Have you ever thought about working with an interior designer only to put it off due to feeling slightly confused about what their role involves and how they can even help you? You’re not alone.
In my role as a designer, this is a common question I am faced with and need to clarify for my clients. So let me break down a few common concerns you might have about working with an interior designer on your next renovation project.
Cost
“I don’t have the budget to hire an interior designer.” Speaking candidly, design is a luxury industry and, as a designer, my role is not to save you money or to offer you discounts. However, when factoring in costs, it is so important to consider the bigger picture. My role as a designer does involve me looking carefully at your budget in conjunction with your desired scope of works and helping you to use that budget to get the most bang for your buck. An interior designer should respect your budget and offer practical advice on the things you might be able to cut back on and where to splurge to ensure maximum return on investment.
Engaging an interior designer in the early planning process can also be a cost effective strategy as careful planning and professional expertise can help pick up any mistakes in the pre-construction phase and ultimately help you to avoid costly mistakes down the line.
When we are considering residential renovation projects you are investing in your future – make no mistake about it, property is an investment. Ultimately you want to be ensure that your return on investment is maximised. Carefully considered floor plans, layout and material selection can help to significantly increase the value of your home.
The Role of a Designer
What does a designer do? Well that’s a great question and to be honest, there is not a simple answer. In Australia, the design industry is unregulated, meaning you don’t technically need a qualification to call yourself an interior designer. An interior designer is also different to an interior stylist or decorator. Some might take on both roles but you’ll need to ask that question to the person you engage rather than assume it.
Typically, in Australia, an interior designer is responsible for the physical layout, function and overall look and feel of a space. They are trained to look at a space and understand what it needs to maximise its potential with respect to form, function and flow. Interior Designers are responsible with material selections, specifying fixtures and finishes, creating colour schemes, drawing joinery for cabinet makers and other relevant trades. They will help quote and organise window treatments and can design custom furniture where required. Most interior designers do not project manage. Project management requires a registered builder or someone with Project Management qualifications. They will liaise with your build team and ‘design manage’ to ensure things look the way they were intended too.
Interior styling or decorating is the the icing on the cake if you will. It is the dressing of a space and covers things like furniture procurement, paint colours and wall paper treatment, soft furnishing and art curation for example. The two roles can blur and merge but essentially they are different skill sets and it’s important to ensure the professional you work with can take on the specific requirements of your project.
You can read more about the services I offer here.
You want to do it yourself
If you relate to this, the maybe engaging an interior designer isn’t for you. However, I would still really encourage you to at the very minimum consult with a professional designer at the early planning stages of your project. Even sitting down for an hour with a designer will provide invaluable clarity and the confidence to put you in a great position to work on your project independently. During a consultation with myself, you can expect to receive:
- professional advice
- feed back on your floor plan
- practical ideas and solutions
- customised colour scheme
- mood board to help you guide your choices
- a design psychology report
You can book a standard consultation here.
Hopefully I’ve managed to provide some clarity around how working with an interior designer can benefit you. If you still have questions you can always book an obligation and cost free Discovery Call today.
Thanks for reading and here’s to making your dream home a reality.
The Anderson Projects would like to acknowledge the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and operate, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
