7 REASONS YOU SHOULD HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER

If you’re starting out on your home renovation journey, you might be wondering whether you can tackle the project on your own or whether you need to draft in help. There is no right or wrong answer, but here are just some of the reasons you might want to consider hiring an interior designer.

1. You’re nervous about making changes on your own

Often, I find that it’s not that my clients are unable to see what works and what doesn’t when it comes to interiors, it’s that they don’t have the confidence to go for it; to make those key decisions.  It’s easy to play it safe, paint a wall white, choose one accent colour and select a few accessories from a high street shop. But to create a room that truly expresses your personality and offers interest and excitement at every turn, you might benefit from a supportive hand to help step outside your comfort zone. 

 2.  You want a professional eye
Obviously home renovation is one of those things that everyone is capable of doing themselves. Just like everyone could sew their own clothes, paint their own wall art, or cut their own hair. Most of us choose not to however, because we just know that someone who has had years of practise and experience will be able to do it better and far more efficiently. And the same is true for interior design. By investing in an interior designer to look after your project, you’ll almost guarantee the finished result looks better than it would if you did it alone.

3.  You want a design that is planned out with longevity in mind
While it may be tempting to browse the glossy home mags and incorporate all of the latest interiors trends in your room design, it’s not really advisable. Fashions change, colour preferences evolve and if you’re not careful you’ll be left with an outdated room in not-so-many years to come. It’s a fine line that a professional interior designer will be able to help you navigate, ensuring you can include a few trend-led pieces, but tying them into a classic scheme that will stand the test of time and can be updated as and when you wish at a fraction of the cost of a full room overhaul.

4.  You want something that stands up to real life
A classic mistake that DIY home renovators make is to get carried away in the ‘beauty’ of what they’re trying to create rather than considering the fact it needs to be lived in. That’s why one of the first steps in my process is to spend time with you in your home and understand how you live and the things you do and don’t like about your current living arrangements. We might discuss storage, or the need for flooring that can hold its own against 3 football-mad boys and a dog, or the need for a practical office space hidden in the corner of a dining room. 

Whatever we do with the room, however stunning it looks, it’s no good if you can’t live in it, or with it, the way you need to. And an interior designer who’s seen it all before will be the pest placed person to help you come up with practical tips and ideas to create a functional, as well as beautiful, space.    

5.  You want to make your budget go further
I often hear people say that it’s too expensive to hire an interior designer when the project is already costing an arm and a leg. But did you know that this kind of investment will, more often than not, pay for itself. Experienced interior designers know where to shop to create the look you’re after on a budget, and very often they’ll be able to negotiate discounts with certain suppliers or through trade accounts. I, for example, have teamed up with a number of independent shops in Clevedon to provide great deals for my clients, allowing them to shop local and enjoy high quality items at an affordable price. 

And it’s not just about discounts. Interior design mistakes can be expensive. Whether it’s choosing the wrong paint colour and slapping it on the wall before you realise, or picking out an expensive sofa that just doesn’t work with the rest of the room. I often find one mistake can lead to another as you try to put things right – and ultimately can end in a room that cost a fortune and just isn’t right. And that’s without even considering the amount of time you’ve spent on in that you could have been using for other things. 

Better then, to invest the money up front and place the problem in someone else’s hands. It’s likely you’ll get a better finished space for your money. 

6.  You’d like help to source reputable tradespeople
If finding and managing tradespeople is one of the things that worries you most about a home renovation project, a local interior designer will be able to help you. If they’ve been in the game for a while, they should have forged links with all manner of painter decorators, plasterers, builders, electricians and plumbers. And they’ll be able to help you through the process of seeking quotes and choosing the right worker for you. 

After all, if you are going to be inviting someone into your home you want to make sure they’re reputable and trustworthy. 

7.  You simply want some inspiration
Sometimes, it’s the getting started that can seem impossible. Trawling through Pinterest, flicking through magazines and visiting endless home stores can all seem a little overwhelming. Perhaps you just need a dose of inspiration to put your thoughts in order and get you started?

What is an Inspire Session? 

An Inspire Session is an opportunity to get tonnes of great ideas direct from a professional interior designer, that are tailored to suit your home and the problem areas you want to tackle. 

In the lead up to the session we’ll share a Pinterest Board and begin curating a selection of ideas, so I understand more about your style and the kind of things you’re considering. Then I’ll visit you at home so I can get a feel for the spaces you’re planning to tackle. Think of it as your own personalised design and planning workshop; a hot seat with an interiors expert. I’ll share concept ideas and advice and we can discuss practical solutions to any issues you might be struggling with, giving you plenty of inspiration and making sure we’re covering all the bases.  

By the time we finish you’ll be feeling even more excited about your project. The ideas you’ve had in your head and that we’ve been sharing via our Pinterest board will really be starting to take shape and you’ll be well on your way to the beautiful home you’ve been dreaming of.