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How to Get Interior Design Help for Projects and Budgets Big and Small
Overwhelmed by your latest project and dreaming of interior design help? Check out the many options for this increasingly accessible service
As any homeowner will know, tackling an interior design project, whether a new bathroom or a whole house redo plus extension, can be tough and stressful. All those decisions, finding the right contractors, understanding the differences between a range of materials and finishes, as well as knowing where to source the products you need can all easily overwhelm. If only you could afford to pay someone to grapple with it all for you, or find someone who’d simply give you some shopping tips or advice on picking colours… Well, perhaps you can.
These days, there are numerous options for different types of interior design help, as well as solutions for every budget, ranging from specialist interior design companies and individuals to services available from design experts at some shops, as well as a new breed of personal and professional online solutions. Most important of all, getting the right advice could also help you to swerve expensive mistakes, saving you thousands of pounds. Here’s a range of different ways to get the design help you need.
These days, there are numerous options for different types of interior design help, as well as solutions for every budget, ranging from specialist interior design companies and individuals to services available from design experts at some shops, as well as a new breed of personal and professional online solutions. Most important of all, getting the right advice could also help you to swerve expensive mistakes, saving you thousands of pounds. Here’s a range of different ways to get the design help you need.
….they can save you money
Whether you’re revamping a mansion or one snug living room, remember, a professional designer can help you to avoid expensive mistakes. “Interior designers usually end up saving their clients money through their product knowledge and clever sourcing,” says Rumbold.
Don’t forget, you’re paying for expertise and knowledge. A professional designer is trained to understand how colour, mood, lighting and texture transform a home’s atmosphere. “Interior designers offer a host of things clients may struggle to do themselves. We can layer on technical stuff, such as lighting, power and heating, and specify all finishes and furnishings to an agreed budget,” says Rumbold.
Your overall budget will doubtless impact on what level of service you want – and every company offers slightly different things. A traditional interior designer advises on colour, soft furnishings (rugs, curtains etc), furniture and accessories. Some will also reconfigure layouts, shop for furnishings and materials and install everything. Others are happy to manage decorators and other professionals for you.
Most importantly, whatever your budget, choose someone who ‘gets’ your likes and look – and with whom you can work.
Search for an interior designer using the Houzz professional directory. You can also find approved designers on the BIID website register.
Whether you’re revamping a mansion or one snug living room, remember, a professional designer can help you to avoid expensive mistakes. “Interior designers usually end up saving their clients money through their product knowledge and clever sourcing,” says Rumbold.
Don’t forget, you’re paying for expertise and knowledge. A professional designer is trained to understand how colour, mood, lighting and texture transform a home’s atmosphere. “Interior designers offer a host of things clients may struggle to do themselves. We can layer on technical stuff, such as lighting, power and heating, and specify all finishes and furnishings to an agreed budget,” says Rumbold.
Your overall budget will doubtless impact on what level of service you want – and every company offers slightly different things. A traditional interior designer advises on colour, soft furnishings (rugs, curtains etc), furniture and accessories. Some will also reconfigure layouts, shop for furnishings and materials and install everything. Others are happy to manage decorators and other professionals for you.
Most importantly, whatever your budget, choose someone who ‘gets’ your likes and look – and with whom you can work.
Search for an interior designer using the Houzz professional directory. You can also find approved designers on the BIID website register.
Head online
Sites such as the award-winning My Bespoke Room are a smart new way to access affordable, professional interior design support without leaving your laptop. Charging from £95 per room, experienced designers Diana and Laura will help you to visualise and create your own personal ‘virtual moodboard’.
If the idea of spending Saturday afternoons perusing flooring shops or soft furnishings departments brings you out in a cold sweat, fear not – they’ll email you a shopping list tailored to meet your brief and budget.
Sites such as the award-winning My Bespoke Room are a smart new way to access affordable, professional interior design support without leaving your laptop. Charging from £95 per room, experienced designers Diana and Laura will help you to visualise and create your own personal ‘virtual moodboard’.
If the idea of spending Saturday afternoons perusing flooring shops or soft furnishings departments brings you out in a cold sweat, fear not – they’ll email you a shopping list tailored to meet your brief and budget.
See in 3D
Colour is often key when it comes to interior design. And paint behemoth Dulux now offer an Amazing Space service to help with all elements of a design project. If you’re struggling with how to transform your new living room or bedroom, they can provide an online design consultation service for £75.
First you answer questions to help ascertain your brief; then you get a 30 minute online consultation with a Dulux design specialist. Finally, you get an interactive shopping list, plus a floor plan and 3D room visualisation, so you can imagine how your room will look.
See 10 ways to bring autumn colour into your home
Colour is often key when it comes to interior design. And paint behemoth Dulux now offer an Amazing Space service to help with all elements of a design project. If you’re struggling with how to transform your new living room or bedroom, they can provide an online design consultation service for £75.
First you answer questions to help ascertain your brief; then you get a 30 minute online consultation with a Dulux design specialist. Finally, you get an interactive shopping list, plus a floor plan and 3D room visualisation, so you can imagine how your room will look.
