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Have you used an interior designer? How expensive is it?

15 replies

confusedlots · 22/10/2022 07:05

We are doing major work throughout all the house, and getting near to the end of the building work. I have absolutely no eye for design, and I find it really difficult to pick sofas, curtains, rugs etc that all go together. But now that we have spent so much time and money on a new kitchen and bathrooms etc, I'd love to get the place finished off really well.

Have been thinking about using an interior designer, maybe even just for one or two rooms to get them completed. But I've no idea how it works! Obviously the amount you pay for the actual curtains, furnishings etc depends on what you actually pick, but how expensive is the whole process really? How much do they typically charge to do the consultations and meet with you to pick things. Are there other hidden fees? No one seems to publish this information and I've no idea how it all works!

OP posts:
AlexandraJJ · 22/10/2022 07:07

My friend used one when she moved home (her husband came into a lot of money) the fee was 15% of what was bought

ApolloandDaphne · 22/10/2022 07:11

I too am struggling with the choosing of blinds, curtains, carpets etc after a major house refurb. I don't think we can afford an interior designer but i will be interested to find out how much it might cost.

Elderflower2016 · 22/10/2022 07:38

I would make a Pinterest board for each room of your house of lots of images you like. Then try to analyse what specific bits you like of each picture to identify general themes that are your taste. Eg floral curtains, dark wall colours etc Then for each room choose flooring, curtains (by getting free fabric samples from internet eg mill shop online or the fabric shop) then once you’ve chosen them you can choose paint colours by deciding on rough colour then getting tester pots and seeing what goes with fabric. Then choose furniture, then accessories etc including what you already have. Trust your instincts!!

Asparagoose · 22/10/2022 07:43

There will be a fee but you will get discounts on some of the stuff you purchase because the designer will have accounts with suppliers. The fee depends on the designer. I wouldn’t even bother with the amateurs who charge £250 to suggest what you could buy from high street shops. Hire an SBID accredited designer.

confusedlots · 22/10/2022 07:52

Elderflower2016 · 22/10/2022 07:38

I would make a Pinterest board for each room of your house of lots of images you like. Then try to analyse what specific bits you like of each picture to identify general themes that are your taste. Eg floral curtains, dark wall colours etc Then for each room choose flooring, curtains (by getting free fabric samples from internet eg mill shop online or the fabric shop) then once you’ve chosen them you can choose paint colours by deciding on rough colour then getting tester pots and seeing what goes with fabric. Then choose furniture, then accessories etc including what you already have. Trust your instincts!!

You make it sound so simple but my brain does not work like this! I have more of a scientific brain, I need things to have a right or wrong answer. Anything creative like having to make fancy dress outfits for the kids fills me with dread as I have no idea how to get started!

I already have saved lots of photos of interiors I like on Instagram. The flooring for most of the downstairs is picked and I've decided on the colours for the kitchen units and island. But I feel that's the limit of my own design choices, I'd love a professional to help with the rest, but don't have thousands of pounds to throw at it unfortunately

OP posts:
maryberryslayers · 22/10/2022 11:19

Its a percentage of the over all cost of everything you purchase through them. Usually between 10-15%. Just get in touch with a few you like for quotes and go from there. Look at their instagram for previous clients and see if you think it looks well put together.
We're currently searching for our 'forever home' and I'm planning on using one again as I liked having access to different brands that I wouldn't otherwise have known about plus they organised getting everything fitted and in place so I didn't have to.

Elderflower2016 · 22/10/2022 12:26

Well that’s a really good start if you know what you like! Tricky thing is there is no right and wrong, just preference! I think some places eg maybe John Lewis do some kind of design service with fabrics where if you buy their curtains the design help is discounted? But it may be cheaper as pp said to pay an interior designer then use cheaper products? Personally I try and get as much furniture as possible second hand and then use discounted fabric places online. Let us know how you get on!

NextPrimeMinister · 22/10/2022 13:14

Like you we had done a major upgrade, and I just couldnt get my head round deciding interiors for the ground floor at once.

I used an interior decorator I'd found online. I looked at their websites and found one that was creating the look I was after. I then emailed to get a price, and an idea of the services the fee included.

The one I picked worked virtually which suited me. We emailed, called etc and she created 3 x designs with recommended furniture that fitted into my budget. Price was 750 per room but discounted due to having 3.

I followed her plans to the letter and my rooms look amazing and it's all things I could have bought nyself but no way could I have pulled it all together like she did.

100% I would do it again.

clairedunn74 · 28/11/2022 21:38

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Gobimanchurian · 28/11/2022 21:44

I paid £400 for a room redesign. Consultation visit, looking at my Pinterest and general taste, then she did a birds eye room layout, mood board, chose times and colour schemes and priced everything up.

I haven't followed to the letter but it gave some good food for thought. There were discounts through her supplier links also.

rcat74 · 28/11/2022 21:44

The John Lewis service is free. You can do it remotely and they send you various mood boards.

AlyonaDavydova · 01/12/2022 20:34

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cockneylass · 06/12/2022 00:14

Hi,

What’s your initial consultation fee?

Katieloulou86 · 04/05/2023 13:26

I find for the lower cost services (colour consults/e-designs) most publish their prices... but if you want them to design your whole house and manage all the trades etc they don't publish their prices because it's impossible to have a one size fits all fee... people have such different requirements as to what they want help with, different budgets, not to mention different house sizes.

I had an interior designer do my house, and I had a call with her to tell her what I needed and she sent me a quote off the back of it - no obligation to continue with it. I did get a few quotes to see how they compared.

Was totally worth it, saved me time, stress and money and the house looks amazing. Definitely need to look at their past projects to make sure their style is what you're after though.

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