If you’re reading this post, you’ve likely started exploring the possibility of hiring an interior designer for your next project. Maybe you’re thinking about remodeling your main level or building a new home! And if you’re like many, you don’t have the faintest clue where to begin when it comes to making your vision for your project come to life. Whatever your scenario may be, we’re here to help. In this blog, we’re talking all about WHY and WHEN you should hire an interior designer.
What does an interior designer do?
Believe it or not, the interior design profession is quite complex. To the public eye, it may seem like we make rooms look pretty by waving our magic design wand and producing a full home remodel in the blink of an eye. But truth is, there’s so much more to it. Now don’t get us wrong, we love HGTV and Chip & Jo as much as the next guy, but what you often don’t see is all the behind the scenes work that goes into designing the perfect home.
There’s often confusion between interior decorators and interior designers. Rule of thumb is: Designers can decorate, but decorators can’t design. Interior design is a profession that takes education, training and lots of experience to be successful at. While decorators are skilled in the profession of styling interior settings, designers are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from furniture sourcing, to finish specifications, to space planning, and drafting technical design drawings– we do it all.
Interior designers also work alongside a variety of other industry professionals, including builders, architects, contractors, artists, craftsmen, furniture dealers and other specialty consultants.
Design / Interior Impressions
Photo / Mackenzie Merrill Photography
How can I benefit from hiring an interior designer?
You may be thinking to yourself, “Why spend the money to hire a designer when I can do the work myself?” This is a valid question, and something we get a lot! So we’ve put together a few reasons below.
1. Time is money.
You’ve heard it before, and we’ll say it again. Time and time again, we’ve found that one of the number one things our clients value is time. And if you know anything about the construction process, you know that it is very time consuming. Hiring an interior designer can help eliminate mistakes and headaches, giving you more time to spend on the things that matter most, like life and family.
2. They can help you stay on schedule and on budget.
Timelines and budgets are arguably the most important aspect, yet hardest to foresee and manage during the construction process. Que, interior designer. Having someone help manage these two can be a life saver! Not only will your designer work alongside your general contractor and other sub-consultants, but they also have vast relationships with other trade professionals easing the communication process when it comes to your project schedule and budget.
3. They are the experts.
Interior design isn’t a hobby, it is a profession. Most interior designers undergo years of education, training and exams to earn their title. If you’re like most, you have a hard time envisioning and bringing your ideas to life. We are here to help you dream, create and implement all of your #housegoals.
4. If you’re going to do it, do it right.
We all enjoy a DIY project from time to time, but if there is one thing you shouldn’t skimp on, it is your home. Think of your home as an investment, not only monetarily, but also an investment in your life and well-being. For most, this is a place you spend the majority of your time. You want it to be beautiful and comforting. Hiring an interior designer can help you recognize and achieve these goals, whether it’s increasing the return of investment (ROI) of your home or creating a space that is ‘you.’
Design / Interior Impressions
Photo / Mackenzie Merrill Photography
At what point during my project do I hire an interior designer?
When you first decide you want to tackle a home renovation or build a new home, there can be a lot of confusion on where to start and who to call first. Reality is, there is no right or wrong. Depending on the relationships you already have built, you may contact your architect, builder or interior designer to start the process. And if you don’t have any connections made, don’t worry! You can ask around and get referrals from trusted sources, or do some simple Google research to find firms in your area that you feel would be a good fit for your needs.
The best piece of advice we can give you is to assemble your entire team as early on in the process as you can. It doesn’t necessarily matter who you contact first, because it is likely that your architect, builder, interior designer, etc. have built relationships with other trade professionals that they typically partner with or can recommend to you to build your team. Whatever your case may be, build your team. The earlier you do this, the smoother the process will be for two reasons: 1) all parties can meet and get to know one another’s processes, workflow and learn how to best serve you from day one, and 2) the more people you bring on in the beginning, the more cohesive the design of your project will be.
Design / Interior Impressions
Photo / Mackenzie Merrill Photography
I’m sold. How do I get started?
Have a little more clarity, now? Great! We would love to hear from you and help you get started on your next big project! Visit our contact page to get started.
I agree that the amount of time that could be saved will also be crucial to consider when planning to hire an interior design expert. I plan to find one soon because I want to buy new appliances for my home. I think that a change on the interior design will also be crucial for that in order to have a more cohesive flow in my living room.
Excited to hear how it goes! Hope the blog helps the process. 🙂