9 Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer
Beautiful interior design does not happen by chance. Stunning spaces are carefully explored, planned, and curated by professionals. Designers are trained in both the art and science of interior design and the end result of their work reflects that skill. A good designer takes your project from concept to reality and helps you navigate the complexities of the design process every step of the way. Imagine having someone who also really gets you and what you want to create in your home. Someone who delivers a space that not only meets your needs, but also gives you a space that reflects the soul of you and your family. While hiring a designer is an additional expense, the benefits, time and money saved and end result make the investment well worth it. I always encourage people to do a free discovery call at the start of their project and see where it leads. I’m here to make things easier on my clients and deliver their dream space.
1. A TRUSTED PARTNERSHIP
The design process is exciting but can also be overwhelming. There are a lot of moving parts even on a simple project and having a trusted partnership with your designer can help you move through it all with more confidence. Simply put, a designer can be your best ally. We listen to what you really need and want for your home, provide honest feedback and guide you through selecting all the pieces of a project, including paint, fabric, furniture, appliances, lighting and more. Partnering with the right designer from the beginning can not only save a lot of headaches later on, but will also give you access to the expertise and industry resources only designers can offer. During any project there are things that come up and problems that need to be solved. Your designer is there to solve those problems and make sure the final outcome is even better than you had imagined. A good designer also know hows to speak the language when it comes to architects, contractors, and vendors. This is crucial in managing time and money.
2. A WELL-DESIGNED SPACE
Beautiful aesthetics and style are just part of a well-designed space. One of the benefits of working with an experienced designer is that you get a design solution tailored to you that has both form and function. Designers are trained in both the art and science of design. Let’s say you have a space that needs to work as a home office and living area but aren’t sure how to make it happen. A skilled designer can deliver a design plan that meets the needs of the space but also delivers on style and aesthetics, giving you solutions that you may not have thought of on your own. Perhaps the kitchen you used to avoid becomes the place where you feel centered and nourished, a space that supports your family and friends. If your home feels stagnant or cluttered, the right designer can create a design plan to change the energy of the home and make it a place that both restores and inspires. The bottomline is that a well designed space has hundreds of components, and a good designer knows how to put those elements together to give you a space that is uniquely yours, and enhances your life and well-being.
3. PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE AND INDUSTRY ACCESS
Another benefit of working with a designer is that a whole world of quality products and industry knowledge become available. You’re no longer limited to retail trends and mass manufactured items, but can choose from goods and design studios that are not available to the public. You can rely on the level of craftsmanship and quality, and vendors stand by their products. When a client works with me, they have access to all of this, including my expertise, skill and service. I have curated an extensive selection of the best sustainable furniture, case goods and other design resources that I utilize for all my projects. I can also connect you with artisans and help facilitate the process of creating commissioned one-of-a-kind pieces specifically for your space. I offer my clients access to my partnerships with highly qualified and trusted trade specialists such as builders, painters, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, paper hangers, and flooring specialists.
4. PROJECT VISUALIZATION
The benefit of working with a skilled designer is that your vision can become a reality without the guesswork. When you’re looking at redesigning your home, the pieces often feel separate and it can be hard to feel like you have a cohesive design that you can visualize. Designers can bring all those pieces together, offer clients a way to visualize the final outcome, and turn the initial vision into a reality. In a floor plan, you can actually see the furniture lay out and understand how the room is put together. A mood board can give you the feel and aesthetic direction of the space. An elevation or 3D rendering illustrates how your space will look. Samples give clients the opportunity to touch and feel tile, textile, flooring and more. Designers offer their clients the tools they need in order to see what their new space will look like and feel confident in making important design decisions.
5. CUSTOMIZATION
Designers excel at customizing every detail for their clients. Whether it’s taking out a partial wall and installing a custom railing or designing a sofa with custom upholstery, I work with skilled craftspeople to help create one-of-a-kind pieces. There are so many options, but throw pillows, window treatments, custom upholstery, kitchen cabinetry, one-of-a-kind rugs, unique light fixtures, furniture, and fabulous built-ins are all possible. Designing for pets is also a fun challenge. I once designed pull-out cabinetry for cat litter boxes that slid in and out under the stairs. No matter what the custom item is, the benefit of working with a designer is that they guide the whole process beginning with creating the unique design, working with the craftspeople and ending with the final installation.
6. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Every design project has hundreds of details and decision points along the way. The benefit to hiring an interior designer is that you have someone on your team who will manage all the details of the project for you. Life is busy enough, so why not make it easier by having someone handle the design project for you? Good designers provide a clear process for their clients. I offer all my clients a four phase design process so that they know what steps are next and can relax knowing where they are at each stage. For clients who use my consultation and client-implemented design services, they benefit from the same process but do the install on their own. Designers can manage it all for you from beginning to end, including working directly with the General Contractor, coordinating subcontractors, meeting with showrooms, and handling purchasing/managing all furnishings orders. Lead times are often 6-12 weeks at a minimum for furniture and other items, so I make sure that schedule is updated and overseen. I am also an expert in dealing with unexpected situations, which sometimes happen on a job site or during a project’s timeline. A shipment delay, a damaged item, a manufacturer error in finish, a change in construction schedule. Whatever the issue, I coordinate the fix: I am the gatekeeper for your project and peace of mind.
7. SAVE TIME AND MONEY
Designers bring a wealth of experience and technical skill to each project and can help their clients save time and money in the long run. I worked with a client once who had chosen all her furniture, but when I did the space plan I was able to show her that the furniture would not fit the room and made suggestions that she hadn’t yet considered for the space. This saved my client over $10,000 in furniture that she would have been unable to return and also resulted in a finished space that she truly loved. This is just one example of many. When you’re investing in your home, office or commercial space, you want to make sure you have a good team. A designer is an essential member of that team and can help ensure your investment pays off.
8. THE BUDGET
The budget is crucial to the success of a project. “What’s your budget” is a question all designers ask their clients. The benefit of hiring a designer is that we will make sure everything specified for the job falls within the client’s parameters. Designers also offer clients a range of options in terms of style, value, quality and cost so they can weigh what’s important to them and how they want to invest. I use a flat fee system for my design fees that I collect once the letter of agreement is signed. Once the design plan is approved, I collect the entire amount for furniture, accessories and styling. This means I can devote my time to designing for the client and managing the project rather than hourly billing, and my client can relax and enjoy the creative design process knowing there aren’t any surprises. Of course if clients want to add to the project, then an addendum or new letter of agreement is created so that everything is clear and straightforward.
9. THE WOW FACTOR
Interior designers are trained to think creatively and spatially. Not only can we see the details, but we can visualize the overall picture of an interior and see things that often clients cannot. A designer can take your home and transform it into something you’re not only proud of, but will really reflect the investment and skill put into the project. That wow factor of a magazine worthy space that is truly customized for you and your family.