5 Reasons to Hire an Interior Designer (and Who We’d Hire Over and Over Again)
I don’t know about you, but when I hear the term “interior designer” I think, “awesome, but unattainable.” Some might even think “frivolous” or “expensive.” Why pay someone else to do something that you can do yourself? Aren’t interior designers only for wealthy people with huge budgets? Don’t they just pick out pretty things?
Friends, I’m here to debunk every myth and misconception about interior designers— starting with my own— and to tell you why I now view interior designers (one designer in particular— keep reading!) as an indispensable resource in any home project.
As you know, Stephanie and I are deep in the throes of gigantic home renovations. We’re talking— down to the studs, all new everything, boggle-your-mind projects. When we first began, we both planned to design everything ourselves. How hard could it be? We had a contractor, we had subs, and we had a Pinterest board filled with all of the things that we loved. That should be enough, right?
(Insert cackling here.)
Y’all— the amount of overwhelm that I felt by week 2 was… significant. How was I supposed to know if I needed a 3 or 4 foot vanity in the second floor bathroom? That seemed so far away! What do you mean, I need to account for HVAC when designing my dream master bedroom? Counter width!? I want… normal width? I think?
Enter Kathryn Kimmel of Kimmel Design.
The things that were making my brain explode were second nature to her. She stepped in and took my hodge-podge of needs and wants and turned them into a functional, cohesive design. She made everything make sense. I could breathe again!
I’m going to break down for you the top 5 reasons to hire an interior designer:
1.) They bring a huge value.
I know that you’re thinking— “Interior designers are expensive. How is that going to save me money?” Hear me out: interior designers are worth the investment and then some. One of the many skills of an interior designer is to help craft a realistic budget from the outset.
You know that feeling when you’re positive that your countertop budget will be plenty for that Carrera Marble you wanted, only to learn that your contractor was thinking Formica? YIKES. That’s a big, unforeseen bill added to the pile.
“One of the main reasons that projects go over budget is because there wasn’t a clear communication of expectations between the client and the contractor from the outset,” says Kathryn Kimmel. “I work with clients to make as many selections as possible before their project even breaks ground. That way, we have a solid, reliable budget to go off of, without being blindsided by big expenses.”
This approach ensures that the initial quote that you get from a contractor is more likely to be what you actually pay— saving you big money in the long run.
2.) They’re an excellent resource.
This one feels obvious— but it’s important to discuss.
What are you an expert in? What have you done 1,000 times? Maybe you’re an accountant, and a budget is second nature to you. Maybe you’re a stay-at-home mom, and meal planning is your jam. Maybe you are a nurse, and starting an IV is just no big deal.
An interior designer is a professional. While designing a kitchen cabinet layout seems overwhelming to me, it’s second nature to them. They know when plumbing, HVAC, and drywall go in. They know when appliances need to be purchased. They know what finish of paint will look best on exterior siding. How? Because this is what they do day in and day out— and it’s information that you gain by hiring them.
They also are a valuable resource when it comes to materials. Looking for the perfect sconce in brushed nickel, or a funky rug to ground a room? Chances are, they’ve got a source for you. Can’t choose between plantation shutters or bamboo shades? I can guarantee that they can decide for you— and make you feel 100% on board with whichever it is.
3.) They keep things on track.
When you’re renovating a home (especially with a young family), there is nothing more disheartening than a delay or mistake.
They can ensure that what you and your contractor agreed upon is what is actually done— working as an extra set of eyes.
Your designer can also work as a go-between between you and your contractor, meaning that you don’t have to pick up your phone 15 times a day answering a million little questions that you don’t know the answers to.
Because they’re well-versed in timelines, they can stay a step ahead of everything— in budget and project— ensuring that nothing is delayed.
4.) They can turn your vision into something even better.
I don’t know about you, but I love a lot of different things. If you were to peek inside of my mind at any given time, it would be hard to find any common thread in there. Part of me loves clean, minimalistic design, while the other part of me loves color and comfort.
An interior designer is able to take all of the things that you love and find a common thread— and then, most importantly— make it cohesive.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sent Kathryn a screenshot of two things I love— seemingly polar opposites— only for her to source something that’s the perfect mix of the two.
What about that overstuffed leather sofa that you love, but has a HIGH price tag and you know your kids will just destroy it? Add “problem solving” to the ever-growing list of perks, because your designer has a fix for that, too.
“I really try to consider what stage of life my client is in. If she’s a young mom with kids, I’ll think about what’s attainable and practical for her family,” Kathryn told me. “That beautiful coffee table with glass and a metal edge might not be a good fit for her, but it would be great for the family whose children are a bit older and aren’t practicing WWE in the living room.”
5.) They fit every price point.
Whether you’re building a home from the ground up, or doing a quick living room refresh, an interior designer is a line item worth budgeting.
Though some designers require that you hire them for large-scale projects, many (like Kathryn!) also have offerings that can be as simple as providing visual design boards (think tile, fixtures, etc.) with the option to order yourself or through the designer.
Okay… You’ve sold me. But how do I hire someone?
First things first: do your research. Find a designer whose style meshes well with yours. What kind of past projects have they done? Where are they located? If you’re not local, do they travel or offer virtual consults?
It’s also important to make sure you’re hiring a professional rather than a hobbyist. Does this person have a business license? There’s a big difference between doling out advice about wallpaper versus strategically designing, planning, and executing a large-scale project. You’ll want to make sure that you have an experienced professional on your team.
Second: bring them in early. As I learned, it’s much easier to have a designer from the outset than it is to bring them in somewhere along the project and have them work backwards.
Three: Reach out!
Our favorite designer? Kathryn Kimmel of Kimmel Design.
Whether you’re a Georgia native or live elsewhere, I truly cannot recommend Kathryn of Kimmel Design highly enough.
Kathryn offers in-person and virtual designing, and is willing to travel if that’s the client’s wish. She has years of experience— from working with architects to families— and her expertise has truly been invaluable as we’ve walked through this wild renovation ride.
Kathryn has three young children, and I so value her perspective when it comes to function and design for young families. She’s offered kid-friendly alternatives to some of my furniture picks, provided excellent insight into materials, and has given us the pieces of design that we wanted without having the huge price tag.
Not only that, she is so kind and patient!
So, whether you’re looking to gut your kitchen or refresh your kids’ playroom, I encourage you to hire Kathryn! She is a wealth of knowledge and has far exceeded my expectations in every way.
So, there you have it! Our thoughts on why you should hire an interior designer, and a little nudge towards the woman we couldn’t function without!
