Aside from the expert DIY-ers among us, a lot of homeowners find the task of turning a home into a cohesive space where the colors, layout, and furnishings work together in perfect harmony to be pretty daunting, and the thought of hiring a designer to wave a magic wand sounds like a much better alternative to going it alone. From the investment of your time to the investment of your finances, you want to be sure any design projects are done right the first time. If you’re considering giving your space a makeover, here’s why hiring an interior designer might be well worth the money.
Let’s make a distinction here: There are interior designers, and then there are interior decorators. A designer will interview you about the use of the room, study your habits, draw up plans that may include remodeling, and will build you a room from the floorboards up. They may or may not decorate the space, depending on the scope of the work. A decorator, on the other hand, works within the existing floorplan to furnish a room around a specific theme or style, incorporating artwork, textiles, colors, and furniture.
Save time.
An interior designer is trained to look at the big picture and then determine how the details build that picture into the home you’ve always wanted. If you’re looking at renovating an entire house or making significant changes to the footprint of a room, hiring a designer to manage the project can help you stay on time and on budget. They’ll be able to coordinate with your contractor and collaborate as part of an integrated team. This can also help reduce your stress levels as you’re making changes!
Save money.
It might seem counterintuitive to spend money to save money, but making good choices right off the bat really can be more cost-effective in the long run. Can you imagine furnishing and decorating a room only to realize after thousands of dollars (and lots of time!) that it doesn’t work in the flow of your home, the chairs are uncomfortable, and there’s wasted space? Because they’re trained to see the big picture, you’re far less likely to face this nightmare scenario when you hire a designer.
Add value to your home.
We’re not just talking about how much you’ll love your home; this is in terms of cold, hard cash. Remodeling and redecorating your home with the guidance of an interior designer can boost your home’s value. They’ll know what’s a fad and what’s timeless; they can keep in mind what homebuyers are currently looking for and ensure your home meets those needs; and if you’re not looking to sell right now, the right designer will also make sure your home reflects your own tastes and meets your and your family’s needs.
Selecting a designer to work with is just like interviewing someone for any other job: Do you have the same values and tastes? Will your personalities clash? Can they work within your budget and timeframe? Be sure you ask friends and family for recommendations. Check out local design magazines and open houses and find out who staged the rooms you like. You can also contact the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the Decorators’ Alliance of North America (DANA) to find designers in your area who have been certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). When you meet with candidates, carefully scrutinize their portfolios to be sure they have a wide range of looks and that you find rooms you like. Otherwise, it’s time to move on to the next interview.