Need Design or Decorating Help? Hire a Designer

source: BHG

source: BHG

There are many reasons to hire an interior designer. Perhaps you are color challenged, can’t visualize or just don’t have the time to invest in creating the home of your dreams. A designer can help you achieve a well designed home by helping you navigate through all the practical and technical considerations such as space planning, lighting, acoustics, and storage as wells as help you solve problems and avoid costly mistakes.

Interior Designer as Advisor

An interior designer can help you discover your personal style and offer you unique and innovative design ideas that fit your lifestyle. They can advise you on the key elements of design such as scale and proportion, helping you avoid common mistakes like furniture that’s too big or too small. They can also help you set realistic goals in terms of look, budget and timeline as well as help guide you through the maze of products available in the worlds of furniture, appliances, fabrics, wallcoverings, lighting, flooring...the list goes on and on.

Interior Designer as a Resource

As a resource, interior designers can offer you access to manufacturers, contractors, artists, and craftspeople that you may never find on your own. A designer can help coordinate and communicate the big picture as well as the details of your project to these resources, insuring a successful outcome. Finally, designers make their wealth of knowledge and experience available to you, helping to avoid costly mistakes.

Interior Designer as a Project Manager

As a project manager, the designer can help you create an overall plan and timeline to see the project through. Because they are experienced in the design process they know in which order decisions need to be made. They can order products on your behalf, as well as coordinate the different trades and services needed to get the job done. They can also help you manage your budget and optimize your funds by helping you to make quality and cost-effective purchases for your project.

Interior Decorator vs. Interior Designer

What’s the difference? Although these titles are used interchangeably, some professionals say there is a difference mainly based on experience rather than specific qualifications. An interior decorator focuses more on color, fabric and furnishings. An interior designer not only works with color, fabrics and furnishings but also has the knowledge and experience to propose architectural changes and design interior architectural details such as moldings, beams and cabinetry.

Hire a Designer Web Guide

• Find a Designer Through the American Society of Interior Designers
  Use ASID’s Designer Referral Service to find a professional interior designer in your area.

• Four Reasons you Should Hire a Designer
  Not sure whether hiring an interior designer is right for you? Apartment Therapy has some great reason why you should!

• Basic Tips on Finding an Interior Decorator
  Find a decorating professional with these 5 easy tips.