Rive Home knowledge base
New-build interior in Amsterdam, from shell to complete home
For a newly built home in Amsterdam, an interior design plan begins with the delivery level and the builder's selection list. A shell apartment with fixed installations requires different decisions than a property where the layout and finishing can still be adjusted.
What exactly is delivered to you?
Compare the technical specifications with the sales floor plan. See what is already included regarding walls, ceilings, flooring, sanitary facilities, kitchen preparation, and installations. The term "shell" (casco) does not in itself indicate what work is still required to make the home usable.
Next, make a list of what you will keep, what you want the builder to adjust, and what you will have done after handover. This distinction prevents the interior plan from assuming provisions that are not present or the same work being commissioned to two different parties.
A new apartment: design around the fixed details
In an apartment, ducts, ventilation, installations, and shared structural elements can determine the starting point. Therefore, first investigate where the room for maneuver lies before moving the kitchen, bathroom, or storage area. Discuss technical feasibility with the appropriate contractor.
Also, ask about the rules and documentation that apply to your building, for example regarding floor finishes and work in common areas. Not every new-build building sets the same requirements; a specific home requires a review of its own documents.
Check the floor plan as a future resident
- Can you use the desired dining table without blocking a walkway?
- Does working from home fit in a separate room, or does a spot in the living room have to disappear when you are off duty?
- Where will coats, shoes, cleaning supplies, and groceries go?
- Which windows, doors, and technical facilities must remain accessible?
- Where do sunlight and overlooking create different needs for window decorations?
Take, for example, an apartment with an open kitchen and a long facade with windows. A tall cabinet by the window can provide storage space, but it can also limit the influx of light or a line of sight. First investigate placement and volume; then determine the front finish.
From empty home to installation planning
A move-in date, a delivery date, and a construction completion date are three different moments. Map out what work is still needed after the keys are handed over and which tasks depend on one another. Final measurements, surface preparation, and drying times can influence when a cabinet, floor, or curtain can be installed.
Before delivery, also check building access, elevator dimensions where relevant, transport of large parts, and arrangements for receipt. For a home without a suitable elevator, a different delivery method may be required; have the supplier assess this in advance.
What do you discuss with Rive Home?
Discuss which rooms will be developed and which decisions still need to be communicated to the builder. A process may require attention to a layout proposal, material choices, lighting, fixed furniture, and guidance toward completion. The agreed-upon assignment is reflected in a fixed quote per project.
Rive Home operates out of Amsterdam. For your new-build home, bring the sales documents, option list, and schedule; a neighborhood name alone says insufficient information about the design task. For the decision sequence, there is a separate explanation on the right starting moment for new construction.
Further inside Rive Home
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the kitchen need to be ordered before the interior design plan starts?
No. It is precisely when the kitchen is still being planned that the layout, sightlines, connections, and material choices can be explored together. Do let us know, however, when the builder needs the kitchen information.
Can a new-build interior also include existing furniture?
Yes. Provide the measurements of the furniture that will be moved. They can serve as a starting point for the layout and prevent the new home from being designed solely around the standard furniture shown in the sales drawings.
Can custom cabinets be put into production before completion?
That depends on the available reliable measurements and the production agreements. Let the interior builder determine which measurement verification is necessary before final production.
What if my delivery date changes?
Inform the relevant parties immediately and discuss the consequences for delivery, storage, access, and assembly. Record how such a shift will be handled for each party.
Discuss your new-build home
Share your floor plan, requirements, and schedule. Rive Home will discuss which services match your needs and works with a fixed quote per project.