Can I afford an interior designer?

Yes, you definitely can!

In fact, if you're about to embark on a home improvement project, using the services of an interior designer will save you money. Here's why.

Reason #1 When it comes to interiors, mistakes can be costly

Both labour and materials are painfully expensive so you want to get it right the first time round. An interior designer is trained to consider many aspects and will help you avoid errors such as positioning lights in the wrong place or picking an inadequate colour scheme, which would be costly to rectify, not just for your bank account but for the planet too.

A designer will help you visualise the space before you go ahead. 3D models are very effective, but often even a couple of rendered elevations and a presentation board will give you a strong sense of what the space will look like, meaning you don't realise you don't like a scheme until it's too late!

Designers also do their due diligence on providers they recommend, so that long-lasting quality products are used. They are also aware of costs for a variety of building works and can make sure you pay the right price for third party services.

Being able to visualise the design scheme before going ahead can save you a lot of stress!

Reason #2 Good interior design is cost effective

An experienced interior designer will make a space work efficiently according to your needs whilst reducing its impact on the environment. For example. they can ensure areas requiring high levels of light are located near windows or they can use reflective wall coverings to reduce the need for artificial light. So you'll be saving money on your utility bills, which is a big win given the current costs of energy!

Reason #3 You will benefit from trade prices

This is probably the most obvious of all, but designers have access to generous trade discounts at a wide variety of retailers. Some designers don't pass the savings onto their clients, however, I prefer to pass my trade discounts and only charge a small procurement fee for the admin work involved. So if your project includes replacing flooring, wallpapering the walls, or buying a new sofa or lights, it won't be long before the savings made exceed the design fee itself!

Reason #4 Designers are good at making things look more expensive than they are

Designers can use an array of cost-saving solutions to avoid compromising on their vision and give you an interior worthy of the ones seen in glossy magazines, even on the smaller budgets. For example, wood veneers can be specified to give the aspect of luxurious solid wood at a fraction of the cost. Natural stone panels or textured wallcovering are very effective at delivering a high-end looking interior without breaking the bank. We can also work around items and materials already in place and integrate them into the new design.

Reason #5 Your new space will stand the test of time

Designers are less prone to fall for short-lived fads and a skilled designer will aim to deliver a timeless scheme which will stand the test of time. As professionals, we can also source high quality items that aren’t generally available to the general public, therefore making your space look even more special!

Reason #6 Time is money

Good designers know their products and are at the forefront of innovative solutions for interiors. Whilst it could take you hours to research the perfect wall tile or shelving unit, it is very likely your interior designer will be able to quickly narrow their search down to a few providers that fit your design aesthetics and will work for your space. This will save you so much stress too!

Large statement pieces were used in this sitting room to enhance the feeling of space

Would you like me to help you with your next project?

My design services start from £110, you can check them here: https://www.delphinebouvetinteriors.co.uk/services

Exciting news!

I will soon be trialling a new service, which will focus on space planning. I've had many requests recently about reconfiguring existing layouts and this is an aspect of interior design I absolutely love.

This package will include 2D and 3D drawings with less complex renders, which are a lot less time-consuming to produce, resulting in very cost-effective design fees.

So if you're wondering how your space would look like when adding or removing partition walls, want to find out how to optimise the levels of natural light getting in, or the best way to add storage and maximise the available space, please get in touch!

In the meantime, you can also check my tips on designing the perfect floor plan: https://www.delphinebouvetinteriors.co.uk/space-planning-guide

Until next time,

Delphine