Interior designers - worth it?

[gallant782673]

We're moving into a house that needs to be redecorated throughout. I don't want anything fancy - just coordinated neutrals with the occasional accent colour thrown in here and there. But I have no confidence in my own taste so I'm wondering if it would be worth it to get an interior designer to hold my hand a bit. I've no idea how much they cost though, how to choose one, or whether it would be worth it. Has anyone been down this road? Would be good to hear your experience.

They’re very expensive! I could give you a few ideas or have a look on Pinterest

I've met a few, one was a complete rip off merchant who didn't charge anything but got commission on everything she sold you so furniture, curtains etc at vastly over inflated prices. Also met one who did a whole room inc layout and colour/furniture suggestions for a reasonable fixed fee. I went with the second and we're v happy with what she's done. Check a few out and make sure they're clear about their pricing structure.

Yes. Worth it. I recently used one and was thrilled with her insight. She charged what I thought was a reasonable flat rate for her time in coming to my house and then sent me a really detailed room-by-room breakdown of specific changes to make, items to get, things to get rid of, furniture arrangements, colours etc. It looks fantastic. I am also very Pinterest savvy but she just had a fabulous, professional take on my personal style preferences that I couldn’t even replicate myself!! Good luck!

Ok, so I'm pretty naive about these things. How could I use Pinterest in this context? I mean, do I just search for "fashionable neutrals" and wade through a zillion results for something I like, or what?

Start with something specific. Like, “neutral living room”. Find an image you like. Click on it. Below that image you should see the feature “more like this” which will lead you on and on.

As above said. Just search ‘living room neurtuals’ or something along them lines whichever room you want and it brings up lots of ideas

I think you can ask John Lewis to come up with some ideas for you and the fee comes off whatever you buy from them.

I've never fully used an interior designer but have had mini-consults a couple of times from posh furniture shops as I have a weakness for modern design and a free session with their in house designer cushions the blow of a big item a little!

Obv they hope you will end up buying more stuff but I've found thry have often saved me money by suggesting an off beaten track design led suggestion eg. my Dining chairs are designed for commercial /educational use and not really for a domestic environment. When I got them they were only marginally more expensive than IKEA chairs and they have lasted much better than the ones they replaced!

I've had them now for more than 10years and they are still pretty spot on stylistically (keep seeing them on instagram).

I'd call a few up and see what they say about fees etc. look on houzz for reviews etc.

John Lewis home design service is great. Free effectively if you order from them and will cover all budgets. I used them to look at curtains / wallpaper / colour scheme in a couple of rooms of my new home based around a couple of key pieces of furniture. Certainly recommend it.

I am an Interior Designer and yes my dear, we are WORTH it

Laura Ashley do a service with a set price per room.
I always use an interior designer now. He has fabulous style and a wonderful eye for arranging things. He can look at a room and say. “ mo r that chair over there, put the table and lamp there.... now get a mirror for here and switch that around”. And voila, suddenly your room looks like the cover of 25 Beautiful Homes! I love him!
But I will give him a budget. I have £3000, I want a new ensuite what can you do? And he will come up with ideas etc within budget.
Make sure you like their style! If they are in to glitz and you aren’t it won’t work.

I would tottally use one if i had the money, but on over hand if you do it yourself you can add a nice touch to your home and make it homely and exactly how you want it

I'm moving as well and planning on completely decorating. I can highly recommend buying 'mad about the house' for ideas but I love interior design. If you look at the mad about the house blog, she has a post recently about using Pinterest!
If you're really not bothered and can afford it, than go for it. If you want, I'm happy to give ideas!

It depends on who you use - do your research.
We are using one at work at the moment and a couple of the things are just awful, they have gone massively over budget in some areas (I’m not sure how they got away with it but the directors are paying) and they are pretty rude to deal with. This could be because it’s in a commercial setting though so it works differently to domestic

I haven't used them but I've heard you can have online consultations with an interior designer for a set fee. Send videos/photos/budget they send back colour choices/things to buy. Obviously not as good as someone seeing the place in person but it sounds like you want a pretty standard look, just don't know where to source items.

I’ve recently qualified as an ID, and I’d look at producing a book like Possibly has described. I’m just doing something similar for my first clients.

As designers, we can save you a lot of time and hassle, and money too. We get discounts on many things that we can pass on to you!

@opinionatedfreak thanks for that idea! Think you've just solved a problem I've been having about dining chairs & kitchen stools!

So how much are they? Those that have used one.

In the past i’ve not had confidence in my own opinions and spent ages seeking advice from all quarters, only to end up thinking ‘I like my own idea best’ and could have saved time and stress just going with my gut in the first place! Now I do research and decide for myself. It’s a good feeling at the end :)

I paid £200 for 3 hours of her time, which covered all rooms in my home including bathrooms and even the garden. I received a very professional write up about what we discussed, instructions on furniture arrangement etc and very specific items to look for. She included links to websites to browse to find specific things. And not run of the mill websites. Totally worth it. It has transformed my home.

Sounds great PFB. If she happens to work in SW London, pm me her details!

Definitely, we used one a few years ago.

I used one recently. I found her really helpful as although I stuck to my own ideas on the whole, she helped me really think them through and realise I was choosing what I really wanted and not just lacking imagination!

I like to get interior design ideas on Houzz (which is free). Interior designers are good for ideas and items you wouldn't have thought of yourself. Especially if you choose a designer who offers 3D models of your rooms so you can see what different wall colours are like or how a certain size sofa would fit, etc.

She’s not too far, may well consider it.... I will PM her website to you!