Need Help? Hire a Designer

There are many reasons to hire an interior designer. Perhaps you're "color challenged," can’t visualize or just don’t have the time to put into creating the home of your dreams. A designer can help you achieve the space of your dreams 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 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 to avoid common mistakes such as 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 to you 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 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're 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.

Design Fees
There's no such thing as a typical fee for an interior designer - rates and methods of payment can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size and scope of the project and the geographic location of the project. Here are some of the methods designers use:

• Fixed fee (or flat fee) - The designer identifies a specific sum to cover costs, exclusive of reimbursement for expenses. One total fee applies to the complete range of services, from conceptual development through layouts, specifications and final installation.
• Hourly fee - Compensation is based on actual time expended by the designer on a project or specific service.
• Cost plus markup - A designer purchases materials, furnishings and services (e.g., carpentry, drapery workrooms, picture framing, etc.) at cost and sells to the client at the designer's cost, plus a specified percentage agreed to with the client to compensate for the designer’s time and effort.

Often designers use a combination of methods, such as hourly fees and cost plus markup. Markups may sound scary but they can actually save you money. Essentially, the designer is sharing a part of their trade discount with you, which means you are paying less than the retail cost.

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.

How to Select a Designer
There are many things that go into selecting a designer besides just liking their style. It’s important to find a designer who has experience in the type of project you are doing. Also, make sure the designer has time for your project - there's nothing worse than a project that drags on and on. Before hiring anyone, make sure you have a clear understanding of how they charge for their services as well as what your budget expectations are.

Some of the most important elements in the client / designer relationship are trust, respect and a commitment from both sides. It’s a good idea to set up face-to-face interviews with several designers before you make your final decision. Interviewing several designers will give you a better perspective on how different designers work. You'll be spending a lot of time with your designer, so it would be good if you liked each other and were able to exchange ideas and needs comfortably. And ask for references!

Web Resources

• Working With a Designer from This Old House
  Learn all you need to know about finding and working with an interior designer in this article.
• Insider Tips on Working With an Interior Decorator from the Huffington Post
  Advice on how to get the most out of your relationship with your decorator.