The Benefits of Working with an Interior Designer
You may be surprised to learn that interior design services haven’t always been as accessible as they are today. Design began as a luxury service that was only available and affordable to the wealthy. Fast forward to today and there is a designer and a service to meet every budget and every style. Working with an interior designer has become the standard for most renovation projects.
It’s not always obvious though what the benefits are to hiring a designer. That’s particularly true for a creative homeowner who feels that their good taste will allow them to manage their project.
Today I’m sharing the benefits of working with an interior designer. Some you may have considered but there’s likely one or two that will surprise you.
1/ Interior Designers Help Manage Your Budget
Part of the role your designer plays is helping you realistically create a budget that you can adhere to throughout the design. We have experience in sourcing materials and that experience allows us to accurately estimate everything from a simple subway tile to a state-of-the-art fireplace insert.
Your designer will help you understand how to prioritize your splurge and save items. Most of us can’t splurge on every material being used in the project but it’s possible to achieve that look. Your designer can help you determine exactly which materials are worth the splurge and where you can save some money.
You may find that the expense of a designer is offset by the knowledge they bring to the table in terms of budgeting. The repercussions of a costly mistake can be avoided by having a designer with you throughout the process. And in the end, the fees you pay to your designer are often far less than costly mistakes you could make without one.
2/ Preparing Drawings & Documentation
Gone are the days of collaborating with a contractor on a piece of paper at the dining table. Nowadays trades all expect to be guided by the presentation drawings created by a designer.
One of the major roles a designer plays in your renovation is to create the entire drawing package that will be utilized by the contractor and his/her team. Unless you have a working knowledge of a 3D rendering program, leave that to an interior designer.
Here are some of the documentation that may be included in your design:
Millwork elevations
Tile layout drawings
Finish and material plans
Specifications - appliances, plumbing, tile, lighting, architectural details, paint, door & window schedules
3/ Interior Designers Will Share Their Sourcing Knowledge
If you decide to tackle your own project you’ll need to make a lot of decisions around materials being sourced. And while some of that can be extremely enjoyable for a homeowner it can also become overwhelming.
Not knowing where to shop often leads to sourcing from big box stores. Sometimes that works but too often it can lead to inferior products being used. For instance, you may think the big box store backsplash tile looks exactly the same as the costly option at the tile store. While that may be true, if the product is inferior in its construction it can take the tile setter twice as long to install it. You’ll have lost all your savings on that material and be paying to have someone install an inferior product. A designer can educate you on your options, both in terms of quality and pricing.
4/ Interior Designers Bring You Their Network
I have a well established team of contractors, trades and suppliers that have been curated over a decade in business. This means you can have complete trust in the team we assemble to bring your dream home to life.
More importantly, when something goes wrong there’s an entire team working to make it right. My philosophy is that the difference between a good business and great business is the customer service they provide. I always strive to bring a great experience to all of my clients.
5/ Interior Designers Are Looking Out For You
Your contractor will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of your project but did you realize that your designer is the liaison between the contractor and yourself? I have the experience to know what questions need to be asked and when decisions need to be made. I’m familiar with the language and technical issues that may occur and I can translate and take away the fear for my clients.
Having an experienced interior designer onboard means you have a second set of eyes on the lookout for things that may not be going as planned. It’s difficult for any one person, even a highly skilled contractor, to notice everything. A designer will ask questions on the site related to functionality instead of just construction. They’ll be able to catch issues that are related specifically to the way you’ll live in your home.
6/ Timeline Management Is Important to Your Interior Designer
It’s often surprising to clients that there is an order in which we select project materials. We always begin with exterior materials because this follows the order of construction. Your exterior front door may take several months to arrive but without a designer you may have started by sourcing bathroom vanities. Waiting for the arrival of the front door could delay the start of the interior work.
Once we have selected all the exterior materials then we’re ready to tackle the interior. And again, there’s an order in which we make these selections based on the order of work in the project. For instance, a cabinet maker needs to understand the finishes you’re selecting before they can begin work. Their production time is long and any delays in deciding on a wood finish can set the entire kitchen timeline off.
Delays are a part of any construction project but without an interior designer by your side, you may encounter unnecessary delays. This happens in part, because you’re being bombarded with questions that you didn’t anticipate. Part of the role an interior designer plays is managing expectations. You’ll be prepared with everything your contractor needs well before it’s expected. This will always result in a shorter timeline for the project and that means you’ll be living in your new home as soon as possible.
7/ Interior Designers Create Functional Spaces Just For You
There are no cookie cutter designs when you work with me as your interior designer. You’re unique and your home should reflect that. Part of the initial discussions will reveal how you live and function in your space. Those bits of information will guide the design so that you end up with both a beautiful and functional home in the end.
I love to find solutions to issues that are concerning to my clients. One of my past clients had some concerns around her dishwasher and whether she’d be able to load and unload dishes as she aged. We created a fully functional solution by installing the dishwasher at counter height as opposed to the traditional under counter installation. I still hear from her periodically and this is still one of her favourite features of her home.
8/ Interior Designers Give You the Home of Your Dreams
Pinterest is filled with beautiful designs but if you’ve spent a lot of time on that platform you’ll see that a lot of spaces start to look the same. My clients will never get the same design as any of my previous clients. I never impose my style onto my clients but instead, I work to provide you with the home that you’re dreaming about.
Every one of us has different needs based on our family, our work and our relationship to our homes. Do you want a home that’s a sanctuary at the end of your stressful work day or do you want a bold, creative home that’s perfect for entertaining? Your unique needs set the design into motion.
The design process always begins with lengthy conversations that allow me to understand you and your preferences. Whether your goal is to have a living space that welcomes your friends and family for inspiring conversation, a bathroom that provides the best in luxury and relaxation, or a kitchen that allows you to whip up an amazing meal with ease of function, my team of trusted vendors and trades can make that happen.
It’s often surprising for clients to learn how much joy I receive in being able to help others. Knowing that I can bring a sense of calm to what can sometimes be an overwhelming process is very rewarding. Not only do I love collaborating with my clients to achieve a great design but I also love educating them on why some ideas work for their space and why some don't. In the end, my only goal is that you absolutely love your home!
If you think your next project could benefit from an interior designer, let's get in touch!
Warm regards,
Adrienne