Why hire an interior designer? Five important ways a professional can add value to your project
Image: Lived in 365
When it comes to starting a new house project there are so many different costs to consider; architect, builder, materials, the list goes on. And on. With that in mind it can feel like a stretch to consider hiring an interior designer even if you feel that you could benefit from the eye of a professional to achieve the look that you’re aiming for.
First things first, a designer may cost less than you think. Hiring someone to help with your interior is no longer the sole preserve of the rich and famous and more and more people are recognising the value of having help with the home that they spend so much of their time in. For more details on our costs, check out our services page here.
However, as well as pulling together a design that makes you happy to be home there are several other ways in which a designer can really be worth the investment.
1. Having a detailed plan saves costly mistakes
If you’ve ever been involved with a renovation project before you’ll know that when the contractors are on site things can be quite intense. You can be dealing with tens of questions a day; where lighting fixtures will go, where does one wall colour transition into the other, what height will the tiling be and what grout colour?
When you work with us, part of our remit after we have settled on a design is to put together detailed plans for contractors to work to, meaning fewer questions for you to answer on a day-to-day basis as well as fewer mistakes that need to be corrected which cost time and money. You can see an example of one of our technical drawings here.
We can also manage procurement for you ensuring that all of your materials get to site as and when they are needed so that there are fewer wasted days.
Image: Lived in 365
2. We can introduce you to tried and tested contrators and suppliers
One of the most frustrating parts of any renovation process is dealing with contractors who don’t arrive when they say they will or whose work is not up to scratch.
We work on approximately 20 projects each year with a range of contractors including builders and decorators, so we’re well placed to help you find the right person for the job.
We also work very regularly with a number of highly skilled kitchen supplier and joinery companies giving you access to well-priced, quality companies without trawling through reviews.
3. We will push you out of your comfort zone
So you’ve spent your time scrolling Pinterest and Instagram and seen a host of beautiful spaces but when it comes to your own house you tend to stick to your comfort zone rather than make a mistake.
When you work with an interior designer not only will they be able to propose design choices that you may not have considered, but they can give you the confidence to go for a bolder scheme that makes your project completely unique.
As part of every project, we work on we also build a 3D digital model of your room which helps you to visualise the suggested finishes and layout more effectively, giving you the conviction you need to go for the scheme you really want.
Image: Lived in 365
4. We save you time
As well as delivering a design that looks great and works for your lifestyle, a good interior designer should also save you precious time during your renovation project.
From saving you from hours deliberating on a scheme to connecting you with the right people to deliver it, hiring an interior designer allows you to focus on whatever is important to you.
As well as presenting you with a scheme and lining up the tradesman to deliver it, we also provide a detailed shopping list for all of the items that we have suggested meaning that all you have to do is click and pay. And if that’s too much we can also manage the procurement, giving you just one invoice to settle instead of thirty.
Image: Lived in 365
5. We can help you work to budget
When you’re undertaking a renovation project it can be difficult to keep a track of the budget across all of the many elements including materials, labour and specialist suppliers.
As part of our specifications stage, we provide you with everything you need to manage your budget. We deliver a detailed shopping list including different options for key items allowing you to achieve the aesthetic you want for a price that works.
We also make sure that our shopping list is thorough; including items that you may have overlooked which can otherwise lead to mounting overspend.
Image: Lived In 365
In summary, hiring an interior designer should mean that you achieve a scheme that you love but it should also mean that you achieve it more efficiently, with less stress and fewer bumps in the road.