Have you ever hired an interior designer?

7 years ago

Getting professional help to pull together a design scheme can be a godsend, as not everyone knows how to match different colours, or what material goes with what. And what about sourcing products in the first place - it's a jungle out there!

But many homeowners are worried about the price tag that comes with hiring an interior designer. Even though there are price points for everyone these days.

If you've hired an interior designer, I'd love to hear about your experience. And if you never enlisted someone I'd like to hear your reasons for that, too.

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Featured Answer

Claire Nicholson

7 years ago

Hi JA,

We have two dogs and have just moved to a house that requires renovation including structural from top to bottom (and it's 5 bedrooms and 3 floors)

We hired Gina from Create Perfect (on here) and she's been absolutely amazing.

She prevented us from spending a fortune in unnecessary extensions and showed us how to reconfigure our space through working with a structural engineer to get the space we needed without extending.

We were given 3D images of different layouts and floor plans with advantages and disadvantages of each to help us visualise and prioritise what was important to us.

She created 3D images of all of our rooms and even shopping lists of the suggested items we should buy. (I've attached a few pics to try and show you what sort of thing you get)

She was available 24/7 literally and was more help than I could ever have imagined beforehand.

The cost was remarkably reasonable and a fraction of what we're spending on the house. We also benefitted hugely from here trade discounts, which she was happy to pass on.

A good designer with me a huge help not only with decorating schemes but the plans and layout for your house, they will also put a high emphasis on what you need and design around it (including pets) so you get a house that fits your lifestyle and doesn't just look like a show room.

Best decision I could possibly have made to hire Gina (Create Perfect in here) and can't recommend highly enough the advantages of getting a good designer on board; it made the whole process fun too!

Pick the right person and they will be a pleasure to work with and super respectful of your budget and lifestyle.

Good luck with your project

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Comments (11)

User
7 years ago
Not an independent, but a store designer from Laura Ashley (£100 for a two room consultation). I'd never used one before and we had recently moved in to our new home. I've usually got a very strong vision of what I want, but there was one room that completely stumped me. It's double-height, has a gallery walkway and the main staircase, which dominates the room. It's got beams everywhere and I had no idea where to start. It had to stay white for practical reasons and we had no furniture to put in it, so had to start from scratch. The designer turned up with her samples and I was actually pleasantly surprised at the experience. She showed me materials that I wouldn't normally have looked twice at, but also listened to me and managed to hit upon 'my style' at the same time. I eventually ordered upholstery, curtains and cushions, plus a couple of lamps and a side table and have since mixed with things that I've picked up myself once I had a basis from which to evolve the look. I can't say the ordering and delivery went as smoothly as it could have, but we did eventually get there. I can't post a picture at the moment because it's got all the furniture from the other downstairs room currently being renovated :) I would use one again, an independent this time, perhaps just for a second set of eyes. They can certainly see things that you hadn't thought of and in my case reassure me that some of the ideas I'd had, but was afraid to try, would work.
Danielle Garber
7 years ago
I'm trying out my second online designer. The first was cheap but wasn't hugely successful - I was hoping they would add to my vision and be a bit more creative than I could have been, but the result looked like it's been picked from a habitat catalogue and I felt like I could have just done it myself in the end.

I'll let you know how the second online designer fares - I only sent them the brief on Sunday. I'm assured their designers are far more experienced than the one I had previously, so we'll see.

I've been put off approaching a traditional interior designer as I think our budget wouldn't be interesting enough for them. It's not tiny by all means but most of the ones I've found only list projects that are over £50,000 and ours is considerably less.
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ksgrant . . . . . I was on a very tight budget, but knew I was going to hit a wall and need a designer consult. I had space plan drawings for my kitchen and used the design services (free w/ cabinet purchase, CAD) to complete the space. I also had very specific inspiration photos that reflected the same perspective as the space, i.e. window placement over sink (light), position of appliances, prep sink. I paid close attention to how I intended to use the space, needed prep space for a least three cooks. I read a lot about the "triangle". Mostly I spent a lot of time with the plans and considering materials in relation to the inspiration photos. For instance, I wanted soapstone but it was out of budget and went with honed black granite to get the same look. Another example is that I wanted the kitchen to have some of the same elements as the old one to reflect the period of the house, so I had venting added to cabinet piece in front of the sink. Houzz was not available at the time, I would have posted some plans/materials here for more input and suggestion. Feel free to email me at tirgoddess.com for any other questions, happy to help. More than anything, take your time and do your research.
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My husband trusts me and prefers I make all those decisions. That said I always ask his opinion on large pieces. If I left it all to him he would lose interest before finishing! Design is so not his thing. But then I'm not interested in documentaries on outer space or Lego.... Best we stick to our own interests I think! ;)
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Hi Emmeline, when we started Ensoul, we looked at the key challenges a home owner faces when looking to renovate their property which were primarily Space Planning, Interior Design, Architectural Design and Project Management/Procurement. We then built a company with a set of people with the relevant and deep skills to address these challenges. There is then the question you raised about "if you were starting out, how would you get these skills" and i think there are two points of view on this. Firstly, if you look at a parallel with the catering world, some of the world's best chefs are self taught, some have been trained by the best Chefs to learn their craft and some have combined both approaches with academic qualifications as well. So, there is no right answer, everyone's learning pathway will be different. However, there is one clear theme that i do see with every successful person i have had the pleasure to meet during my 30 years in business, and that is this, those people with a deep passion and an innate talent for something always rise to the top. I hope this helps, best regards, Mike Lander, Director, Ensoul (and a passionate project manager for over 25 years)
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We’re bringing back our popular competition that will grant someone with an eye for interior design a £150 voucher, as well as the chance to receive free Cult Furniture products for three months for you to style. So who and what are we looking for? We want to see a room that you’ve styled yourself, whether it’s your bedroom, a living room or the office. Think of your favourite space and show us you made your dreams a reality. It doesn’t have to be Cult Furniture pieces, in fact, we want an insight into your unique personality and creative vision no matter how many designers, styles and colours you mix! How does it all work? It’s simple, just send us an image of a room you styled. Don’t waste another minute. Get snapping! We can’t wait to see your favourite space. Any questions? Please email us with your queries at media@cultfurniture.com and we’ll get back to you. https://www.cultfurniture.com/blog/stylist-competition/
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PRO
JMW Interiors
7 years ago
Hi Danielle, Your comment that you think a traditional Interior designer would not be "interested" in your "small" budget is not true. I certainly work with a range of clients, some with budgets that are very limited and who use my fixed price service to get support. I enjoy the challenge of meeting all of their needs and have had good reviews from clients who feel I have helped them build confidence and direction to then progress things themselves within their budget and timescales.

