Deciding how to proceed with an interior design project is a big deal. There's a lot riding on it.... will your colour choices work? Will your space be bigger, smaller, warmer, cooler? Will your design work with your furnishings and finishes? Will your flooring work? And how can you be sure?
Interior designers can help with all of this. Hiring a designer brings all the elements together.
What does an interior designer do?
Interior designers create the settings in which people live, work, and play. They will use their professional knowledge and creativity to design the perfect environment for a client's home or business. Interior designers create spaces that are comfortable, attractive, efficient and functional. They use a variety of tools, including sketches, photographs, and measurements, to imagine the perfect look for a client's home. Interior designers may work with architects or other designers to create a finished product, or they may work independently.
What's the difference between an interior designer and interior decorator?
Interior designers understand human behaviour and how it applies in a spatial context to a given environment or space. An interior designer will know how to apply that understanding to maximise the form and function of that space. Interior decorating is the styling and furnishing of a space with functional items and decorative pieces to achieve a design aesthetic. While the two roles have overlap, the difference is that while interior designers may decorate, decorators do not design.
Fabulous interior design doesn't happen by chance
There is no single formula for creating a successful interior design, but there are some key elements that will always make a space look good. Texture, color, and lighting are all important factors to consider when designing a room. Furniture and accessories should be chosen with care to create a cohesive look, and the layout of the room should be well-thought-out. The trained eye of an interior designer can help you avoid costly mistakes. A designer is going to know how to move from good design to 'wow' factor. Ultimately, working with an interior designer can help you create a space that is both stylish and functional.
The best thing for Newcastle and Hunter Valley residents to do is to hire a locally based interior designer to make these decisions. Hiring a professional interior designer will deliver a 'wow' factor result that you'll be proud to show off. When you're living in Newcastle, NSW or the Hunter Valley - or for that matter anywhere - here are 7 reasons why you should consider hiring an interior designer from your local area.
Reason 1: Save Money
If you're like most people, you may think that hiring an interior designer is too expensive. However, if you take the time to research, you'll find that there are many ways that an interior designer can help you save money. In fact, many people find that hiring a designer can help them save money in the long run.
Here are just a few reasons why hiring an interior designer can save you money:
1. Interior designers have access to special discounts and pricing agreements with suppliers
2. Interior designers know how to get the most out of your budget
3. Interior designers can help you avoid costly mistakes
4. Interior designers have years of experience and knowledge in the industry
5. Interior designers can help you create a space that is both functional and beautiful
A major benefit from hiring an interior designer like Julie Evans Design is to keep you on budget. Their job is to work with the budget you have to get the best result possible for you. Making your budget go further, or getting a bigger bang for your buck is one of the major benefits of hiring an interior designer.
Reason 2: Save Time
Who has time to spare these days? Between work, errands, and spending time with family and friends, who has the time to design their own new home or renovation project? That's where hiring an interior designer comes in. An interior designer can help you save time in two ways. Firstly, they help deliver the project on time by efficiently planning your space, choosing furniture and accessories, flooring, lighting and paint colors. Secondly, they save time by avoiding mistakes like changing your floor plan multiple times, buying the wrong sized piece of furniture, repainting walls to change colour, changing lighting etc.
Reason 3: More resources and suppliers
Interior designers have the resources and contacts to source hard to find or unique pieces, the special ones that only the professionals can access because of the world they move within. While you can buy at retail, interior designers tap into trade-only suppliers whose products are not available to the general public. These suppliers open a new home decor world of furnishings, art, lighting and flooring and add value to interior design services.
It's also possible that an interior designer's suppliers will save you money. Interior designers like Julie Evans Design pass on 100% of their trade discount and supplier pricing to their clients. In this way, clients can save money by spending less or buy more with their fixed budget. Some clients can pay for their interior design fees from the budget savings they have realised.
Reason 4: Marrying form and function
An interior designer has the training and experience to marry the form or aesthetic design of your space along with its function. One without the other doesn't work, and will leave you disappointed and looking for improvement. While your space needs to look great, it also has to function well for its purpose and your lifestyle. Marrying these two factors into a harmonious union to bring your vision to life is what a professional interior designer does.
Reason 5: Work with a professional
An interior designer is a trained professional. They went to school, studied and qualified in their trade. Interior designers have served apprenticeships and mastered their craft over the years. To an interior designer, your renovation, home improvement project or new home build is not filled with mystery or danger. Experienced designers want your home to look good and function properly for your lifestyle. Designers also want to make sure everything is cohesive and harmonious and are trained to see that your design needs are realised. Their project management experience, wealth of knowledge and creativity are valuable, but just a few of the reasons why you should hire them to help realise your interior design project.
