Interior designer - worth it? And how much?

[flumpybear]

Hi
We're having our house done up - extension with three bedrooms a bathroom and shower room plus redesigning our current house with open living plan in kitchen lounge dining room, new lounge/garden room ... thinking of a designer for the downstairs rooms and bathrooms - have you used one and are they worth it? How much do they charge?
Thanks

Can't you just find a look you like online - Pinterest or Instagram; then recreated something similar. It might take you a little bit longer but it would save a lot of money.

I literally have no vision at all!

Make a mood board OP.
Start by looking through some magazines, cut out anything that you like, colours, textures, lighting.
Do you like cosy or contemporary, vintage, or industrial.
Once you start looking, you'll get ideas. Enjoy ! 😄

Parents in Law used one for their sitting room in a period house. She did a fantastic job. It doesn't scream 'interior designer' but she used bold colours and patterns that work perfectly with the age of the house but also make if a very usable room.

They've tried to do the same in other rooms and while they are nice - it's not as effective. I think if you have the money get in touch with a couple of people, ask to see previous work and see if you click with them.

I used one and didn’t like what she came up with. I can do better, and did. I think I was unlucky though. She was lovely but everything was very predictable and used Harlequin a lot. I can do that! I wanted something more interesting.

We had one, quoted £2k per room just for the design, and then obviously you pay for all the items etc.

She said it worked out cheaper to use her for buying, but by the time she'd taken a cut and we paid vat it was cheaper to source 50% if it ourselves.

Rooms looked fab, but she just had absolutely no idea about budget: £600 for one simple white blind, £1500 for a smallish rug etc

What about paying a designer to come up with a mood board and a general vision for the room for you but then you carry out the vision? I used to work as a wedding designer (v briefly!) and that was a service we used to provide. It just helps to give some direction and vision to someone who can then carry it out in their budget and timeframe from that point onwards.

Thank you guys. I'm going to try the mood board and Pinterest too whilst we're going through the extension and renovation ... I'll probably be broke by then anyway lol

We used one. After spending over £3000 with only curtains and wall painting to show for it we finally came to our senses and got rid.

Reading that back makes it sound like i meant 'Art' or something. It was literally having walls painted.

These are ridiculous costs. I'd love to hire one, but god, no way I'm spending thousands. I've a friend who is an interior designer, lives in another country, she works for someone, but considered going it alone and talked about how difficult it was.

No wonder with these costs. Sigh.

Download the Houzz app! Addictive and free :)