Have you used an interior decorator?

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We're buying a house in need of a lot of work. We have plans in place already with builders to do all the plastering, rewriting etc and I'm starting to think about flooring, paint colours, bathrooms etc. Thing is I'm not great at choosing. And we have a whole house to decorate, a bathroom suite to choose, kitchen to choose etc. Plus new furniture to buy.

Would you recommend using an interior decorator? Is their advice worth the money? Of am I best off sticking with Pinterest and LivingEtc? for ideas?

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In my experience (used 4 professional decorators in 2 different areas) they do not like to advise on colours/styles etc. They expect YOU to choose and then instruct them. They will advise on paint finishes and if there's a brand they like to use but that's it, it's not a consultative process at all. What if you don't like the colour when It's finished? It's only the quality of the work that is their responsibility. If you mean an interior designer, then that's a different proposition entirely....

Ah I think you DO mean an interior designer. No experience of that I'm afraid, but I do use Home magazines and Pinterest myself.

Oh yeah. Good spot. That's exactly what I mean! See - I haven't a clue about this!

I work for one. She's great at helping with colours/ themes and sourcing furniture/ lighting and having a good variety of reliable trades at their disposal etc but you can just have mood boards done and source things yourself. It can be well worth the investment. Ask around locally for recomendations

Actually, I've had really good interiors advice on MN. If you post photos, there are lots of us willing to help

Thanks @Bluesheep8 I'll do that.

I've used an interior designer. In fact I don't do a thing without asking him as he is fab! I haven't a stylish bone in my body.
I give him a budget which could be small or big. He sticks to it. And he advises on everything, colours, lighting whatever.
Really recommend as you get it done the way you like, so I think yousave money long term.
Just make sure their tastes are similar to yours.

Also follow all the Instagram interior designers. I really recommend Sophie Robinson she does online tutorials on mood boards etc

Or cities often have "how to interior design" courses running.