Hiring An Interior Designer: Five Benefits for Clients

Written By Lisa Deane, M.Sc. (Interior Design), LEED Green Associate, BIA Affiliate​

Images Supplied By JOSBRA Design, Dane Deaner, Leslie St. John and Mike Toy

With so much style inspiration at your fingertips, you may question why you should hire an interior designer. Building and fitting out an interior space can be overwhelming, whether it be a home, commercial or hospitality space. Interior designers are the experienced professionals who can guide you through that process, from the first concept sketch to the final placement of artwork and every step in between. 

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) defines interior design as “the professional and comprehensive practice of creating an interior environment that addresses, protects, and responds to human need(s). It is the art, science, and business planning of a creative, technical, sustainable, and functional interior solution that corresponds to the architecture of a space, while incorporating process and strategy, a mandate for well-being, safety, and health, with informed decisions about style and aesthetics.”  

Interior designers have the training, knowledge, and experience to help you design and develop a space that works for you. Here are five reasons to consider hiring an interior designer for your upcoming design project: 

1. Clarify Your Vision 

Some people excel at knowing what they want, and others, not so much. Whether you have a Pinterest board or hundreds of screen shots saved on your phone, an interior designer will help you streamline your inspiration and help turn it into a clear, realistic design plan. This conceptual design phase is typically collaborative to ensure your needs and wants are addressed, with aesthetics, building code and important technical aspects taken into consideration. 

1. Facilitate The Process 

Design is an on-going process with several planning stages, and once the conceptual design has been developed, those ideas are solidified into a formal construction plan. An interior designer can help with this technical aspect of the project, producing detailed drawings in order to obtain pricing. Once everything aligns, you’re ready to get started with the onsite work. This stage can also be daunting, as anything can happen during construction. An interior designer can streamline the process so it runs as smoothly as possible, and help you keep an open mind and positive outlook during design implementation. 

1. Manage The Budget 

It can be difficult to understand how much a project will cost, and most people don’t have unlimited budgets. Based on your needs and wants, an interior designer can advise how much your overall spend will be, working with other professionals to confirm costs. Using this information, they can advise what big-ticket items should be prioritized (such as electrical and HVAC systems) and where savings can be made by adjusting the design and construction plans, while still meeting your needs. 

1. Save Time 

In today’s world, time is a currency of its own. Design projects are not only significant financial investments, but can also be very time consuming. It is pertinent to devote significant time and effort during the initial planning phases to ensure a clear path is set. As the project progresses, an interior designer will further assist with the detailed nuances of the onsite work, allowing you to better allocate your time to other priorities while ensuring your project is completed successfully.  

1. Team Management 

No matter the size of your project, it’s important to have the right team in place. Projects typically require an architect, interior designer and a contractor to bring your ideas to reality. Other team players may include a structural engineer, mechanical / electrical / plumbing engineer, quantity surveyor, millworker or procurement agent - and the list can go on. An interior designer can help build the right team and assist in its management to keep the project on time and within budget. The designer can also act as an intermediary between you and the other professionals needed to make the project a reality, ensuring everyone’s interests are managed in an equitable way. 

When embarking on any interiors project, it’s important to remember that design and construction is a team sport. Working with professionals who can support you during the process ensures you create spaces that are beautiful, functional and customized to your wants and needs. It is extremely fulfilling to have your design vision successfully realized, and interior designers can help make that process run as smoothly as possible.