Interior design is something most people don’t have much experience with. While it may seem as simple as browsing Pinterest and buying a couple of items that fit your fancy, the truth is that achieving a designer style is a much more complex challenge than first meets the eye. If you’re serious about your home, you need an interior designer.
Why Hire an Interior Designer?
The average homeowner doesn’t usually think they need an interior designer. They view it as something “other” people do and take the DIY approach instead. But this is a very shortsighted view of interior design. There are plenty of benefits to hiring a professional designer, including:
- Saves money. Ironically enough, hiring a professional interior designer could actually save you money in the long run. No more buying furniture that doesn’t fit your space or repainting walls multiple times to get the perfect color. Everything works the first time around.
- Saves time. Most people don’t have the time required to design the perfect room. An interior designer handles all of the details and allows you to focus on whatever else is happening in your life.
- Fleshes out ideas. You have an idea of what you like but aren’t skilled enough to take those ideas and turn them into a tangible design plan. An interior designer knows how to tap into your ideas and actually make them happen.
There are plenty of reasons to hire an interior designer, so don’t automatically discount the idea. Whether you have a small bungalow or sprawling estate, professional design is valuable.
What to Look For
Once you decide that you want to hire a designer, how do you go about finding the right one? Here are some suggestions:
1. Research Online
Finding an interior designer is so much easier today than it was in the past. Thanks to the internet, you can perform thorough research without ever leaving your couch. In addition to running basic Google searches for designers in your area, you can also use a trusted interior design platform like Hometrust to find reviews and ratings as assigned by past clients. The benefit of doing this is that you can see how satisfied people are with the work they receive.
2. Ask Friends
Do you have a friend or neighbor who recently completed an interior design project? Did they hire a designer to handle the process? Getting a referral or recommendation from a trusted friend is always helpful – though you’ll need to make sure you have similar styles and goals.
3. Review Past Work
“Scrutinizing a designer’s profile will give you a feel for his or her style and experience doing projects that are similar to yours,” NewsCore explains. “See if you can see your potential designer’s work in a showcase or model home. That way, you get an up-close and personal taste of a finished product.”
This latter point is particularly important. Although a digital portfolio would give you exact idea of the designer’s work, you should see the actual design yourself. By touching, feeling, and even smelling the finished product, you can know for sure whether a certain designer is right for you.
4. Consider Your Budget
Unfortunately, cost is often a limiting factor when searching for an interior designer. Prices run the gamut and you’ll have to do some careful research to figure out how much you’re willing and able to spend.
It’s also worth noting that some designers will negotiate on their fees. If a steep price is the one thing standing between you and a designer’s services, make an offer and see what they say. What’s the worst that can happen? If they turn you down, you simply move on to the next person on your list.
Do Your Next Design Project the Right Way
You might not want to go through the “hassle” of finding an interior designer, but it’ll save you time, money, and frustration. By doing it right the first time, you don’t have to worry about some of the issues that come with a poorly completed project.
Not all designers are created equal, but a good one is worth the investment.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
