The questions I get all the time is: Do I need an interior designer? Exactly what is an interior designer? Is this what I need for my home improvement project?
Although there is not an easy answer for most of the homeowners like you and I, my initial response is; do you mean interior designer or do you mean interior decorator? I think most interior designers would think interior decorating would fall under one of the categories which define interior designers.
Like a subfolder in your computer, interior decorating has always played a secondary role in the design and development of a specific area. An interior designer works with the functionality and design of a space but is also responsible to achieve a specific look of the home improvement project or commercial space. Often the interior designer works with an architect and under perfect conditions would be there at the start of the project.
An interior decorator is more of a person who works with the appearance, feel and decor or the personalization of a living or work area. Though each of these professions tends to lie claim to a little bit of both professions, most commercial interior designers are SIDA members (American Society of Interior Designers) Council for Interior Design Accreditation. If your designer is a member they will gladly tell you where the attended the accredited program and for how long.
The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) is an independent, non-profit accrediting organization for interior design education and though there is two and four year programs with affiliate universities and design schools, The Council for Interior design accreditation is the only body that can accredit higher education programs and they only accredit four year programs for interior designers.
If the work is to be done in your personal living area my answer would be you need an interior decorator and not necessarily in interior designer. This answer is based mainly on the fact that most home improvement projects are conducted by home owners and not by contractors. That is another article for another time. Again many interior designers would disagree.
If the basic premise that the space needs to adress functionality, lighting, acoustics, seating and traffic it is almost imperative to have an interior designer work with the space. The functionality and usage of a space is really the determining factor on whether or not you need an interior designer or an interior decorator or both.
So back to the original question; do I need an interior design? If you are working with the usage or functionality of an area or if it happens to be a commercial area then you should be working with an accredited interior designer. If you’re working with a personal office space or residential space then I would suggest you look at your budget and determine if you have room in your budget for an accredited interior designer.
According to the US Department of labor the medium income for an interior designer is $42,000 per year. I do not believe that that is too much money to pay for somebody with an expertise in a given field, a four-year education and an accreditation from a national body.
Do you need an interior designer? The absolute answer is no you do not need an interior designer but in the end an interior designer can help you make decisions based on four years of learning, years of experience, and a defining interest in that chosen field. If you have money in your budget take the time to interview several potential applicants. Each one of the interior designers will have their own flair, their own style, and an individual approach to the function and use of an individual space.
One guiding rule should make this answer easier. If you can afford an interior designer then you should hire one. One good idea, or new idea which will stay in your space for an average of 7-10 years is worth the check you write to them.
If you have questions about which interior designer would be more appropriate for your interests look at their web page. The design of their website should have a personal flair and the jobs which they choose to display can tell you a lot about their compatibility with your own personal tastes. That is ultimately what it comes down to personal taste of your remodeled room, redecorated room, and or new space.
We have all watched the home improvement shows and some of the interior designing and projects have been hideous. Fail or succeed, we pick out some of the things in a home improvement shows which appeal to our taste. That is the same thing happens in working with an interior designer only you have a direct line with the producer. And that I would say that is well worth the $250-$300 a day the interior designer earns on an average.
In hiring an interior designer or an interior decorator it is imperative to have a good rapport and a similar vision of living spaces. If you do not want to live in a Dr. Seuss space then do not hire someone with a whimsical nature. She or he takes clues from what you are saying about your home improvement project and you glean the things you like from her communications and you land somewhere in a collaboration between your style and their knowledge of designing. I have been there when a designer knocks one out of the ball park and that is why you hire an interior designer or interior decorator.
An interior designer has so many more resources available to them than you do. Your designer has already done most of the leg work, has sample books, and has seen most of the new stuff long before you do. so that you don’t spend your time looking at fabric, reupholstering materials, flooring, lighting, and all of the other aspects of designing a space. An interior designer or decorator can save you money not cost you money.
