion, function and beauty from the ground up. Thoughtful planning prevents expensive mistakes, ensures that spaces function as intended, and creates homes that feel cohesive rather than cobbled together.

Whether starting with new construction or breathing fresh life into an existing property, the goal remains the same: creating spaces that honor Park City’s distinctive character while serving the people who call it home, even if only for part of the year.

Barclay Butera Interior Design can be reached at 435-649-5540 or through their website.