What is an Interior Designer, and Why Hire One?

Ever wanted to give your space a facelift, or think it would be fun to flip a house? Wondering whether you need the help of a professional, and what that would mean for your project? Start here!

 TL;DR

An interior designer is someone who creates beautiful, functional and safe spaces. They have taken the time to get an education in their field. They can be tested and certified, are up-to-date on the most important codes and standards, and can provide a process that is smoother and legally-sound. They can create a layout you didn’t think was possible, provide beautiful images to help you see it before it is built, and see the project through to completion... maybe even saving you money along the way.

First: What is an interior designer, anyway?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Interior designers make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful …They also must be aware of building codes, inspection regulations, and other considerations, such as accessibility standards.

It is the latter part of this description that leads most people to bring on a professional when building or renovating. While just about anyone can paint a wall, and it may be easy to replace your own backsplash tile with the help of a tutorial, many home projects can take on a life of their own once they begin. A designer can ensure that you don’t get caught in that trap.

Okay, but what is the difference between an designer and a decorator?

Typically, decorators focus on the finishing elements of a space; the materials, lighting, accessories and décor. They may be aware of relevant codes and have knowledge of construction, but they do not tend to have the education or experience to create the technical drawings and specifications that an interior designer is trained to do. A designer can be registered and licensed; a decorator typically cannot.

Essentially, interior designers understand what is behind the walls and under the floors; they can help navigate and anticipate the challenges that come along with changing or relocating the elements of your home. They are aware of the testing standards and minimum code requirements that will keep your home safe, and understand the permitting process so that there are no legal concerns down the road.

I’m not moving any plumbing or walls… should I still contact a designer?

In addition to their wealth of knowledge, interior designers have technical skills that can make or break a project. They can create drawing sets to provide to a contractor, creating legally binding plans and specifying exactly what needs to be done. They can oversee and manage projects (taking stress off the homeowner) and assist with material purchasing and installation. Even if there are no structural or mechanical changes, working with a designer can ensure that the job gets done, and done right.

Will my designer need to create all those plans?

In short, no! A designer can help with anything from paint colors and home staging to new-build homes and full-scale renovations. The benefit is that they are prepared, no matter what you need.

Many people have a hard time envisioning finishes in their space, or figuring out how to lay out a small or complex space. A designer is trained to see these things and help communicate them using plans, elevations, sketches and 3d renders. Whether you are repainting your bedroom or gutting a kitchen, it can be extremely valuable to have the support of a trained eye.

Finally, while it may be an added cost to hire a designer, it could save you money in the end! Designers often have access to professional resources and contract pricing. They can also assist you in finding the most appropriate finishes and efficient fixtures for your project, saving money on energy, water, and even long-term maintenance and replacement.

Some final thoughts:

In an age flooded with information, it’s easy to find design ideas and how-to videos on Pinterest, Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube (and whatever else the kids are using these days). Reality stars – turned – HGTV stars make it seem like any idea is doable and that anyone can design.

To an extent, this is true. But while anyone can do anything, not everyone should! There is much more than meets the eye when it comes to renovating your space, and hiring someone to help may be more crucial than you think.

So, why work with a designer? The better question is: why would you not!!

Learning how to Lead with Intention: The 2022 Annual Purdue Women’s Conference (4 of 4)

On June 9-10 I had the privilege to attend the Purdue Alumni Network’s Annual Women’s conference. Organized and hosted by Purdue for Life, the overarching goal is to motivate, uplift and connect.

This year’s conference, held at the Alexander Hotel in downtown Indianapolis, focused on wellness and growth in both our personal and professional lives: in no particular order, I am going to dive into my main takeaways.

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TAKEAWAY 4: Growing as a business owner

 In addition to keynote speeches, conference attendees were able to attend four breakout sessions to dive deeper into areas of interest. I’ve collected bits of information from all these sessions in hopes of sharing what I found to be the most helpful as a new business owner.

1. Developing a personal branding strategy: This can be a simple exercise or an entire job, depending on your goals. My main takeaways? Find what makes you unique and run with it. It’s important to know what people associate you with and be sure that it matches who you want to be. How do you want to be known? What words do you want people to use when they describe you? Everything you do should embody these words, and when people hire you, it should be for these reasons. They can hire any consultant, why should it be YOU.

2. Not sure where to start on your own or how to take your business to the next level? Don’t recreate the wheel, work with what you’ve got. You can always improve on a skill, elevate an existing process, or turn a hobby into an opportunity. Had a great coworker? Use that relationship. Had a favorite project? Explore what made it work and why. Take your experiences and talents and turn them into what makes you unique and desirable.

3. What is your zone of genius? Meaning: Where do your experiences, passions and skills align. How can you use those criteria to find your niche and set your goals? When your passions and your skills meet the needs of others-not only will you be happy, but you can offer something that will help others (that they’ll pay for) and will make them happy too.

4. Set a path, not a goal. Emmanual Acho once said “if you set a goal, you just might reach it”. If you set an objective of growth, instead of a single goal, you can constantly check with yourself to see how you are progressing, and modify your plans to continue to evolve. If you have an end-goal, then your journey ends!

5. Keep connecting. Whether that means liking a LinkedIn post, attending a lunch + learn, or saying hello at a corporate happy hour, every “touch” is one more time that someone will remember your name, and a chance at a new opportunity. As a designer with limited business experience, the idea of “business development” can be daunting. Taking baby steps, like a share on social media, can be an easy way to start building that network!

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   This concludes the “leading with intention” series…I hope the reflections I’ve shared can help you grow and learn as much as they’ve helped me!

Got a question? Want to work together? Reach out!