In an age when we can use Google to search for almost anything, it makes sense why anyone would think they do not need an interior designer for their next project. So many DIY projects and ideas are shown all over the internet through Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc. and with all these resources out there, so many homeowners are driven to do it themselves. However, I am here to tell you that many homeowners quickly realize or come to regret taking on the project/renovation on their own. The benefits of hiring an interior designer for your next project are tremendous and will save you the headache and stress of tackling it yourself. We have been trained to do this! We have the resources you need and want to share them with you. We are devoted to your project and know what it needs and know how to accomplish it for you. Interior designers are your tool to use to help with all aspects of the project and we are delighted to be that and make your project as fun and enjoyable as possible.
First, interior designers have the knowledge you need. We have gone through years of education and training to learn all the aspects of design from the basics, through building codes and safety, material specifications, space planning, etc. We have the information that is needed to have a successful design at our fingertips. Interior designers have worked hard to learn the trade and continually do so as design changes as the world changes. We keep up with the trends, the technology that is available, new materials as they are created and more. We have the tools to solve your design problems. We can use what we have learned through education and other projects to help you develop the perfect design. In addition, we are outsiders so we have a different perspective that you can utilize. Not only are we providing you with an aesthetically pleasing design, but it will also be functional. We use a variety of methods such as anthropometrics and ergonomics because we are here to provide a better quality of life. For example, the type of chair you use in your office or the sofa in the living room not only need to look good and fit the design and space, but they also need to be the right size and fit for you so that you have a better life overall.
Interior designers are here to handle all the details. We are trained and expect to take over every detail so that you do not have to. We remove this part of the project from you as it can be extremely overwhelming, especially if it is not something you have tackled before. This is where I find a lot of homeowners realizing their mistake upon starting a design project or renovation on their own. The sheer amount of detail involved can overwhelm the most organized of people. We are the middleman in the project as well and we work with other professionals involved. Interior designers are in constant contact with contractors, plumbers, electricians, product manufacturers, etc. because we keep track of all parts of the process. By taking this on, you are free to think about other things such as how excited you are about your renovation. Interior designers find the solution to problems, discuss options, plan it all out and you just get to see progress. From the initial design through install we are there keeping track of progress and making sure everything is going as it should. We keep everyone on the same page and are there to keep the ball rolling. As your designer, we are on your side and there to have your back in every situation that might arise. We are your voice to contractors and help you maintain a healthy relationship with them as well. I have seen many a relationship between a contractor and a homeowner sour as the emotionally invested homeowner takes their frustrations out on them. Instead, when an interior designer is involved, we can listen to your concerns, frustrations, comments, anything that crosses your mind and address them.
Another benefit to hiring an interior designer is to save money. We can save you money in more than one way. First, we prevent mistakes. It can be easy to get excited about an idea and run with it for your home, not realizing that it is not functional, conducive, or even make sense. Interior designers are here to guide you away from that and to show you options that will be beautiful and functional. This saves you from having to correct design mistakes in the future. As we have already researched the quality of materials or products and have industry knowledge that we can share with you, we can help you keep from making mistakes. In addition, many manufacturers provide incentives to designers and sometimes are even able to provide a designer discount that the client can use by working with the designer. We can help you save money on materials and products. This helps both the client and the manufacturer, as the manufacturer gets to continue to build a happy and healthy relationship with the designer and client, while the client gets to save a little money. It is a win-win! Lastly, interior designers are the keepers of the budget. It is our job to maintain your budget for you. We are constantly making sure that any specification we have made is within budget as well as we have the foresight to leave some wiggle room. In any project there is always the potential for an unseen issue, and we try to leave some room monetarily to take care of it. Now, we are here to help maintain the budget but as interior designers, we will not ignore quality for a lower price. We are not here to find the cheapest option, as that will not help you in the long run. We are here to provide you with quality first. Luckily, we know what areas of the project we can use to save a little and others where we cannot. So, at the end of the day, we can keep that budget solid, and you do not have to worry about a thing!
Interior designers are extremely useful in saving you time. The amount of time that goes into a project is astronomical. Therefore, we take on the hours of research, communication with other trade professionals, making sure everything is on time and scheduled, being a part of the installation process, etc. in order to give you the time to live your life. We make it possible to tackle a large project or number of projects and give you the time to be with family and friends, focus on work and hobbies, and to continue to live your life. We spend hours in front of the computer, seeing showrooms, researching material specifications, to give you the best options and best possible design. We do all the work so all you have to do is approve it. We are happy to take on the work for you so that you can continue to live your life. Design and all the comes with it is something we love and excel at, so we are happy to be the researcher, communicator, detailer, and designer for you. We want you to continue to live your life and have the time to do so. This helps remove stress from the project and gives you the opportunity to find joy in the process.
The biggest role we have to play is providing you with the peace of mind that your project is going to be wonderful and that you have made all the right choices. We have been trained and learned through experience how to help you visualize the end product. We use a variety of methods for this. With mood boards, inspiration photos, samples, material boards, floor plans, photo-rendering software and more, we can help you understand exactly what the design will look like and how it will benefit you in the future. We take the insecurity out of the project entirely and give you confidence in the design but also in yourself and your choices. We guide you to the choices that will benefit you and your lifestyle, while maintaining the design plan discussed. Overall, peace of mind in the project is what we provide, and through our knowledge, time management, budgeting, and communication, we can give you the security you need in the project. We will help you to see that the design is functional for you and is beautiful. As a designer, my goal is to make you feel at home, even before the final installation has been complete. I design with my client in mind every step of the way so that they know that the project is in good hands and that they do not have to worry about a thing.
Interior designers truly have so much value to provide to our clients. We can step in and carry the weight of the project so that our clients can enjoy the process and focus on the things that are truly important to them. We are not just there to create a pretty room; we provide functional spaces that solve the design problems of our clients to provide them with a better quality of life throughout the design process and after. So, the next time you might be thinking about tackling a renovation on your own, remember how much interior designers do and all the advantages we can provide. You will be surprised and pleased with the result!
Thank you for reading!
Colleen Arlet
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