A genius decor idea strikes you when reading a magazine or looking online… and you simply can’t live another day with those dilapidated window coverings, or that uncomfortable old sofa, or the ravaged kitchen cabinets.  It’s time to update!  The thought of a better home environment can be really exciting, but the coordination of putting all the parts and pieces together can be time consuming and a bit overwhelming.

Often homeowners have excellent ideas when it comes to design, yet they might not have the resources, time, or ability to put it all together and have it come to fruition in a comfortable, functional and aesthetically pleasing way.

When you have lots of good ideas, but you don’t know how to select the best one for your home or your style, interior designers are essential… or you want a home (or room) makeover but don’t know exactly where to start.  Designers can be a great resource when it comes to taking ideas and making them become your reality in your home.  Here are six points for you to carefully consider.

1. Designers Have Connections

Interior design isn’t a hobby: it’s a business, albeit a creative one, with the goal of making money.  To that end, most designers have learned what resources will function properly, what will last, and what will translate into a homeowner that’s satisfied with the end product.

Networking is a big part of any successful business, so learn what organizations your designer belongs, and he/she took their training.  The industry has regular upgrades and inventions, so ask how many educational events your potential designer has attended in the last six months.  Designers who have been in the trade for years will know where to go for the best floor tile, cabinets, furniture… the list goes on and on.  The products that they can purchase are often unique to the trade- not something that the public can even access unless you go through a designer.  If you are looking for a fabulous faux painter, a staircase fabricator or a unique granite slab for your kitchen countertops, a good designer will know where to go to find that specialty item for you.

2. Share Your Budget

What’s your budget for the space?  Home owners often tend to want to hedge on this (as it seems like a very personal question) but it’s vital that you’re honest and forthright with this question.  It’s very easy to get carried away and exceed spending limits. By discussing your budget with your interior designer you will have someone else in your corner to help you plan accordingly so you can get the end results you desire.

3. Your Tastes and Preferences

When you get ready to work on a project, be honest with yourself and the designer. If you don’t get along or feel that the designer’s approach is too radical or too conservative, then speak up! After all, it is your space and your money, and you’re the one who will reap the result of the interior that you are changing.

You need to respect the designer’s education and experience, but you don’t have to feel like you have to “go with” every one of the designer’s selections if you don’t share the same opinion of those choices. Go slowly at first to make sure you have the right pro on your team. Once you feel comfortable and everyone knows the plan, move ahead!

4. Consultations

We have all been inside someone’s home that was a design nightmare.  You may even consider yourself the “Design Disaster” poster child!  As you read this, you might be saying, “Not everyone has the budget to spend tens of thousands of dollars on interior design.” News flash: Often you can often spend an equal amount and get highly desirable results. It is worth $300-500 to find out what it might cost to redo a room or perhaps an entire house? You might be able to get an interior designer to come and consult with you for just an hour or two for this amount of money. You might be surprised by what you can do! There are affordable alternatives that many designers know about.

5. New Construction

Are you thinking of building a new home soon? If so, you really need to get an interior designer involved early in the planning process. This individual will add lots of expertise to your design choices, and the result will be worth every penny you’ve spent.

Designers often work with architects. The combination of talents can produce spectacular results. Interior designers can offer much with respect to the final fit and finish of rooms and how they relate to each other with respect to shape, transitions, functions, color and texture.  (The list could go on and on!) Budget some money for the services of an interior designer on your upcoming new home project.

6. Are Interior Decorators and Designers the Same?

Let us make a distinction between decorators and designers.  Decorators can be very talented. Many have experience with colors, wallpapers, and other finishes used to decorate a house. These are fine qualities.

Interior designers take these talents and enhance them using their training, usually having college degrees in design. A decorator rarely – if ever – has the extensive training that accompanies an interior design degree.  If you just want help selecting a sofa and throw pillows, then you might do fine working with a decorator, although they may charge an equal amount to a designer. However, if you want to make structural changes, or even create a balanced and inviting space for your flooring, furniture, wall treatments, appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, paints, interior trim, etc. into a cohesive space, you’d better hire a designer!

“Interior design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about finding creative design solutions for interior environments while supporting the health, safety and well being of occupants and enhancing their quality of life.”    https://www.idcanada.org 

In conclusion

Do you want your family and friends to walk into your home and say, “Wow!  This space is gorgeous!” Or do you want them to say, “I see you redecorated.”  It can truly make that much difference!Check out our newly designed website at TFI.design if you need professional help in designing your space.  Remember, we convert ordinary spaces into extraordinary places!