Hiring an interior designer is deemed a luxury for many homeowners. The high price tag comes with the added value they provide for your home. If you fancy an upgrade with a wow factor but don’t know where to start, the interior designer can help. Before you splurge on this extravagant service, we have listed the pros and cons of hiring an interior designer to help you decide.
Pros of Hiring an Interior Designer
Increases Your Home Value
Interior designers provide that magic touch to transform your home into an enviable space. You can instantly tell the difference the moment you walk through the door.
With a keen eye for detail, an interior designer can blend aesthetics and functionality into a work of art. They can bring to life your vision and provide recommendations on how to combine your desired elements with practicality.
Storage can be plenty yet cleverly hidden. Countertops can be exquisite yet easy to maintain. Your small living space can be optimised with a good flow of energy.
Hence, it’s no surprise a well-designed home commands a higher resale value.
Interior Designers Can Connect the Dots between Suppliers and Other Professionals
Depending on how elaborate your home is, remodeling it requires sourcing for different materials and getting the right people for installation. Established interior designers are usually equipped with a wide network of suppliers and trades(wo)men whom they liaise with for all their projects.
From floor tiles to curtains, quartz countertops to pendant lighting, simple leakproof kitchen sink to elaborate wall art, you can rely on your interior designer for advice.
Unlike regular buyers, the interior designer has privy to bulk discounts, and thus command better pricing for the materials.
Saves Time with Lesser Hassle
Designing your home can be a tedious and stressful process if you lack knowledge and time. There is a reason why hiring an interior designer comes at a high price. You’re paying for their expertise to get your home done up tastefully within an acceptable timeframe.
With the help of professionals, you can avoid costly mistakes such as getting the wrong paint colour, choosing inappropriate lighting, or/and buying furniture and fittings that do not fit. Imagine getting an expensive marble countertop for your wet kitchen only to find out it needs constant maintenance and care.
Interior designers have a knack for detail that normal folks overlook. They are trained to discern what works and what doesn’t, and this will save you so much time and money in the long run.
Hand it to the professionals and utilise your time for better pursuits.
Cons of Hiring an Interior Designer
Higher Cost of Renovation
Have you factored in the cost of hiring an interior designer into the cost of renovation? When you hire an interior designer, you’re paying for additional professional services on top of the contractor’s charges.
According to Home & Décor Singapore, the fee for an interior designer can be between S$1,500 to S$6,000. Some designers even charge a fee for design quotation because of the time spent during the consultation and coming up with a draft. And you have not even hired the person.
Besides the fees, you will need to budget for potential higher material costs. To achieve the design of your choice, you may require a certain level of customisation that is not available using regular materials. All these cost money.
Loss of Personal Touch
Do you want to design a home that truly reflects your personality? Then, hiring an interior designer may be counterintuitive.
Interior designers are strangers after all. Can they truly capture the essence of your individuality during the brief conversation moment?
A good example is hotel vacations. You may love how welcoming hotels are with their exquisite décor, but you know, that will never be home.
The outcome may be beautiful, yet something is amiss. As a result, you may end up feeling like an outsider within your home.
Different Vision May Cause Conflicts
If you are into a laidback look but choose to work with a designer who is renowned for bold designs, this partnership may be off to a rocky start.
Appreciation for design aesthetics is very personal. Despite their artistic credentials, interior designers come with their own experiences and preferences which may deviate from your vision.
Hence, it is important to select the designer whose specialisation and strengths are aligned to your tastes. Go through their portfolio and you will notice a similar pattern. Do you like what you see?
Some designers excel in contemporary and luxe designs while others may only emphasize minimalist and classic styles. Then, few are well-known for their avant-garde designs that appeal to the unconventional. Which style do you prefer?
Once you understand what you truly want, communicate your vision to the designer. Ask them for their opinion and let them show you sample designs. This will ensure your expectations are met with minimal conflicts.
Does Hiring an Interior Designer Spark Joy?
Understanding the pros and cons of hiring an interior designer will help you decide if that’s the route you want to take.
Sometimes what you envision may not necessarily be practical. When you engage an interior designer, keep an open mind to explore options and suggestions that you may not have considered.
At the end of the day, your home should bring you joy. If the final work fails to resonate with you, then it is better to go solo without one.