Reason 6: Increase the value of your home
While there are a number of things homeowners can do to increase their home’s value, hiring an interior designer is often one of the best investments they can make. An interior designer can help maximize a home’s potential by creating a cohesive and stylish look that will appeal to buyers. Interior designers can increase the value of a home by enhancing the curb appeal, improving the layout and function of the space, and adding special amenities or features. They can also help to create a more efficient and maximised use of space and make design decisions that will increase your home's value.
Kitchen design can have the biggest impact on your home's value. A recent study by the US National Assocation of Realtors found that kitchen renovation is the #1 way to increase the value of your home. Also don't ignore bathroom design. Experts agree that a bathroom re-design can add between 5%-10% to your home's value, and Australian Realtors LJ Hooker discovered in their research that bathroom renovations can provide up to $4 return in value for every $1 spent.
Interior designers are trained to suggest changes that will make a home more functional and practical for everyday living. In addition, an interior designer can provide expert advice on what furnishings and decor will work best in a particular space, ensuring that each room looks its best. By hiring an interior designer, homeowners have the support to make decisions which help their property sell quickly and for top dollar.
Reason 7: Wow factor
A local Newcastle based interior designer like Julie Evans Design can take your existing space to the next level and give it the wow factor that you want to show off your space. Because they're from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, they know Newcastle and the Hunter. They know the environment, building style, lifestyle and what's required to make a new home or renovation your dream house. They know what works within it and what doesn't. Here's a rundown on the elements that contribute to an interior designer bringing you the "wow" factor you want:
Understanding the client and their needs. By understanding their clients and their needs, interior designers can create spaces that are truly unique and tailored to them. This means understanding not just what someone’s aesthetic preferences are, but also what makes them feel comfortable and happy.
Understanding the environment. No matter whether your design project is a new home or renovation, the environment will play a large role in lifestyle.
Maximising function. Interior designers will maximise your space to deliver the function that you're looking for. Are doors in the right place for flow? Are windows in the right place for natural light, or the right size? Is the floor plan right for your lifestyle?
Bringing flooring, lighting design and colours into the design. Interior designers know that all elements or a space must be co-ordinated, and designers are trained to think about them and make sure they are beautiful and cohesive elements of the design.
Tapping into contractors and suppliers that you can't. Interior designers access a hidden world of trade-only suppliers that don't sell to the public. These suppliers can bring the "wow" factor to your home decor, and can deliver pieces that you haven't seen before.
Interior designers like Julie Evans Design are always in touch with the latest design trends, materials, pieces, and directions. Because they live and breathe design, they have their trained eye on the industry and they bring this to your project and deliver it into your vision to give you the space of your dreams.
Don't Work With A Designer If You Want Everything Done In One Day
In today's fast paced world, many people want everything done in a day. This is especially true for those who work with a designer. They often expect the designer to churn out a complete design and plan of action in a short amount of time. However, this is not how design works. Good design takes time and collaboration between the designer and client. If you want everything done in one day, you should avoid the thought of hiring a designer. Because designers are hired to create, they need to be creative. They need to come up with ideas and concepts that will work for your business. If you want things done in one day, the need to hire a fast-food designer is not the right thing for you.
You Shouldn't Work With A Designer If You Don’t Play Well With Others
If you're thinking about working with an interior designer, one of the first things you should consider is whether or not you're a team player. A good designer will be able to work with you to create a space that reflects your unique style, but they can't do it if you're not willing to communicate and collaborate. If you're not sure whether or not you're up for the task, it's best to hire a designer who can help you figure it out.
Save money, time, heartache and get the 'wow' factor
Interior designers are professionals who are trained to save you money, time, heartache and deliver the 'wow' factor. Designers understand the intricacies of furnishing, renovating and lighting design for both residential and commercial spaces. They work with you to create a floor plan that reflects your lifestyle, tastes and budget. By using an interior designer, you can save yourself time, money and potential heartache. Hiring an interior designer also gives you access to their network of suppliers, which can get you discounts on furniture, fixtures and possibly custom joinery.
So there you have it. Good luck with your interior design journey. Ready to get started?
Julie Evans Design is a Newcastle based interior design studio and creator of beautiful spaces. We service the New South Wales areas of Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens. Our goal is to make the potential of your space come to life, so much that it makes your heart sing when you're in it. Check out my interior design services, learn more about me, kitchen design or bathroom design or contact me to have a discussion about your space and your needs.
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