Moments You'll Thank Yourself for Hiring An Interior Designer
- Nancy Lane
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
If you ask most people what they think the biggest perk of hiring an interior designer is, I'm fairly certain they’d say something to the effect of having someone create a beautiful space all done for you, fully finished and completely styled. Truth is, it’s all that and more! In today's post, we're sharing seven exact moments you'll thank yourself for hiring an interior designer.
As part of our client onboarding process, we actually ask potential clients what their biggest fear is in hiring a designer. We’ve had clients share their worries that without expert help they’ll waste time and money making expensive mistakes either by over- or under-thinking design decisions. Some know enough to know that not knowing the right order or process for a design project could affect the overall outcome of their project while others worry about the multitude of available choices and admit they are overwhelmed by all the decisions that need to be made even before the project starts. Bottom line they worry that when all is said and done they won’t accomplish their ultimate goal of having a home that’s comfortable, stylish and cohesive.
And honestly, it makes sense. As an interior designer, I know firsthand that we bring unique expertise and experience to the table, creating spaces that are not only gorgeous and warm and inviting but also tailored to each client’s specific goals and needs plus their own individual preferred style.
As members of the design community, we have access to trade-only furniture and decor options that the average homeowner doesn't. And, we use specialized tools and software to create detailed drawings, specs, and renderings—these enable us to communicate the design vision to our clients AND the trim carpenters, fabricators, installers, and contractors.
Our knowledge goes beyond aesthetics, covering things like building codes, construction systems, materials, lighting, and finishes to ensure every detail is just right.
This is why it’s very common for our clients to breathe a deep sigh of relief, and tell us, “There is NO way I could have done all of this without you!” “I am SO glad we hired you!” These are the moments when most clients truly recognize the value of having an interior designer involved in their project from the beginning—those critical points in the project where expertise, vision, and guidance make all the difference.
Moments you'll thank yourself for hiring an interior designer:
01 | When We Guide you Through the Interior Design Process
We follow a clear tried and true process throughout the execution of a design project. After 10+ years of running my own interior design firm, I’ve been through this many times!A homeowner, on the other hand, may never have done a remodeling or furnishings project, or maybe they’ve only done a major home project once or twice in their lifetime.
How much will my project cost?
How long will it take?
Where or how do we get started?
These are just a few questions homeowners typically have about the interior design process.
Our goal with each of our clients is to communicate how everything will unfold, and guide them along the way. This puts our clients’ anxiety at rest and allows them to actually enjoy the experience.
02 | When We Gather Details About Your Project Goals
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed trying to figure out what’s important, what needs attention, and what might get overlooked. “Will this detail matter?” “I had no idea this decision would affect that!” or “Wow, I never would’ve thought of that!” are all common thoughts during the kick-off stage of an interior design project.
We know the right questions to ask and will document every detail, so nothing slips through the cracks. No surprises down the road like, “Wait, you’re a left handed cook? How did I miss that?!” or “Wait! You’re allergic to feathers?” Our clients can rest easy knowing they won’t lose sleep over "What ifs." We know just what to ask to ensure things aren’t overlooked during the information-gathering process that might lead to issues down the road.
03 | When You See Your Design Presentation
The design presentation is the one of the funnest, most exciting parts of a project for our clients. We’ve asked and you’ve answered, providing us with your personal wants and needs for your spaces. Measurements have been taken. Project goals have been documented. Our design team has been busy working our magic behind the scenes. We start with design concepts to make sure we’re all on the same page before proceeding to the full and final design plan presentation. We’ll share with you the full design scheme which, depending on your project’s particular scope of work, could include floor plans, elevation drawings, material samples, and room renderings. And it blows you away!!! You'll see it but you can’t believe this will be YOUR home!
A lot of people who work with interior designers say they never could have come up with the overall design on their own. And that’s probably true! As designers, we know a lot about what works in a space, and are really good at creating a design that’s perfect for you and your home.
04 | When Construction or Installation Begins
If your project involves construction, you’ll likely experience stress like no other. Noise, dust, chaos, upheaval. Even if your project doesn’t include hammers and nails, there will be a lot going on and we know that it can be very disruptive to your daily life. But when you have an experienced design professional on your side and collaborating with your general contractor and ensuring the design is being implemented properly, you can rest easy knowing that everything is proceeding as smoothly as it should. You’ll also have an advocate who can help make decisions when issues come up or changes happen on the fly.
05 | Every Time A Question Comes Up During The Process
Interior design projects don't always go as smoothly as planned. Sometimes unexpected questions come up, or unknowns weren’t planned for ahead of time that you couldn’t possibly know until sheetrock is removed or a wall is demo’d. Since construction and design have to happen step by step, it’s inevitable that at least one question or issue often has to be solved before the next part can move forward.
For example, the contractor or carpenter may have a question. Do you want the trim pieces to extend all the way over to here? Should the crown molding die into the corner or stop short? Other times it might be a question from the electrician. What hanging height do you want this pendant? What spacing do you want for this grout line? Or maybe it is a furniture positioning question: How far do you want the coffee table to be placed from the front edge of the sofa?
These questions can be absolutely paralyzing for homeowners. You only have ONE chance to get it right, and you don’t want to end up with a solution that doesn’t work or doesn’t look good or that you have to pay to have ripped out and re-installed later. But interior designers know exactly what to do or they’ll use their mad skills or work with other team members to figure it out. We’ve handled all these details before and know the best solutions. When you have an interior designer, you won’t have to stress about these decisions—your designer will be by your side to help navigate them.
06 | The Big Reveal Day When You See Your Home's Transformation
The best part of the whole project! And you’ll get to enjoy it at your leisure because your designer has taken care of everything, made sure all the best selections were made, handled all the purchasing and logistics and tracking, then arranged for all the parts and pieces to be delivered and set up perfectly in your home.
People who try to do it all themselves often feel unsure about every little thing. They might wonder, "Should I have picked a bigger sofa? Would a sectional have been better? Is that picture too low on the wall? Is this rug too small? Did I pick the right paint color?" “Something feels off but I have no clue what it is!?!” They can’t really enjoy their new space because they keep second-guessing everything.
But with an experienced designer, you don’t have to worry. You know your designer is making all the right choices because they have the experience and know exactly what works. Plus, designers consider a wider range of options and vendors, trades, and craftspeople than you might have access to.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by your design project, remember that having the right person in your corner can make all the difference.
07 | When Family & Friends Visit
You’ll thank yourself for hiring an interior designer when friends and family visit and feel like they walked into a warm, welcoming atmosphere as they settle into your new comfy furniture and secretly wish they could move right in.
Reach out here to schedule a chat and learn more about how we can help you with your own dream home project.
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