See 10 ways to bring autumn colour into your home
Investigate in-store
If keeping it simple and getting everything in one place appeals, then this option could be for you. John Lewis is just one department store that offers interior design consultations. Its Home Design Service has two tiers: you can either book a free, in-store appointment for help and inspiration for minor changes or a room refresh, or choose a more thorough home consultation for £200, redeemable against made-to-order purchases.
Other stores that offer similar services include Laura Ashley. Its design service kicks off with a home consultation, where an interior designer will listen to your ideas and bring along swatches, catalogues and sample books. The service covers the UK, Ireland and Europe and costs £100 for two rooms and £200 for larger projects.
If keeping it simple and getting everything in one place appeals, then this option could be for you. John Lewis is just one department store that offers interior design consultations. Its Home Design Service has two tiers: you can either book a free, in-store appointment for help and inspiration for minor changes or a room refresh, or choose a more thorough home consultation for £200, redeemable against made-to-order purchases.
Other stores that offer similar services include Laura Ashley. Its design service kicks off with a home consultation, where an interior designer will listen to your ideas and bring along swatches, catalogues and sample books. The service covers the UK, Ireland and Europe and costs £100 for two rooms and £200 for larger projects.
Seek an extended design service
Perhaps you have a decent budget and need expert insight to ensure you spend it prudently. In this instance, you might be looking for a company that can offer an interior design vision, but also advise on and help to implement bigger structural and layout changes. Many designers work closely with builders and architects – do your research and find out what level of service and knowledge local designers offer, and whether they can match your particular demands.
Many companies will assist with a broad range of projects. Sigmar, for example, will design bespoke furniture as well as offering standard interior design advice on colour, lighting and furnishings. In addition, it offers a full installation service to help every picture and curtain rail be just so.
Temple Blake is another company providing an extended design service. It will help you to plan and design anything from a loft extension to a bathroom refurb from start to finish.
Also hunt around for niche experts. Ace Your Space, for instance, is experienced at transforming awkward or teeny-tiny spaces, and can advise on everything from space planning and smart storage to Building Regulations.
Check out 12 ideas for loft conversions to suit your budget
Perhaps you have a decent budget and need expert insight to ensure you spend it prudently. In this instance, you might be looking for a company that can offer an interior design vision, but also advise on and help to implement bigger structural and layout changes. Many designers work closely with builders and architects – do your research and find out what level of service and knowledge local designers offer, and whether they can match your particular demands.
Many companies will assist with a broad range of projects. Sigmar, for example, will design bespoke furniture as well as offering standard interior design advice on colour, lighting and furnishings. In addition, it offers a full installation service to help every picture and curtain rail be just so.
Temple Blake is another company providing an extended design service. It will help you to plan and design anything from a loft extension to a bathroom refurb from start to finish.
Also hunt around for niche experts. Ace Your Space, for instance, is experienced at transforming awkward or teeny-tiny spaces, and can advise on everything from space planning and smart storage to Building Regulations.
Check out 12 ideas for loft conversions to suit your budget
Be a modern planner
If visualising your space is what you need, OnePlan is another good example of the new generation of forward-thinking design services now available to homeowners. Billed as a ‘concept design service’, it specialises in supplying plans and realistic CAD drawings that you could hand to your builder and say, “I want it like that!”
It’s a way to really visualise and plan possible changes in your home, and means you can give builders and project managers a clear vision of what you want. It also means you can more easily get quotes from a number of builders, and find out who’s best for the job.
OnePlan charges from £35 per hour for hourly rate projects, or from £225 to £675 per room (larger rooms or a collection of rooms may be more).
If visualising your space is what you need, OnePlan is another good example of the new generation of forward-thinking design services now available to homeowners. Billed as a ‘concept design service’, it specialises in supplying plans and realistic CAD drawings that you could hand to your builder and say, “I want it like that!”
It’s a way to really visualise and plan possible changes in your home, and means you can give builders and project managers a clear vision of what you want. It also means you can more easily get quotes from a number of builders, and find out who’s best for the job.
OnePlan charges from £35 per hour for hourly rate projects, or from £225 to £675 per room (larger rooms or a collection of rooms may be more).
Go DIY
Do you broadly know your likes and dislikes, but are seeking a guiding hand when it comes to implementing them? DecorBuddy represents another of the smart new generation of interior designers that understand we don’t all want, need or have the budget for huge amounts of advice. Instead, its philosophy is ‘bite-sized’ –it offers starter sessions for an affordable £195, with optional follow-ups charged by the hour.
The approach here is DIY – meaning the client stays at the centre of the process (rather than the designer taking control).
Think of it as you, doing your house up, but with someone else alongside you helping the decision-making process, so it doesn’t seem so scary. As they say, “You stay in control of the look, timings and budget, with just the help you need.’”
DecorBuddy’s advice can include: choosing what to change and what to keep; advice on architectural plans and room layout; finding colours, fabrics and products to create your look; sourcing curtains, blinds, upholstery and other décor products; taking the project to completion.
