25 Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer
Today, I'm going to share with you some of the lesser-known benefits of hiring an interior designer.
There are a lot of ideas floating around about what exactly interior designers do. What services do they offer? What should you call them? Why should you pay someone to help you pick out furniture?... Well, the thing is you don’t have to!
“Full-Service” interior design is a luxury service. You can absolutely have a beautiful, well-functioning home all on your own without using a designer. Heck, your home doesn’t even have to be beautiful or functional, it is there to provide you shelter from the elements so if you’ve got 4 walls, a roof, and modern-day plumbing, you my friend are doing splendidly!
On the other hand, I truly believe your home can be a beautiful reflection of your personality and create a safe and happy place to rest and relax. Our surroundings play such an important part in our overall mood that if you have the means and option to positively impact your space I think you’ll be a happier person by doing so!
With all the chaos of the 21st century and the time and energy people spend at their jobs it’s such a great feeling coming home to a lovely and inviting environment after a hard day’s work. A home provides a safe haven. It’s where we spend a good chunk of our lives. We entertain in them, we celebrate, we create memories with loved ones, we grow, we grieve, we learn, we rest.
“A home provides a safe haven. It’s where we spend a good chunk of our lives. We entertain in them, we celebrate, we create memories with loved ones, we grow, we grieve, we learn, we rest.”
For most, purchasing a home is the largest investment they’ll make in their life; why not put some time and attention into making the inside an enjoyable space to be. And if you choose to rent, and are working with strict rules about what can be changed, there are still endless ways to create a space that is true to your style (Just ask my best friend Megan!). Interior design is all around us and it is important.
So whatever phase of life you are in, if you are contemplating hiring a designer but are still curious about what benefits they can offer you. Well, you have come to the right place!
Grab a cup of coffee and settle in, this is a long one folks!
Professional level of knowledge and expertise
An interior designer brings many skills to the table. During their educational training theories of design are learned and practiced in a variety of different settings. Design is more than just what looks nice together, it has to function and perform well for its users. While there can be many solutions to a design problem, your designer is trained to find what best works for you and your family’s unique needs. Experience is gained through internships or apprenticeships and continues on in order to stay up to date with the latest in new materials and technologies.
2. Identify the project
When a client approaches a designer they are wanting to make changes to their home. Sometimes they’re confused about where to start. A designer can help you navigate those transition phases in your life and make your space work better for you. Part of identifying the project is not just figuring out where to start but also where to stop. A small cosmetic update can easily snowball into a major renovation if not properly managed. Your designer will work with you to break your project into phases that are manageable for both your well-being and your bank account!
3. Offer insight regarding timeline and budget
Budgets are a fact of life. Even simply talking with a designer will provide guidance regarding whether what you are hoping to achieve in the timeline and budget is do-able. A large part of a designer’s role is to help keep clients’ expectations realistic. A complete kitchen renovation in 2 weeks? Sorry, not going to happen! Great design takes time and the amount you’re about to invest in your home deserves some extra attention to detail (as well as patience). This is not a process to be rushed ☺️
4. Set priorities
Even once we’ve identified the project, there is still an order in which things can or should be done. You as the client have a good chunk of the responsibility to share with your designer where the focus should begin. Early decision-making can feel overwhelming, but discussions with your professional will get things rolling. Together you should be able to establish the order in which the project unfolds.
5. Set project parameters
What are project parameters you ask? I like to think of them as the rules and guidelines for working together. They set the scope of the project, identify the responsibilities each party has, and flush out the necessity for timely communication. All of these factors can impact the success of the project. And this process should be enjoyable!
6. Create a design plan
This is pretty much what it sounds like, but there’s a whole lot more involved. Once the basics have been established your designer will sit down and get to work. The goal is to create a design concept that will solve your problems, be both beautiful and functional, and showcase the collaboration between both client and designer.
7. Design to suit clients’ lifestyle
Are you currently raising a family? Recent empty nesters? Or have you recently relocated? Regardless of the phase of life you’re in, an interior designer will help you combine beauty and functionality. Through inquiry and communication, a design will be created to meet not just your immediate needs but to carry you along for years to come. Your space should work for you!
8. Come up with fresh unexpected ideas
We all get so used to seeing things as they’ve always been, that it can be hard to picture anything different. Hiring a professional designer will provide you with new ideas that perhaps you would not have thought of on your own. A fresh set of eyes can offer an updated look to any home.
Staying true to a client’s style is vital in the overall plan, but a little nudge slightly outside your comfort zone can be a great thing!
9. Guidance regarding reuse of existing pieces
Many families have pieces that have sentimental value and have been passed down through generations. Restoring, repurposing, and reusing a piece (or two) can provide a bit of character to a space. Not to mention furniture used to be built to such a high quality of craftsmanship, it would be heartbreaking to dispose of a true piece of art! A designer can offer some suggestions as to which pieces are worth holding onto, what can be worked into the new design or perhaps used elsewhere in the home. This respects history, budget, and the environment.
10. Proper use and application of materials
Part of your design plan should address which materials are best suited for specific areas. Appearance, durability, maintenance, and practicality are all factors to keep in mind when selecting finishes. Your designer’s experience and expertise can help guide your decisions. Professional installation is typically the best way to go.
11. Access to “trade-only” goods, vendors, and services
There are suppliers that will deal only with professionals such as designers and contractors. Some of the many benefits this offers include; better quality of materials, larger selections, competitive pricing, exclusivity, as well as elevated customer service. This provides another element of uniqueness to your project.
