Why You Shouldn’t Hire An Interior Designer
This may come as a shock coming from an interior designer, but full-service interior design is not for everyone.
Having a beautiful home that fits your style and budget IS for everyone, but that doesn't mean that you need to hire an interior designer. In fact, there are certain types of people who should save their coins and apply them elsewhere. Keep reading to find out who...
You Love to Shop
If scouring the aisles at HomeGoods is your favorite weekend ritual, good for you! You may be a person who has a stack of catalogs delivered to your mailbox on a regular basis. You are thrilled to see the latest offerings from top home furnishing stores like Pottery Barn and West Elm. Both of those stores are awesome and offer free design services clients for their customers, and this may be a great option for you! These in-store selections enable you to get your shopping fix and design input at the same time. Working with a designer is more like dining in a 5-star restaurant; you place your order and the chef works his magic in the kitchen before serving your meal. You don't see every detail of how he made it happen, even though the menu described what you would come to taste. Similarly, when a designer presents their design concept, we do not expect for clients to shop for the "ingredients." If you would prefer to mix up your cake yourself, then perhaps you shouldn't hire an interior designer.
YOUR BEST OPTION: Have a consultation with a designer who can send you to the right sources for your next shopping adventure.
You Have Tons of Free Time
Designing, sourcing, renovating, procuring goods, and installing any space takes a LOT of time. You may delight in this challenge, and dedicate all of your free time to doing just that. Moreover, you may be someone who has taken the time to educate yourself on the technical software that designers use to document and illustrate their designs. Interior designers spend countless hours staying up to date on the latest product offerings and continuing education. We take a substantial amount of time attending workshops, markets, and courses to be sure that we can provide you with the most appropriate solutions. If you have tons of free time that you can dedicate to doing the same, then perhaps you don't need an interior designer.
YOUR BEST OPTION: Consider a virtual consultation with an interior designer who can fill in the gaps where you need it from the comfort of your computer.
You're Not Ready to Make the Investment
If you haven't taken the time to think about how much you would like to invest into your home, you probably shouldn't be hiring an interior designer. Although having a beautiful home is something that everyone can achieve on ANY budget, working with a designer is making a choice to hire a professional. When you go to the dentist, you expect to pay dentist fees. The same goes for an interior designer! We love what we do but that doesn't negate the fact that we are business professionals providing both an experience for our clients and an expertly tailored end product. When you're ready to invest in the total package of full-service design, hiring an interior designer can yield an amazing ROI.
YOUR BEST OPTION: Save your coins and when you're ready, give me a call. I promise your experience will be worth the wait!
You're a Control Freak
Sorry, not sorry. Working with a designer requires a measure of trust that a homeowner has to be able to give. Designers have your budget, your lifestyle needs, and your timeline at the very top of their priority list. The advantage of working with a designer is that we juggle all the many pieces that need to be coordinated to actualize the results you want. For us to do that, you have to let go! As the saying goes, too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the broth. Yes, the process will be collaborative, but you have to allow yourself to rest in the fact that your designer's got the big picture handled.
YOUR BEST OPTION: Empower yourself first with an custom-curated design plan + online shop with an e-design package.
You're a DIY'er
When hiring an interior designer for a renovation project or a full-service design project, we never expect the client to lift a finger. That means everything from the shopping to the deliveries, to the installation is left up to us. Interior designers come with a team of trusted tradespeople to execute expertly crafted results. If you would prefer to do it yourself, then hiring an interior designer may not be the best fit for you. Fortunately, many designers (me included!) provide e-design services where we provide a detailed design plan for you to implement yourself! That allows you to flex your DIY muscles and save a few coins too. It is important to identify how you would like to work with a designer in your first conversations to avoid confusion later.
YOUR BEST OPTION: Tap into designer tips + exclusive discounts with a plan prepared just for you.
You're Too Attached to Ugly Things
Yep, I said it! Some of you are holding on to things that just don't belong in your home anymore. I know it has sentimental value, or you paid a pretty penny for it 20 years ago but sis, it's gotta go! Interior designers can do some amazing things with your existing beautiful furniture, art and accessories. But we cannot work magic on the things that just simply do not fit your current design goals. If you prefer to hold on to grandma's vintage quilt and papa's dusty recliner, then working with an interior designer may not be for you.
YOUR BEST OPTION: Allow a designer to help you edit and enhance what you have so that you can live your best life! Let's chat.
Did you see yourself in these reasons? If you did, that's ok! The beauty of the design industry today is that there are so many ways that you CAN work with a designer. Although full-service interior design may not be the best option for you today, I encourage you to seek out a design service that both suits your personality and the beautiful home you desire.
