Hiring an interior designer can be a great decision for anyone looking to update their home. Interior designers are trained professionals who have the skills and expertise to help you create a functional and aesthetically pleasing space.

Why hiring an interior designer can be a smart move

• Save time and hassle. Trying to plan and execute a design project on your own can be overwhelming and time-consuming. An interior designer takes care of everything for you, from creating a design plan to sourcing materials and coordinating with contractors. This saves you a lot of stress and allows you to focus on other aspects of your life.
• Maximize your space and functionality. If you’re not sure how to arrange your furniture or make the most of a small space, an interior designer offers creative solutions and helps you maximize the potential of your space. They also help you choose the right furniture, lighting, layout, and accessories to create a cohesive and functional design.
• Create and stay on budget. It can be easy to overspend on design projects, but an interior designer helps you create a realistic budget and stick to it. They also help you prioritize where to spend money to make it count like performance fabric on a sofa in a house with pets, and where you can save.

What Services are Provided by Interior Designers?

There are a variety of services available when it comes to interior design. Traditional designers will provide a full service luxury service whereby they manage the design, project management, all the way to install and troubleshooting thereafter. On the other side of the scale is e-design either by an individual or a service like modsy.com or havenly.com. In the middle is a sort of designer for a day where a designer may accompany you to a day of shopping at Arhaus or West Elm and help you make selections that best work for you.

Whether you want a second opinion, e-design, or full project management, designers have expertise on the following subjects (and more). Take into consideration how much you want to do on your own and how much you want to outsource. If you want to do most of the list below on your own, an e-design might be the best route for you. If you don’t have enough hours in the day or don’t trust your own style to handle the below, then you may need to outsource more of a full service model:

• Consultation: most designers will start with a consultation where they gather in depth details about your project, your style, and your home and in return provide some high level insight about solutions.
• Concept and mood boards: this sets the color scheme and style for the design.
• Space Planning: this involves creating a layout for a room or space that maximizes its functionality and flow.
• Color consultation: helping to choose the right colors for your space based on your preferences and the mood you want to create.
• Furniture selection: choosing furniture that fits your style, budget, and space requirements.
• Lighting design: the right lighting effects the desired ambiance and functionality. An interior designer can help you choose the right fixtures and placement.
• Material selection: ensure a space is cohesive by selecting the flooring, wall covering, fabrics, fixtures, and accents.
• Project management: an interior designer oversees the entire design process, from concept to installation, to ensure that everything runs smoothly and on schedule.
• Styling and accessorizing: choosing the right accessories and decor to complete the look of your space.

How to hire an interior designer

• Determine your budget: Before you start looking for an interior designer, you need to determine how much you can afford to spend on their services. Most designers can walk you through their ladder of services and give you a sense of overall budget.
• Research: Look for interior designers in your area and check their portfolios, reviews, and credentials. You can also ask for recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues.
• Schedule consultations: Once you have a list of potential interior designers, schedule consultations with them to discuss your project and get a sense of their style and approach. A consultation is usually a paid service so be prepared to do this with a short list or when you’re close to deciding.
• Ask questions: During the consultation, ask questions about their experience, qualifications, and design process. Make sure your personalities vibe. You’ll be working closely together and in a very personal nature so you want to feel comfortable. You can also ask for references from previous clients.
• Make a decision: Choose the interior designer that best fits your needs and budget.
• Sign a contract: Before the project begins, make sure to sign a contract that outlines the scope of work, timeline, and payment terms.

In conclusion, hiring an interior designer can be a smart decision for anyone looking to update their space. They can save you time and hassle, help you maximize your space, and keep you on budget. So if you’re thinking of making some changes to your home or office, consider hiring an interior designer to help you bring your vision to life.

If you are just beginning this journey, or are ready to kick off a project, please reach out to lberkey@laurenberkey.com or click here to contact us to see how we may be of assistance!