The right Interior Designer can be one of the best investment you’ll ever make into fulfilling your design dreams. Having an Interior Designer on your upcoming design project is a big decision to make and it’s also the right decision (regardless of my bias) for many reasons. Here are the top 7 benefits of working with an Interior Designer.
1. Avoid critical design errors.
Have you ever walked into a space and knew something was off? Maybe you can’t pinpoint what the exact issue is or you definitively know it’s that great aunt’s artwork from forever go. Most critical errors come down to scale (where items are not sized appropriately) or lacking texture (when rooms feel flat). Either way, having a good Designer by your side will take all of these elements into consideration before you even begin designing your space. Doing such will nip those issues right in the bud.
What goes hand in hand with this one is also avoiding costly mistakes. Those critical errors can be expensive. Imagine installing a grout and realizing it’s the wrong color? Eek, that will be a pain and added expense to remove it. Moreover, if you agreed to it, it’s a cost that’s on you. Having all the details designed and laid out for the Contractor really help streamline the process and avoid this costly mistakes.
2. Focus on the solutions, not the problems.
The right Designer for you will be solely focused on the solutions and not the problem. At KH Home Design (KHDD), I have a policy of never going to my clients with a list of issues without a solution in-hand. You don’t need to hear that your brand new tile is broken. What you need is a solution. “Keeping the eye on the prize” so to speak keeps you feeling positive and upbeat about your project while having the peace of mind knowing your Designer handling it all for you.
3. Access to vetted trade professionals.
The stories I hear make me cringe. I’m sure you’ve heard of them too.
- The Contractor who took the money the ran
- The electrician who took payment and left wires hanging
- The floor tile installer who left you with slanted floors
If your Designer is established, then they have likely worked with the same contractors and subcontractors repeatedly. They also will have worked out the kinks of subpar quality and will reserve the best of the best for their clients. For me, I have rigorous standards that I hold my team too with a keen eye for detail. I required clean project, straight lines, high quality craftsman ships and pleasant personalities the whole time.
VETTING TIP: Be sure to ask your Designer how long they have worked with the Contractor they are recommending and what stands out about them.
4. Value for your investment.
Designers know how to spend your money. It is our job afterall. We know that it makes sense to spend your money in the kitchen where there is a return on investment (ROI) that could be really valuable for resale later down the line. We also know it’s not wise to spend $500 on a lamp when you have a toddler. Some of this may seem obvious but when you get into the details of the design, it can far more compliment. For example, is it worth having USB outlets even if it means moving electrical? What if tearing a wall down made a big impact? What if removing a window would give you more cabinet space? There are so many scenarios in which a Designer’s forethought is necessary to take into consideration so you can get the most bang for your buck.
5. Add more time back into your day.
Every single client of mine has made it a point to share how much they appreciate having a Designer handle the Contractor and all the tedious questions that come with design. And truthfully, they’re small decisions that you may not be aware of, let alone educated enough to answer. This is where a designer steps in. Simple questions that really matter are, “Do we want a linear drain? Where and at what pitch?”, “What size of pencil tile do we edge with?” and “Do you want a duplex here or quad?”. It sounds like German, I’m sure, but they’re important. The first could result in water pooling, the second is design aesthetic, and the third can result in needing an outlet where none are available.
6. A cohesive design that feels like you.
This one is important and one that clients mostly identify with. You know when a space doesn’t feel cohesive. It’s the number one complaint and it’s your Designer’s job to take the surrounding spaces into consideration. Whether it’s a design personalized to you, one that follows the newest trends, or a jaw-dropping magainze worthy home, cohesion in the design is really important to it feeling like a unified home.
7. A headache-free streamlined process.
This goes hand-in-hand with several other benefits. No more “Where is this?”, “Where is that?”, “Did you order this yet?” Most Designers offer Full Service design wherein the Designer is doing all of the ordering for you. Items are given to the Contractor in advance of when they’re needed to keep the ball rolling without delay. This is really important for the workflow to continue without interruptions. If you ever done construction before, you know that delays always mean more money.
I hope this blog has helped you understand the purpose and the value of having an Interior Designer in your corner!
