Renovating
Ask a Designer: Why Should I Use an Interior Designer?
Bursting with bright ideas and creative solutions, an interior designer may be the missing piece in your design project jigsaw
We watch the decorating shows on TV, use the internet to source everything from curtains to cups and love poring over a paint chart, so why should we still consider hiring an interior designer for our next house project? Celia James, who runs her own interior design company in London, explains the benefits of ditching the DIY and calling in a professional.
Tease out ideas
A good interior designer does not impose their own ideas on a project, rather they build on any ideas you have, however vague or outlandish! ‘Colour schemes and furniture styles are highly subjective and beauty is often in the eye of the beholder,’ says Celia, ‘but a professional can still help you make the most of any ideas and schemes you have in mind.’
A good interior designer does not impose their own ideas on a project, rather they build on any ideas you have, however vague or outlandish! ‘Colour schemes and furniture styles are highly subjective and beauty is often in the eye of the beholder,’ says Celia, ‘but a professional can still help you make the most of any ideas and schemes you have in mind.’
Respect the space
Interior design responds to the building’s architecture, use and age. ‘Any good interior designer will give consideration to the architectural integrity of the building when coming up with creative ideas,’ says Celia. The interior of this converted stables, for example, has been designed to allow the original features to take centre stage.
Interior design responds to the building’s architecture, use and age. ‘Any good interior designer will give consideration to the architectural integrity of the building when coming up with creative ideas,’ says Celia. The interior of this converted stables, for example, has been designed to allow the original features to take centre stage.
Work with any limitations
A trained interior designer will have bright ideas for every space in your house, from living room to laundry, but will also be able to work with any limitations. ‘This includes issues such as building regulations, plumbing restrictions and budget,’ says Celia.
A trained interior designer will have bright ideas for every space in your house, from living room to laundry, but will also be able to work with any limitations. ‘This includes issues such as building regulations, plumbing restrictions and budget,’ says Celia.
Get creative with space
A good designer will be a whizz at making use of space. ‘He or she will give consideration to anthropometrics (minimum space requirements necessary for everyday functioning) and building regulations to produce creative solutions,’ says Celia. ‘Sometimes, the results are truly ingenious.’ These drawers built into the stairs are a great example of an imaginative use of space.
Explore 10 ways to turn storage into a stylish feature
A good designer will be a whizz at making use of space. ‘He or she will give consideration to anthropometrics (minimum space requirements necessary for everyday functioning) and building regulations to produce creative solutions,’ says Celia. ‘Sometimes, the results are truly ingenious.’ These drawers built into the stairs are a great example of an imaginative use of space.
Explore 10 ways to turn storage into a stylish feature
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You may have a handful of favourite shops for homewares and furniture, but a designer will know hundreds more, from trade-only outlets to small-scale cushion makers. ‘Designers know what works and where to source it,’ says Celia. ‘They take the strain from you by doing all the editing before showing you a couple of options. This limits the amount of energy you need to put into the project.’
You may have a handful of favourite shops for homewares and furniture, but a designer will know hundreds more, from trade-only outlets to small-scale cushion makers. ‘Designers know what works and where to source it,’ says Celia. ‘They take the strain from you by doing all the editing before showing you a couple of options. This limits the amount of energy you need to put into the project.’
Understand your tastes
There are heaps of interior designers out there, so you should always be able to find someone who shares similar tastes to you, whether that’s ultra minimalist or colourfully retro, as here. Check out their previous projects to get an idea of their aesthetic. ‘Most interior designers can design in all types of style, but their work will always be informed by a personal aesthetic,’ says Celia. ‘You should look for somebody whose style reflects what you have in mind for your project.’
Discover how to choose and display art
There are heaps of interior designers out there, so you should always be able to find someone who shares similar tastes to you, whether that’s ultra minimalist or colourfully retro, as here. Check out their previous projects to get an idea of their aesthetic. ‘Most interior designers can design in all types of style, but their work will always be informed by a personal aesthetic,’ says Celia. ‘You should look for somebody whose style reflects what you have in mind for your project.’
Discover how to choose and display art
Work within budget
The client’s budget is one of the biggest drivers behind a project, and a good interior designer will always keep it in mind when coming up with ideas. ‘If your budget is inadequate, work with your designer towards achieving an alternative solution,’ says Celia. ‘Sometimes you can break the project down into stages and, if that isn’t possible, even reduce its scope.’ In this London apartment, existing furniture, including a huge chest, has been upcycled and given a new role, helping to keep costs down.
The client’s budget is one of the biggest drivers behind a project, and a good interior designer will always keep it in mind when coming up with ideas. ‘If your budget is inadequate, work with your designer towards achieving an alternative solution,’ says Celia. ‘Sometimes you can break the project down into stages and, if that isn’t possible, even reduce its scope.’ In this London apartment, existing furniture, including a huge chest, has been upcycled and given a new role, helping to keep costs down.
Push the envelope
It may take a little leap of faith, but when you trust your interior designer fully, your home will thank you for it. ‘Allow the designer to use all their creativity, practical knowledge and previous experience,’ says Celia. ‘If they have your permission to push the envelope, they will produce solutions you might not have come up with yourself.’
It may take a little leap of faith, but when you trust your interior designer fully, your home will thank you for it. ‘Allow the designer to use all their creativity, practical knowledge and previous experience,’ says Celia. ‘If they have your permission to push the envelope, they will produce solutions you might not have come up with yourself.’
Make savings
An interior designer will help you create a beautiful room or home, but they can also spare you a lot of heartache. ‘You benefit from the experience of a professional eye when it comes to aesthetics,’ says Celia, ‘but an interior designer will also prevent you making costly mistakes and save you a tremendous amount of time and stress.’
TELL US...
Have you used an interior designer before? What has your experience been? Share your experiences in the Comments below.
An interior designer will help you create a beautiful room or home, but they can also spare you a lot of heartache. ‘You benefit from the experience of a professional eye when it comes to aesthetics,’ says Celia, ‘but an interior designer will also prevent you making costly mistakes and save you a tremendous amount of time and stress.’
TELL US...
Have you used an interior designer before? What has your experience been? Share your experiences in the Comments below.
An interior designer will have trained for between three and five years at university, learning how to sketch out room schemes, put together mood boards and much more. ‘This teaches him or her how to communicate their ideas,’ says Celia. ‘This basic grounding together with experience enables an interior designer to come to any project better informed than most clients can expect to be.’