12. Team of reliable tradespeople and vendors
Show of hands if you have ever accidentally thrown something in the dryer that should NOT have been “tumble dry low” and now it’s ruined? Guilty! These beautiful materials that you’ve just invested in and waited for are ready to be installed. Your designer has built a team of professionals who they know and trust. They know the value of the material, how to properly install it, and if it requires any special preparation and finishing. They can also advise as to how much material is needed to complete the job. This can cover window treatments, flooring, reupholstering, painting, tiling, building materials and so much more!
13. Source and purchase all furnishings, materials, and accessories.
A full-service interior designer will specify each and every item in the design plan for their client’s approval. They are curating these items to coordinate together, one change can affect the entire design. From custom to in-stock, to off-the-shelf purchasing, your designer finds it all. They also assume the responsibility of placing all orders and tracking the status of all open orders.
You still with me? We’re about halfway through!
14. Project management
Project Management is a critical component of any home improvement project. It provides oversight to ensure organization and coordination between all parties. A designer can act as the contact person for trades, deliveries, installations, vendors, taking the burden off the client.
15. Moral support
Life happens. Unforeseen things can pop up during a project, but that doesn’t have to derail everything. Having a good relationship with your designer can be like having a safety net in place. That first choice option is no longer available, or an item is back-ordered six months. Your designer can help you pick another great option, or decide if your backorder is worth the wait. Remember, things will work out in the end just as they should!
16. Prevent costly mistakes
There is no doubt that undergoing a home renovation or remodel can be an inconvenience. I understand the feeling of just wanting the project to be finished and to have your home back all to yourself. It’s important to keep the overall big picture at the forefront. In my experience, costly mistakes result from trying to rush the process, delayed decision making, and purchases outside the approved design plan. You’re making a significant and long-term investment in your home. Having patience will pay off in the end.
17. Problem solver & troubleshooter
Remember when I mentioned having a designer is like a built-in safety net? Well if you’ve ever undertaken a home renovation on your own you know problem-solving is as much a part of your project as the initial design itself. Expect bumps in the road. Account for errors, hidden issues, and perhaps even a blip or two. Keep in mind some occurrences are beyond anyone's control (bad weather, manufacturing schedules, damages, etc). Your designer should be able to think well under pressure and work to resolve issues as quickly as possible.
18. Unbiased decision-maker
Throughout this process, a client is asked to make a lot of decisions and for some, this can become overwhelming. Visualizing how all the components will come together is where some people get stuck. An interior designer will guide you through the selection process and explain why certain recommendations are presented. Hiring a designer gives you access to a great resource, use them!
19. Honest but kind feedback
Your designer welcomes your ideas and inspiration in developing the overall design plan. The goal is for you to love your space and for it to reflect who you are. While you may spot a cool and unique piece in a magazine it may not work with the decided-upon concept. Yes, changes can be made. However, there is a point in the process in which changes or alterations become difficult if not impossible to accommodate.
20. Keeping the client’s best interest in mind
Okay, back to budgets. Regardless of the amount of your budget for most people, there is a limit. Your designer will offer insight as to where those resources are best directed. Some materials and furnishings are worth a larger investment for the quality and longevity of the piece. While other items can be sourced more frugally. No one likes the “money talk” but it’s in your best interest to be honest with your designer. They want the project to be a success!
21. Project organization
Sounds a lot like Project Management, but there are differences. Once the project is underway and orders have been placed there are practical and budgetary advantages as to the order in which project components are completed. Of course, it will vary from project to project but some of this should be obvious. What gets installed first? Think of it as a layering process. You wouldn’t want your beautiful new backsplash fully installed before your countertop goes in. Or your painter has to come back to touch things up after the flooring guys scuffed the walls.
22. Oversee installation, work, and deliveries
One of a designer’s main responsibilities, besides developing the design, is being an advocate for their clients. I’ve had vendors just straight up not submit entire orders properly which resulted in delays on projects, in these cases I try to work with the vendor to offer some type of compensation on behalf of my client. By staying on top of these things, your designer can avoid or reduce the impact of these kinds of errors. Having the designer on-site during these processes has distinct advantages- making sure the correct items arrive, they arrive in pristine condition, and land in their new intended home.
23. Deal with damaged goods
Accidents happen! Whether an item is missing, incorrect, or damaged your designer can handle order discrepancies for you. Acting as the point-person, they will contact the appropriate vendor to initiate a resolution to the problem.
24. Finishing touches
This is where the project goes from good to GREAT! Once the larger pieces are in place you may feel like the work is done, but it’s that last layer of finishing touches that really elevates the overall look. From textiles to wall art, decorative accessories, and greenery, these finishing touches enhance the personality of your home.
25. Keep the process fun
Your project is as important to your designer as it is to you. We as designers understand the investment of time and money that you are making in your home. Our goal is to assist our clients in every aspect from start to finish to achieve their desired outcome. It’s what we do!
So there you have it, 25 Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer. If you stuck with me to the end, thank you, that was a lot of information!
But, as you can see there are a ton of components that go into the behind-the-scenes of a project that I think get lost in the world of home decor television. I believe part of an interior designer's responsibility is to help educate their clients as well as the general public surrounding the field, this can only help the industry as a whole!
Of course, I felt like each item on this list could be its own post, but with a high-level overview we can ease into topics you’d like to discuss further.
Did you learn anything new here?
Did I sway your opinion one way or the other?
Are you now pro-hiring an interior designer?
