Interior Designers - Worth the £££?

[OneDayIWillHaveAGreatUsername]

We've just moved to a lovely new house but are totally stumped as to how to decorate it (particularly the lounge).

Has anyone used an interior designer to help them on either a particular room or an entire concept for a house (as in colours for rooms)? Is it worth the money?

If I had the money and a recommendation I would love to. We’ve used Oneplan for our extension design and it’s 100% been worth the money. So although not wha5 you are after, I can see how using experts is worth it

Yes. Different designers charge differently however. My designer was worth every penny. You really do need a recommendation in my view

Just like other professionals - worth every penny if they do a good job. I think it's a case of having a look around and picking someone whose style you like.

Thanks all! I feel it would be money well spent (we have recommendations) but DH is a little less sure. I figure we can try with one room and take it from there!

I think that often happens - try one room, see what the process and the result are like and take it from there.

Farrow and Ball come to your house and do a colour consultancy. You send them pictures or swatches of furniture/ ideas that you have or that you like in advance and they look at the light in each room and suggest colours and combinations that would actually work in your house. I think its £150 or might be £250. That pays for an hour and they do 4 rooms I think. You don't actually have to buy their paint but you could or get it colour matched with Johnsons paint.

Most interior designers will do a free consultation. DH is one, and a lot of his work comes through Houzz; as PP have said, he often does one room and then further work once the client is happy with the results.

Are you in an area with lots of designers? Get a few quotes- a good designer will work within your budget and listen carefully to your needs.

@tethersend we are (although all second-hand - none from my own friends/acquaintances). I've contacted a few and only one is coming for a free consultation - one has had a telephone conversation but it wasn't really a consultation and another just told me her hourly rate and the fourth hasn't even responded.

I've not used Houzz (I'm on Pinterest a lot). How would it work - I search for designs I like and can contact the owner and/or designer?

Laura Ashley do a reasonable service

I think something that people often overlook is good lighting, so I'd make sure to find someone who will cover this aspect. Not so much 'a lamp would look pretty here' but more 'you need light and/Or depth here' .

Yes, you just have a browse and see what you like- there are thousands though, so filter as much as you can to find one with a style which fits with yours.

If you're having difficulties in getting a consultation, I would avoid those designers, it doesn't bode well.

Hope you find someone good. If you're anywhere around the London area, PM me if you want me to put you in touch with DH.

@tethersend I am in the area ... how do you PM on here?!

Have sent you one- or hit the three dots at the bottom right of my post