To ask if you have a nicely decorated house...

[StarlightIntheNight]

How did you do it? Did you get an interior designer or did you sort it yourself? Im at loss on where to start for selecting sofa, art, rugs etc. We moved into a house a couple years ago and just brought our temporary ikea furniture (possibly considered permanent as we have had for 5 years! lol). The idea was to buy nicer furniture once we own a house and when kids are a bit older...well we own a house and kids are older...but I am at loss on how to pick things...so nothing gets done really and I am feeling frustrated. Interior designers seem very expensive...but I am afraid if we don't get one, our house will always be unfinished. I am looking for helpful tips here on where to start or if you have used an interior designer - Thank you!

I think an interior designer is worth the money. A good one will be able to work within your budget and will know how to interpret your aesthetic and make it come to life in the space you have. Only a terrible interior designer would make someone’s home look like a soulless new build show home. As with a wedding planner, they can often get trade rates on things that may save you money in the long run. It’s a particularly good idea if you do not have a coherent vision yourself or if you feel lost on things like layout, optimal size of pieces, lighting design, palette and texture, where to shop, etc. Pinterest can be awful if you have know idea how to implement a look in your own home.

I have a flare for design and enjoy curating my home, but I would hire a designer in a heartbeat for redoing a room all in one go. It takes the stress out of it and a designer has access to a much bigger range of options to source pieces that are just right.

Personally I would never go with an interior designer. The furniture, rugs and art I own have been collected over years and most my furniture will last a lifetime. I get inspiration from Apartment Therapy and Houzz.

I used Homewings.co.uk for some inspiration - you basically send them photos of your space & the dimensions, and an interior designer will design the room for you. You do not have to buy anything (I liked quite a lot of what the designer put together but found it cheaper elsewhere) and it's pretty inexpensive for some inspiration and ideas on how to get your home to look pulled together and unique to you.