So you have finally signed the document and now you have your perfect home. But it is not anywhere close to perfect: there are stains on the carpet and the colour schemes look like something designed by a child. What are your options? Before getting a paintbrush and looking at furnishings catalogue, why not hire an interior designer who is going to help you get the home of your dreams?
Interior designers have been trained in planning and supervising the design of interior decoration and furnishing a house, doing an office fit out in Reading, and curating other spaces. They usually offer a full package that includes consolation and product management, or a design-only service.
They are going to come up with good plans, help you find material and furnishings needed, and also arranging subcontractors that are going to do the various works that need to be done, e.g. carpentry, construction, and plumbing. They supervise the project until everything has fallen into place, and you get what you wanted.
A good designer is the one who has been working on their art, studying and practising on it. They have the training like art and architecture, different aspects of designs, and know the wide variety of styles. They also have access to some of the things you might not be able to get, and they already have good relationships with reliable vendors and tradespeople.
You will have to pay for this. The amount you will spend depends on the project, the quality of materials you want, and also the experience of the designer. If you want to re-design the living room, with paint and sofa, then expect to spend about £5,000. If you want a large house to be completely refurbished, then be ready to spend £100,000 or more.
Word of mouth is one of the best ways of finding a designer. You should ask your family, friends, and colleagues if they know someone who has done an interior-design project for them. If you see an interior that appeals to you, then try finding which designer did it.
Many professional designers have a diploma or degree in interior design. These qualifications are important, but you need to also look at other factors. You need to choose a designer who has a personal style you like, versatility, values input, reliability and trustworthiness.
If you see cost as a big issue, consider finding one who is from the local area. Distance drives up the cost of subcontractors and designer. But do not make the mistake of making your decision by only looking at the cost. Those who provide lower pricing on their services tend to offer a lower level of service. What you pay is what you get.
Doing Your Research and Asking Questions
You should visit the website of the designer you are interested in. You will be able to have a look at some of the work they have done in the past, and you will also know more about their services and fees. Once you have a list of prospective designers, call them and ask about their work and how they can help you with your project. Many will be ready to send you their portfolio or even give you references from clients they have worked with.
Make sure the designer is clear about the fees. Most of them offer free of charge consultation for the first time. The fees can vary after this. There are those charging a fixed design fee if it is a small project. If your project is complex, or if you are not sure about what you want, then the designer can charge you by the hour or by the month.