I hope your online designer works out for you this time but please don't be afraid to ask a designer to call on you if you need help again in the future :-).
J A
7 years ago
We have just exchanged on our house which needs a full renovation and an extension. We are getting quotes from architects on the structural work and in my head I would like an interior designer to help but we are moving from a 1 bed flat to a 4 bed house - we have no furniture ! We have to buy everything from scratch and budget is a massive concern - I am not convinced that we could justify the expense of an interior designer or that they would be able to save us any money.

Also being in London I just think most designers would rather work with a bigger budget and from what I have seen from friends who have used them it was convenience rather than a lovely home that reflected the owners that was the end result.

Finally we have hairy cats with big, ugly litter trays and a lot of lovely rugs and things cannot work because of them.
peter_bond3
7 years ago
I have found a good interior designer can save you money since they can often identify better/cheaper solutions than the owner, have a "feel" for what will work which can stop you making costly mistakes and (as has been pointed out) can often obtain materials & services at lower prices because of their connections. Agree a clear budget or pay for their services by the hour. Even if you have an architect, in my view a good interior designer is money well spent.
karenjulmelville
7 years ago
I used Nikki Austin from Austin John in Oakham and I have to say she was an absolute god send. Hubby and I had very different ideas about the overall aesthetic which she somehow managed to blend beautifully. She project managed the whole thing while we were away with the children work was finished on time and within budget I can't rate her highly enough. I think good interior designers are able to see not only the aesthetic you are trying to get but also how you can gain maximum usage from your space and how you will use it as a family, plus I don't have to clean up all the dust!!
PRO
Bespoke and Beautiful Interiors
7 years ago
Hello

I only work for people who have real houses that they want to transform in to real homes. I always start with their budget, and try to create the best design possible that suits their taste and requirements. I don't encourage overspending on anything unless its a real Must Have...remember at all times, as an Interior designer I am there to help you achieve an individual look that reflects the real you, not a copy of someone else's house unless specifically requested. Good designs make your life and those around you easier as, ie if for a young family, materials, corners, safety features should be considered so rooms get used as you intended and by encouraging you to experiment with a colour I can make spaces seem lighter, larger, cosier or dramatic... I also have tried and tested suppliers who have quality products at sensible prices, you don't have to pay a fortune for beautiful unique pieces.

So go on, call me and find out how I could help you refurbish your house, afterall they are our biggest investment and I want yours to be Bespoke & Beautiful.

Nicki x
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
Hi AJ,
The budget really isn't something to be concerned about.. everyone has one and as long as you know it that's our job to work around.
Same with the cats! Let us worry about that. I know lots of great rugs that work well with animals and can even be hosed down to keep them fresh!
What's most important is that you get the space you need and on budget. If you're happy then that's the main thing.. well to me anyway.. I can't talk for other interior designers.
I think if you're going to be purchasing for your new home too then for a couple hundred pounds you can be pointed in the right direction and just take a little longer to get a few of the furniture pieces.. it will be worth it in the long run.
Many interior designers offer free consultations so no harm in booking a few and getting a feel for what's on offer and how they can help.
All the best what ever you decide to do. Enjoy your new home.
PRO
Nicola Scannell Design and Property
7 years ago
People underestimate the number of decisions they need to make when they are refurbishing their homes. That is when mistakes are made because without experience it is easy to become project weary and miss essential decisions. The result is often they end up with sockets in the wrong place or having to get things changed. That costs time and money and could be avoided. I always aim to save my clients money, prevent them making mistakes and take away stress so far from being unaffordable someone thinking of renovating would save money and time with me.
PRO
Circle Automation - Home Technology
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago

Many projects we work on also have interior designers instructed and the end result is always a project that is well thought out, reflects the client's tastes, but takes the design to a level that is usually beyond the client's initial imagination. In our experience interior designers are a valuable asset to any project, bringing a wealth of knowledge and sourcing ability and one that the client never regrets investing in.

Have you ever hired an interior designer?

Claire Nicholson

Comments (11)

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Danielle Garber

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