Why You Should Hire an Interior Designer

If you are reading this, you want to know more about the mysterious world of Interior Design.  Questions may pop up in your head such as “Is Interior Design a career, a hobby, art, is it really needed”?  I’ve had to explain my path on how I got to this point a million times, but the story never changes.  I absolutely LOVE making an unwanted room fully functional and gorgeous for families for years to come.  I could never have done this without my Interior Design education and experience.  My artsy fartsy side comes into play, but Interior Design can be whatever you want it to be as long the end result changes the way you look, feel, and use a room after I’m done with it! 

 Reason No. 1 

“Visualize your space before you commit.” 

Interior designers have professional training, experience, design tools, software programs, and connections to tips and tricks and products that will help you see how your space will be as you envision it.   

4D renderings, mood boards, space plans, detailed drawings, and fabric/material samples give you the vision prior to investing in your new space.  This also gives you the ability to take some risks!  Think about that crazy but beautiful wallpaper you saw, but you have no idea how to incorporate it.  Enter the interior designer!  He/She will make it work but in a way that is functional, visually pleasing, and within the budget you set.  This will avoid the post-remodel regret some people get if they did not get an interior designer involved initially. 

Reason No. 2 

“Actually saves you time and money in the end” 

Working with an Interior Designer may seem costly up front, but in the end, you will end up kissing their feet for all the money he/she saved you!  In my experience, a client who has tried to do it on “their own” usually did the following:  Bought too much product (space looks crowded), bought not enough product (space doesn’t look cohesive), purchased products out of scale (our new sofa is now blocking the door!),  the one item you fell in love with ETA dates keep getting moved or arrives incorrectly and/or damaged. 

An experienced interior designer knows how to measure a space, create a space plan with furniture to scale, knows vendors and how items are made to ensure quality standards, and understands how to work with contractors for any hidden surprises or accidents during demo.  Time is money, and knowing all the right sizes and using the correct pieces in the design will create a seamless transition and installation. 

Reason No. 3 

“Time = Money” 

There are many, and I’m talking MANY, moving parts and steps when it comes to a remodel or renovation.  Those lovely HGTV shows give many homeowners the impression that a renovation takes like three days tops, all in budgets are shown without labor costs, materials/furniture can be shipped and decided overnight, and “mistakes” can be fixed within minutes.  Not to mention, these shows have a FULL contracting staff on site to make and install all those items.  Don’t get me wrong, I am obsessed with every HGTV design show made, but it’s just not realistic. 

An Interior Designer’s time is probably the most valuable (and usually gets overlooked) line item on any project.  Their experience knows how much prep work it takes to create a seamless design, how long demo and installation will take, and timing things just right to fit the client’s timeline and expectations.  All the while adhering to an original contracted budget.  

The difference between an Interior Designer and an Interior Decorator is simple.  If you want to shop at Target for an hour and grab some things to update your room (pillows, rugs, lamps) – then hire an Interior Decorator (check out my A La Carte services!).  If you are ordering furniture, tearing down a wall, rearranging/buying new items for a difference space layout, adding or hanging new materials, you get the point.  Hire an Interior Designer, this will save you time which in the end will save you money! 

Reason No. 4 

“Budget, Functionality, and Style will all be considered.” 

An Interior Designer knows that every space starts with an idea and understands what the potential client envisions for the new space.  Is this a need (family growing for instance)?  Is this a desire to remodel (that ugly paneled wall has just GOT TO GO!), you just moved into a new house and need it to now be your home?  Once the desire and need are established, a balance then needs to be determined between the potential client’s budget and style/function of the space.   

For example, lets say you moved into a new home and the kitchen is small, not functional for a family of four, no natural light, and really outdated.  Redesigning your kitchen (tearing down walls, new cabinets, new lighting, and relocating plumbing) is vastly more expensive than refacing existing cabinet, painting walls, and installing new countertops only.   

Your designer will work with you to determine which is more important, budget, style, or functionality and help you make the hard decisions on what works for you and your family.  Focusing on what is more important for the client will help set the tone and adhere to the budget through the entire project. 

Reason No. 5 

“Designers think outside the box and push you to take risks” 

The mind of a designer is simply created differently.  We see things differently than others when it comes to a room that is just screaming to be redone.  Fresh ideas, and an unique perspective of what the space can look like will make you feel comfortable about a change for the better. 

Designers are trained to know the fundamentals of Interior Design:  Unity, Balance, Rhythm, Contrast, Scale, Focal Point, and details!   Introducing elements that push the envelope usually ends up being something truly amazing and topic of conversation in the space.  Listening and understanding the client’s personal and unique style is key to be able to create a space that the client will want to show off for years to come. 

Designers also have passion.  I mean the living, breathing, everything in your life relates to design passion (well I do anyhow).  This is not just my job, it’s not a hobby, it is my passion and I’m not happy until my clients are happy.  I believe I have formed my clients and referrals based on this fact alone.  I can’t stop, won’t stop, until my client is 100% happily crying in their new space transformation.