Why Hire a Professional Designer?
Many people think that obtaining interior design services is an extravagance they can’t afford. Andie Day tells us why hiring a professional designer should not be considered a luxury purchase, but rather, a wise investment that actually saves clients money.
Get the look you want the first time.
It’s about doing it right the first time. The collaborative design process creates an environment that is reflective of each client’s individual style. Homeowners with do-it-yourself design projects rarely end up with the anticipated outcomes they hoped for. Hiring a professional with years of education and experience will give the client the look they’re trying to achieve.
Avoid dangerous mistakes.
Without the expertise, many mistakes are going to be made and some can even lead to hazardous living situations. For example, I know a woman who installed a high-polished marble tile in her home. It was so slippery that she fell and snapped her ankle. She’ll be out for months now and won’t be able to do many of her daily activities. A professional designer would have creative solutions for obtaining that high-polished look without it being a safety hazard in the home.
… And costly mistakes.
Often we meet with new clients where the entire contents of their home make them feel badly. For example, they may have purchased a dining set that doesn’t turn out to be what they really wanted. So then they might go out and buy a sideboard hoping that that piece will make it better. When it doesn’t they might buy a piece of art etc. They are hoping to marry all of the pieces together and are simply unable to do it. They are unhappy with the final outcome and feel badly that they have invested so much in furnishings that do not speak to their personal style. They don’t want to spend any more money, so they either have to live in a home that doesn’t make them happy or spend even more to get the look they were trying to achieve in the first place.
Have access to the latest trends and technology.
Designers make it their job to stay on top of the latest trends and technology. Aging-in-place and sustainable design are big trends right now, and both play critical roles in my design philosophy. If we go back to the clients with a house full of furniture they hate … what do you do with all of it? Probably either throw it away or donate it. By hiring a professional, clients’ homes can be filled with furnishings and fixtures they love that will work for them through all stages of their lives.
The same goes for the latest in technology. For example, Robern makes medicine cabinets and they have just come out with a beautiful new design where the cabinet door actually rolls up instead of swings out. This is a great safety feature as it decreases the chances of getting hit in the face with the door. They also have a cabinet that includes a cold storage shelf for medicines that must be refrigerated. These are simple advances that can make a big difference in people’s day-to-day lives. A professional would know about these things but I’m not sure the average client would.
Have a more enjoyable experience.
Attempting a do-it-yourself design project can be very time consuming and stressful. Not only does it require a lot of time and effort but it can also cause conflicts with family members who have different styles or ideas about what should happen. Hiring a professional designer allows you to continue to live your life while getting a design that you love. Designers are also equipped to work through conflicts among family members in order to find solutions that make everyone happy. These solutions could also include planning ahead for an aging parent that might live in the home or finding creative ways to help ease some stress for a family with young children.
Have expertise and a professional network at your disposal.
Designers are experts at knowing what materials and products are the best and where to go for these products. We have a network of connections for all layers of a project and can select the best quality materials that are long lasting and cost efficient.
The vast majority of people would never try to build a house on their own – they would hire an architect and a builder. The same goes for hiring electricians and plumbers – experts in their fields. Hiring a professional designer should be no different. Let us create a home that is beautiful, functional and filled with comfort.
~Blog authored by Andie Day & Sabrina Velandry of Sabrina, Inc
