Interior Designers Make A Difference

Homeowners don’t have the same resources, experiences, reference library, suppliers, or contacts that interior designers have.  That doesn’t mean that the homeowner shouldn’t do any planning at all.  You have to look at enough stores or magazines to know what you want, and be able to convey your preferences to your designer.  The designer should then use his or her expertise to put together a look that reflects your tastes. 

Home building and remodeling projects provide opportunities to exhibit the products that reflect your personal style and taste. You want to purchase the right products to achieve this. 

Do you know where to find those products?  Are you sure that the products you select will be compatible with your home, and with each other?  Where does each product fit in your budget priorities?  How many mistakes can you afford to make?

As I’ve said in “HOW TO CONTROL YOUR REMODELING PROJECT”, it can be done with weeks of searching and shopping in order to determine what’s available, and at what price.  Many people enjoy this process.  And it should be done methodically and slowly.

But today’s busy world makes many of us feel like we can never catch up with all the things we have to do.  If you can’t afford to spend every Saturday for the next several months determining your wish list, and you can afford the additional expense of a professional, you might be happier hiring an interior designer.

Here is what I believe a professional interior designer should do to help you:

1.  Establish a reasonable budget, with allowances for each item

2.  Design a space plan that's functional

3.  Recommend products, suppliers, and contractors

4.  Guide final product choices that fit the home, budget, and lifestyle

5.  Prepare detailed floor plans and elevations in order to:

Get accurate product and labor estimates

Define the scope of the work

Guard against change orders

            Ensure that you get what you expect

6. Work with you, your contractors, and your suppliers to achieve the best results possible.

The most important benefit that a professional designer brings to your project is creativity.  He or she should have the ability to see the finished room in their mind, down to the smallest detail, before it becomes a reality.  Real creativity is not simply copying ideas from a magazine or book, but being able to solve specific challenges that are unique to your project. 

If you’re not sure how to find the right interior designer for you, I suggest you visit the resource directory at my website.  This is a state-by-state listing of helpful resources for homeowners.