Interior Design: More Than Just A Pretty Space
If you've ever moved into a new home or are planning to make improvements to your current one, then you've undoubtedly poured over Instagram, Pinterest and Houzz for interior design inspiration, but for many the thought of actually taking your vision from the mood board to reality can be daunting. The truth is, renovation projects of all sizes require intricately detailed planning and a well-executed strategy to create a unique and beautiful design with the "wow" factor.
Even though you may have impeccable taste and a keen eye for design, an interior designer has something more: training, exclusive resources and experience. Read on to learn more about how an interior designer can actually save you money, time and stress all while increasing your home's value and creating a magazine-worthy space.
Reason 1: Expertise
Consulting with a professional designer at the very start of a project offers a major advantage when making renovation decisions. What would likely take you countless hours of research, an experienced designer already knows. Their trained eye enables them to immediately tell you what is wrong and right with a space and can confidently keep you on the right track to a gorgeous end result you'll be happy with.
An experienced interior designer can also help keep your vision realistic and doable. Because they know all about building codes and safety regulations, they will make sure you avoid costly mistakes and can effectively communicate with contractors and
architects. They will be able to ask the right questions and point contractors in the right direction to make sure the design concept becomes a reality. Oftentimes, when working with a contractor, it can be hard to put your vision into words, and this is where a professional designer can come into play.
Designers also help you in the decision-making process when you’re feeling unsure. They know the difference between a good design idea and one that’s not going to cut it either aesthetically or functionally.
Reason 2: Resources
Interior designers have one major privilege that non-designers don't: a known network of vendors and contractors at their disposal, which means they have inside access to all the trade and material resources needed to take your project to the next level. An experienced designer will also likely have a long list of previously completed projects, giving them first-hand knowledge of the best and most reliable contractors in the industry.
Interested in getting exclusive discounts? They can also buy furnishings and materials that aren’t available to the public while simultaneously saving you cash by taking advantage of their trade discount.
Another great resource that designers often use is specialty software tools that can help you visualize the impact of a material selection or furniture in a room. This can be especially helpful for those who need to "see it" before they are comfortable moving forward.
Reason 3: Save Money
Interior designers aren’t just for the super wealthy. A big misconception is that they will take up too much of the renovation budget, however working with a good designer will result in a client saving money. As experts, they have a strong understanding of all the available options. For example, let's say you originally had your mind set on marble, but your designer can guide you to another material that looks identical at a fraction of the cost. You can now use the savings to get those designer sconces you've been eyeing or upholster the sofa with an extra luxe fabric.
As previously mentioned, designers don’t pay retail pricing, so anything from materials, furniture and even décor will cost you less than what you would pay if purchasing directly.
Lastly, their experience can help you avoid costly mistakes, and even if there happens to be an major error, a licensed interior designer will have insurance to take care of it.
Reason 4: Project Management
Renovations can be very complicated with a lot of moving parts, and it's the designer's job to ensure everything runs smoothly. Through their experience, they can anticipate potential issues or problems that may arise and prevent costly errors before they even occur. Designers are trained to think about things we will likely overlook.
That’s another reason why getting an interior designer on board early is ideal. They manage the whole project from beginning to end, so you won't have to stress about ordering materials or hiring the right contractor or coordinating schedules.
When you hire an interior designer, you gain an advocate- someone in your corner helping you to achieve both short and long-term project goals and keeping it all within your budget and timeline.
Reason 5: Increased Value
Real estate is by far the most expensive investment most people will make in their lifetime, so it's a smart move to bring an interior designer's expertise into the mix as they can drastically improve your home's net worth.
If you sell your home, having used an interior designer is a major selling point. Additionally, a professionally designed home with timeless style and exclusive materials instantly gives you an advantage over the other homes in your neighborhood.
A good interior designer not only designs for you, but is also committed to the overall improvement of your home by helping you make decisions that will result in the greatest return on investment.
An interior designer envisions, plans and creates spaces in a way that makes them both stunningly beautiful and highly functional. They masterfully balance aesthetic considerations with architectural planning to reflect your vision, seamlessly fit your lifestyle and enhance the home’s structural features. Interior design is a serious skill, and investing in a professional is worth every penny.
Ready to get started? Have questions? No matter where you are at in the design process, we love inspiring and supporting you. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help.
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