Do you broadly know your likes and dislikes, but are seeking a guiding hand when it comes to implementing them? DecorBuddy represents another of the smart new generation of interior designers that understand we don’t all want, need or have the budget for huge amounts of advice. Instead, its philosophy is ‘bite-sized’ –it offers starter sessions for an affordable £195, with optional follow-ups charged by the hour.
The approach here is DIY – meaning the client stays at the centre of the process (rather than the designer taking control).
Think of it as you, doing your house up, but with someone else alongside you helping the decision-making process, so it doesn’t seem so scary. As they say, “You stay in control of the look, timings and budget, with just the help you need.’”
DecorBuddy’s advice can include: choosing what to change and what to keep; advice on architectural plans and room layout; finding colours, fabrics and products to create your look; sourcing curtains, blinds, upholstery and other décor products; taking the project to completion.
Consider a home-stager
Interior design isn’t just about what products you have, or the nuts and bolts of your room, it’s also about how you present them – which is where home-staging comes in. Home-stagers can literally approach your home as if they’re styling it for a photo or film shoot – and we all know how wonderfully enticing they can look.
Brighton-based Jasmine Orchard Styling styles private homes, as well as events such as weddings or sets and studios for photo shoots. This could be one to try if you have an extra special occasion coming up at home, too – plan for a party, then keep the look.
London-based Born & Bred Studio and Cheshire’s Girl About The House are two more talents offering home-staging as well as interior design.
Interior design isn’t just about what products you have, or the nuts and bolts of your room, it’s also about how you present them – which is where home-staging comes in. Home-stagers can literally approach your home as if they’re styling it for a photo or film shoot – and we all know how wonderfully enticing they can look.
Brighton-based Jasmine Orchard Styling styles private homes, as well as events such as weddings or sets and studios for photo shoots. This could be one to try if you have an extra special occasion coming up at home, too – plan for a party, then keep the look.
London-based Born & Bred Studio and Cheshire’s Girl About The House are two more talents offering home-staging as well as interior design.
Hire a stylist
This sits on the same spectrum as home-staging. Many big interiors companies hire top stylists for their brochures and product shoots and it’s easy to see why. Like fashion stylists, interiors stylists tend to have a signature style – and that enviable creative eye that turns simple items of furniture, accessories and stylish bits and pieces into appealing, aspirational room sets.
Some stylists are also moving into the home arena. You can hire talented bods such as Lucy Gough, who’ll happily undertake residential projects alongside commercial ones. A stylist is also likely to be up to the minute with the latest trends and moods, and know the very best secret shopping gems and bargain buys.
This sits on the same spectrum as home-staging. Many big interiors companies hire top stylists for their brochures and product shoots and it’s easy to see why. Like fashion stylists, interiors stylists tend to have a signature style – and that enviable creative eye that turns simple items of furniture, accessories and stylish bits and pieces into appealing, aspirational room sets.
Some stylists are also moving into the home arena. You can hire talented bods such as Lucy Gough, who’ll happily undertake residential projects alongside commercial ones. A stylist is also likely to be up to the minute with the latest trends and moods, and know the very best secret shopping gems and bargain buys.
Befriend a blogger
The world of interior design is evolving. More bloggers are using their style savvy, shopping know-how and existing audience to grow interior design services, allowing you to buy into their personal brand, too.
Star interior bloggers, such as writer Kate Watson-Smyth, who runs the popular Mad About The House blog, have moved into this field. Watson-Smyth’s sister site, Mad About Your House, is a styling business to help you find your look, or simply source the products you need but can’t locate.
Have you ever hired an interior designer? Share your experiences and thoughts in the Comments below.
The world of interior design is evolving. More bloggers are using their style savvy, shopping know-how and existing audience to grow interior design services, allowing you to buy into their personal brand, too.
Star interior bloggers, such as writer Kate Watson-Smyth, who runs the popular Mad About The House blog, have moved into this field. Watson-Smyth’s sister site, Mad About Your House, is a styling business to help you find your look, or simply source the products you need but can’t locate.
Have you ever hired an interior designer? Share your experiences and thoughts in the Comments below.
Don’t assume hiring a professional interior designer will cost an arm and a leg. Many are open to smaller projects and budgets, so if there’s someone whose style you love, it’s worth starting a conversation.
“It definitely doesn’t need to be a whole house,” says Susie Rumbold, president of the British Institute of Interior Design. “Most designers will happily provide advice for a small fee, so you can use them to just check the things you feel unsure about.”
Rates will vary according to where you live and what level of service you’re looking for, but as a rough guide, expect to pay from around £35 an hour; designers may also set a flat fee per room.
Look out for ‘mini-packages’, which can be a great way to dip your toe in. For example, Slightly Quirky (see this image) offers a two-hour consultation service for £250 for those who just want some pointers. Owl Design (see next photo) similarly offers a Flying Start service if you’re simply seeking inspiration, with options starting at £350.