Should you hire an Interior Designer? Are you interested in good design? Want to add value to your space? Are you seeking someone to take the reins? As the principal of Melissa Hardwick Design, I can talk about how much I love my job, and the people that go with it! My clients want unique spaces, curated looks, quality that stands the test of time and trends. They value relationships and collaborations. My clients trust that when they sign on with me, they will receive amazing service, and can trust in the process.
My inspiration comes from my love of travel and architecture, my beautiful City of Vancouver, and my hobbies in photography, antique shopping and sourcing vintage!
Image: Kristen McGaughey
Should you hire an Interior Designer? Can you can relate to any of these scenarios?
- Do you have design ideas and styles you like, but don’t know where to begin, or how to achieve an overall look?
- Luxury looks in your home but no time to resource, research or manage details to put it all together?
- Have you downsized or upsized and need new furniture and don’t want to make costly mistakes?
- Are you looking for better flow and function in your space?
- Do you need help making decisions on where to invest and where to save in you home projects?
- Have you started projects on your own but lack the will and desire to finish?
Image: Studio McGee
Sound familiar? Let’s cover what an interior designer does: their value, when you should hire a designer and who should hire one. In my post here, I talk about how Design Consultation Services vary. But today, we focus on V A L U E.
*If you already know you want to hire a designer and are wondering about their process, check mine out here. Alternatively, you can schedule a call here.
Generally speaking, Interior Designers are involved in the design or the ‘guts’ of a home. The planning required to pull the details together and usually the placement of said details. Design Consultation Services can include but is not limited to choosing fixtures, finishes, paint colours, designing kitchens, bathrooms, modern house design, furniture layouts, window treatments, lighting and more. Designers will often complete projects with all the soft furnishings, like area rugs, home decor, art, cushions etc. This list can be quite extensive.
Reaching out to a Home Designer is your chance to have your dream space created. And ultimately, Interior Designers will create the right balance of elements (see my post) on the essentials, to provide the right aesthetic.
What can Interior Designers do?
So many things! But here’s a little list to be more specific:
- Problem solve or find solutions in areas that you may not have thought of.
- Customize all sorts of things- from furniture, to upholstery selection, to built-ins.
- Relationships with trade professionals that go beyond retail, to sourcing bespoke and handcrafted from local to international artisans.
- Curate and collect the myriad choices available for your specific needs and design aesthetic.
- Get the most value from your investment dollar in your design.
- Collaborate with and dream about your design vision and share all things design! #newbff
- Value Add for all of the time, money, and energy you will save having someone take care of everything for you- and you reap the rewards! #winwin
Image: Kristen McGaughey
How does an Interior Designer add value?
Designers will bring an experiential component to your project. The culmination of service, quality, level of design, relationships and a passion for what they do, and what they bring to the table is what I believe is value! In many ways, collaborating with an Interior Designer has the ability to show up in so many fine details. It’s in their eye for details and passion for design that goes beyond a shopping service or task list. Investment value well spent!
While some qualities are measurable, there are more intangible qualities that are not so easily quantified.
Vision – Interior Designers can see what CAN be done in spaces. They have the ability to show others through their tools of the trade (see this post), and they can visualize what a finished space will look like. They take their vision and effectively communicate to their clients and the relevant trades, how to make it all happen. Designers take ideas and turn them into reality, and they often have an uncanny ability to know when something is ‘perfect’ for a space. This creative process unfolds when various elements come together. Your final reveal feels like the perfect piece of furniture and best fabric selection, the right lighting, or paint colour and finish on the walls etc. It’s their art!
Space Planning – Interior Designers are experts in space planning. They know about scale and proportion and how to make things work together. This spatial awareness can be seen in familiar design rules like the golden triangle and/or groupings of three. Designers will sometimes alter the balance, bend these rules, and maybe stretch you out of your comfort zone!
Resource Library – Designers are a wealth of information – curating and collecting all the time! They attend conferences, trade shows, seminars, and classes. They stay current with innovative products, and are on top of the latest design trends. Interior Designers communicate with other professionals, and leverage their experience with others. Because Designers have a vast portfolio of working in many styles of homes, with many different people, they are able to bring past projects and experiences to every new project.
Should you hire an Interior Designer?
One of the most important elements to a successful client/design project is choosing the right person for the job. I highly recommend making sure that your values are in alignment- and that you are a good fit.
You may want to consider hiring an Interior Designer if you:
- Value an expert, their opinion and are not into DIY
- Have a busy career, and full schedule with no spare time
- Want to pursue own interests and hobbies- not managing the minutiae
- Are design savvy
- Appreciates the investment value in improving their home
- Looking for someone to collaborate with and values relationships and connection
- Seek to improve your home for both relaxation and entertainment
- Are a conscious consumer
When is the right time to hire an Interior Designer?
Ideally, the right time is at the beginning of your project. Considered design takes time. Forming a vision, creating a plan, and execution of these components works well when you understand the design process. See my design process here.
Image: Kristen McGaughey
The time may be right for you:
- If you are planning a major renovation or a new build – * the role of an Interior Designer will help you plan every detail to create the interior space you’ve dreamed of.
- If you require assistance with choosing your fixtures and finishes *Lighting is really important in the beginning…
- If you are moving, and desire a custom, curated look for either upsizing or downsizing.
- If you are doing a one room makeover at a time, and want a one-of-a-kind space.
- If you desire custom finishes, and require all new furniture and decor
PRO TIP: No worries if you have started a project, and realize that you need an Interior Designer. It’s really never too late! And, if you’re reading this, you are definitely on the right track!
Hopefully this post will have shown you the value of hiring an Interior Designer, whether you’re the right fit, and when you need one!
So, if you’re interested in working with me, or learning more, please reach out here for a Discovery call or to book a Consultation.
Melissa 🙂
