Why Hire an Interior Designer?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? I can see it now.  You are standing in the middle of your small, dark kitchen, looking over the peeled or damaged cabinets, the counters cluttered with all the stuff you wish you could put away but have no room for, and think to yourself,
“there has to be a better way to design this space.”
​
​Whether you are looking to upgrade your current space or start from scratch with a new home, the question still comes down to…  Do I need to hire an interior designer?

​I get that question a lot. At what point can you do it on your own, and when do you need a professional? There are a couple factors that go into any decision, and often times it’s the bank account choosing for you before you can even consider it. Obviously, designers don’t work for free. I get it, I truly do. But before you make the final decision, consider my few points of why investing in a designer is a valuable decision… even for your bank account. 

1. The Value in a Positive Experience

​A real estate website recently polled homeowners who completed new homes in the last couple years. They found that 88% of homeowners wished they had made different decisions and 59% of people felt stressed and anxious during the construction process. Source I am sure it comes as no surprise that construction and moving can be one of the most stressful times in our lives outside of marriage, health, and financial turmoil. It is a messy, long, and expensive process filled with sleepless nights, second guessing, and a laundry list of decisions that you have to make.

But what if we could wave a magic wand and get both an amazing design and keep your sanity?

​A good designer is the expert in your back pocket that will take the majority of weight off your shoulders. Using their knowledge and experience, they will guide you to make the best choices for your home and will help you know what to expect during each phase. Imagine sitting back and having someone take your thoughts and interpret them into your dream home. All you have to do is say, “yes, I like that,” or “no, show me something else.” A good designer will take what can be a really frustrating, scary process and make it a clear, enjoyable experience.

2. The Value in Good Design

Have you ever walked into an awkward space and thought,

“what was this person thinking?”

​I am going to let you in on a secret, sometimes they aren’t. Not everything built is actually well thought out. I have seen countless times (even in new construction) where a living room can’t fit normal sized furniture, a kitchen doesn’t have enough drawers, and a window was not centered on the wall. Those seem like obvious things, right? When it comes to construction, getting it built sometimes takes precedence over considering how people will want to use the space when it’s complete.

That is where a good designer comes in. We consider not just how it looks but how it functions. It’s all about you, the homeowner, and how can we cater the design to fit your lifestyle and express your values. 

From floor plan to finishes, color scheme to lighting, and even furniture to décor, your lifestyle and values affect everything. That type of customization and consideration has incredible value. Don't waste your money on a design not well thought out. ​

3. The Value in Confident Details

​The devil is in the details. No truer statement than when dealing with construction. There are so many details to consider and your contractor will expect you to make them on the spot. But did you know that if you make one choice now it can affect your  options down the road, such as where you can place stone on the exterior or where you can add lighting? ​The last thing you want is to make a flippant choice now, because you are tired from decision fatigue, and find out later that you painted yourself into a corner.  

​Hire a designer to help you sift through those decisions early on. At Sonia Barney Design we specialize in creating design books after we have gone through the whole design process so that you have all your decisions organized at your fingertips. Then when your contractor asks if you want this or that, you can refer to the book and give him confident answers.

There will be much fewer mistakes and confusion if you have a road map with all the decisions made in advance. ​

---

Bank Account Bonus!!!

---

​Hopefully you can see that a designer will add incredible value to the experience and the end result of your project. But we still can’t get away from the fact that designers cost money, and not just a couple bucks either. So let me list the ways that a good designer can help your project’s financial success. 

• Avoid change orders – these occur when you come up with the best idea after something is already built and the contractor has to go back and redo things. No need for change orders if you have the design already set before you begin construction.
• Lower subcontractor fees - decisions and detailed design books made in advance mean the contractor and subs can order finishes, line up people, and quickly and efficiently implement the design with minimal questions on site. A lot of the subs are paid per hour, so the more efficient the process, the lower the invoice. 
• Avoid construction delays – as mentioned above, a detailed design book helps speed up a project, which means less days of you paying for alternative living conditions and the contractor to manage the project.
• Avoid taking time off from work – the right team in place means that you can avoid spending long hours researching, sourcing, and managing the project,  and focus on what you do best. 
• Increase return on investment – ROI is huge when it comes to your future bank account. Someday you may want to sell this home. The decisions you make today will increase or decrease the value of your home, and a designer can help you navigate those.

​The next time you are ready to take the plunge into the home remodel or new construction world, consider the value of a good designer and the many services they offer. Do your research and find the one that will best suit your personality and needs. If you are interested in working with Sonia Barney Design, feel free to schedule a free Introductory Phone Call today. We would love to get to know you and see if we are the ones to help you make a home built just for you. 

Schedule a Call Today