What you’re really getting when you hire a designer.
&
proof that it’s more accessible than you might think.
Before I was a designer, I was a consumer with an interest in design and a natural eye. I remember sometimes wondering who really hires a designer? I certainly never knew anyone that did. I thought that the only people who could afford to were wealthy people and I couldn’t quite understand what people were really paying for. I mean, with Pinterest, google, YouTube, HGTV, and thousands of influencers specializing in home projects, it seemed to me you could pretty much DIY just about anything.
Well, I’m here to tell you that while it’s true you can DIY just about anything these days, the DIY method just can’t replace the experience and outcome of hiring a professional.
So, do you wanna know the truth behind why people hire designers and how you yourself might even be able to afford a designer?
If so, keep reading.
What does a designer know that I can’t learn myself?
While many people have a good eye for design and enjoy decorating, there’s a very real and important distinction between a “Pinterest designer” and an actual designer. First and foremost, a professional is exactly that, a professional at what they do. Whether a designer went to a top tier design school or is entirely self taught, the fact that they’ve chosen this as their profession speaks volumes about their natural insight into design that you just can’t learn on Pinterest. Designers have dedicated their lives to honing their craft and are always actively seeking more knowledge in their field to stay up to date on the best design concepts.
What does a designer even do?
A common misconception is that the entirety of what a designer does begins and ends with making a space beautiful. Truth is, that only scratches the surface. To keep it brief… A designer covers the following (and then some): Hours upon hours of painstaking sourcing of items, tracking those items, returns, itemized lists of expenses, working with builders if the project needs new construction and managing the progress, sticking as closely as possible to a timeline and budget, and keeping you - the client - informed of it all and happy. Basically, a designer takes the majority of the work and stress off your shoulders so all you have to do is communicate, sit back and wait for your gorgeous space to be ready, and pay of course.
I know what you might be thinking… that sounds expensive… And it definitely can be! Keep reading to find out more and see why I think hiring a designer is much more accessible than people think!
So how much does it cost?
Yes I’m going to do the thing where you think you’re going to get a straight answer but I can’t actually give you one because it’s more complicated than that and I’m so sorry, truly.
Here’s the thing, every designer is different and so is every project. There’s clients out there that have an unlimited budget and are willing to pay a designer big money, chances are, that’s not you, and that’s ok! With an average budget, you can still afford to hire a designer, you just have to find the right one for you and get creative with how you use your money.
Another common misconception is that designers only do full home remodels since that’s all we see on HGTV, but a lot of the time projects are smaller scale, meaning less expensive. Here’s a few examples of smaller things you can hire most designers for…
Bedroom decorating
Kitchen decorating
Living room decorating
Bathroom decorating
Sourcing new furniture
Air bnb room redecorating
Consulting for art galleries, paint colors, furniture, etc.
**Really anything that falls into the category of small scale. The point is, designers can be an extremely valuable resource for projects big and small!
As for the cost, again, it depends on the designer. Some designers get paid hourly, others choose to bill by the size of the room and scale of the project, then give a quote room by room. To help give you an idea, below I’ve provided an example including cost that is roughly based on the way I do things.
Project: 1 room makeover, all new furnishings, paint and finishes. No demo.
Average cost of project: $1,200-$1,800
Designer fee: $700-$1,100
Total (low end): $1,900
Total (higher end): $2,900
Remember that’s an average, there could easily be lower quotes and much higher quotes. So for that amount you can get a beautiful space designed through the helpful eye of a professional plus have the hassle and stress taken off your plate.
So, if you’ve always wondered what it really costs to hire a designer and why people do it in the first place, I hope this has provided some clarity. My goal in writing this blog post was to demystify the experience of hiring a designer and to show that even people with modest budgets can afford to hire out.
I truly believe everyone deserves to live happily, and beautifully in their home, hiring a designer can help you achieve that.