Why Interiors and Landscape Should Be Designed Together
Shraddha Patkar runs Gruham – Interior & Landscape Design by Shraddha, a boutique, founder-led studio based in Mumbai, India. The practice works with residential clients on both interiors and landscape concepts, an unusual combination that often challenges the conventional advice to hire separate specialists. In a short interview, Patkar shared her perspective on why integrated design matters and what most planning guides overlook.
The case for a single designer
When asked about a project where the usual advice of hiring one person for interiors and another for the garden did not fit, Patkar did not point to a specific project—client confidentiality prevents that—but she was clear about the general principle. She said "When a single designer handles both your interiors and your landscape, it saves money and effort, keeps the style steady, and creates a space that reflects your personality instead of looking like two separate projects."
That answer gets at a common friction point in residential design: when two different professionals work independently, the result can feel disjointed. A single point of view, Patkar suggests, helps avoid that.
What guides leave out
Patkar believes that most guides on planning interiors and a garden together miss a fundamental step: grounding the plan in the client's own life. She said "Interior and outdoor space planning should always be based on the client's personality, lifestyle and requirements." From there, practical considerations come into play. "During the planning stage itself, plant placement and selection need to consider natural levels, local weather conditions, available space, and the client's preferences," she added.
In other words, the garden is not an afterthought to be filled in once the interiors are done. Plant choices and placement depend on site conditions and how the client actually wants to use the outdoor space—factors that should inform the interior layout as well.
The cost of sequencing interiors first
Many homeowners settle on interior finishes and layouts before they have thought through the garden. Patkar sees this as a missed opportunity. She said "Even if the execution of interiors and outdoor spaces is carried out at different stages, their design process should be planned together from the beginning, so that both spaces maintain a balance and feel connected rather than looking like two separate projects."
The distinction between design and execution is important. Budgets and timelines may mean the garden is built later, but the design decisions for both should be made in parallel. Otherwise, the two spaces can end up with conflicting styles, awkward transitions, or plants that do not suit the site.
Practical takeaways
For homeowners planning a renovation or new build, Patkar's answers point to a few clear steps:
- Start with a single design vision. Whether you hire one designer or coordinate closely between two, the interior and landscape should share a coherent style and layout logic.
- Plan the garden during the interior design phase. Plant selection and placement depend on natural light, local climate, and available space—all of which are easier to address before hardscaping and interior finishes are locked in.
- Base decisions on how you live. Patkar emphasizes personality, lifestyle, and requirements as the foundation for both indoor and outdoor planning, rather than generic templates.
- Accept phased execution, but not phased design. You can build the garden later, but the design should be resolved early so both spaces feel connected.
About the studio
Gruham is an independent, founder-led practice. The studio's website was recently updated to clearly state its Mumbai base and founder-led structure. Patkar's approach, as described in the interview, centers on treating interiors and landscape as one continuous project rather than two separate commissions. For readers planning a home project, that perspective may be worth considering before hiring separate specialists by default.
This interview was conducted by email. Responses have been edited only for clarity and length.