INTERIOR DESIGN IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT – HERE’S WHY

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When approaching a home remodel, a client will often list the following reasons for their commitment to change:

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• Improved traffic flow (e.g., an open-concept first floor)

• Upgraded function and purpose (e.g., a finished basement for the kids or multi-purpose space)

• Better aesthetics (e.g., installing custom woodwork, increased lighting, upgraded furnishings)

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An interior designer will help you achieve all of these, while at the same time increasing your home’s value to its maximum. It's really a true win/win. Below, we detail the cost and the benefits of working with a designer, plus give some online options for smaller projects, seeing that DDLLC currently focuses on full turn-key design projects. Regardless the size and budget, we believe that interior design is worth the investment.
 

 

WHAT IS THE COST OF HIRING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?

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The cost of hiring an interior designer varies and depends on where you are and what services you need. As you’re evaluating interior design costs, consider whether you need an interior decorator or an interior designer for your project. While these terms are often used interchangeably, many people in the industry make clear distinctions. Oftentimes, an interior decorator will be best for your project if you’re looking to make simple cosmetic updates (e.g., adjusting paint colors, changing furniture layouts, or updating window treatments). If you want to make structural changes and update your home’s aesthetic, you’ll want to hire an interior designer.  With that being said, an interior designer can still offer assistance with furniture selections/arrangements, etc. 

 

And as an interior designer, I have formal training in the art and science of human behavior, as it pertains to space planning, to help better achieve functionality/usage throughout a building. I work closely with contractors and architects to design interior spaces. I also have much experience within the construction field, offering a heightened understanding of property owners behaviors in the home, creating functional rooms within their structures.
 

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CONSIDERING INTERIOR DESIGN COSTS AND BENEFITS

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When you consider your interior design costs, we encourage you to think about the project as a whole. How much time will you devote to managing the project? How much effort will be needed on your part to communicate between builders, architects, and movers? And the biggest question of all, how much will you need to invest? Taking it from that holistic standpoint, you may find that outsourcing these tasks to a professional is well worth it. A professional interior designer takes the guesswork out of the perfect design by handling all aspects of the project from start to finish. Not only that, an interior designer will save you time, money, and energy in the long run. And that’s at any budget.

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1 – BUDGET SAVINGS

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With experience in project management and knowledge of product costs, interior designers help you create the right budget from the very beginning. Setting clear expectations is the starting point to design success. You may find out that you were budgeting far too much or alternatively, far too little. That initial consultation may save you from heading toward a project you aren’t ready to approach. On the other hand, an interior designer will keep your actual costs from spiraling out of control. Being certain from the start is crucial. If you are moving forward with a design, working with an interior designer can actually save you money.

 

As our client, you will receive insider access to the interior design world. We have trade discounts, partners in moving and shipping, and the inside scoop on material costs that we share with you. With exclusive access to certain vendors, an interior designer will give you reduced pricing on items you won’t find in a retail environment. We help clients know when to splurge on that exceptional piece for the room, as well as complimentary, but budget-friendly, products to finish the space. We'll bring these pieces to you and make recommendations. If we are out of budget, we know who to recommend you to that is IN your budget. This saves you money and ensures you’re working with a specialist best suited to bring your interior design dreams to life.

 

2 – OPTIMIZING YOUR TIME

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Time is a big factor in any interior design project. Depending on the size and scope, it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete. Our projects can take 3-6 months (furnishings only) or they can take 1-2 years (new construction). It’s a big time investment! And our clients are busy. They own businesses, love to travel, have families, and frequently entertain. (Just like we do!) We will handle the entire process for them, so they can focus on the other things happening in their lives. Having a professional manage your interior design project saves you time because you’re then able to focus on the things that matter most!

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3 – THE BENEFIT OF A LIAISON

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One of the biggest challenges of a new construction or renovation project is communication. If we’re working on a new construction or renovation, we liaise with the build team and architect for you. You don’t have to worry about things falling through the cracks or wonder if information is being communicated to the right people. Having your interior designer be in control and be the “go-to” person allows problems to be caught before they turn into costly mistakes. We work to address any issues quickly and efficiently which helps to keep the project on track. Being able to cut down on labor costs and prevent mistakes saves money and ensures you don’t go over budget.

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And working closely with builders, contractors, and tradesmen, we are fully versed in the lingo, slang, and vernacular of the industry. This will help alleviate any fear of miscommunication (or misleadings) in budgets and/or upcharges . We are here to make sure you will not be taken advantage of!

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4 – IMPROVED HOME VALUE

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The #1 outcome of a design project is the happiness you will feel in your beautiful new home or room. You can’t really put a price on the enjoyment of a refreshed space that perfectly reflects who you are and supports your lifestyle. Secondarily, you will experience an uptick in your home’s value, as long as we are making smart updates. Home additions generally project the biggest return on investment, as well as bathroom and kitchen remodels. An interior designer will guide you in making the right upgrades if the return on your investment (ROI) is your main goal. Knowing the market is essential here. When your home is up for resale, it’s important that the updates you’ve made fit into the comparable upgrades of the neighborhood.
 

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HIRING YOUR OWN INTERIOR DESIGNER

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If you decide to hire an interior designer, it’s important to understand how they charge for their services. There are four common types of interior design cost structures designers use.

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• Cost Plus – Designers use this structure when they’re purchasing products for their clients. The client’s bill includes the items purchased plus the designer’s service fee to obtain information and recordings of products.

• Fixed Rate – This single amount charged to the client covers all the work, materials, and other expenses involved in completing the project.

• Hourly Rate – For simple, smaller projects, it’s common for designers to charge an hourly rate.

• By the Square Foot – This cost structure charges clients a flat rate based on the size of the property.
   

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WORKING WITH AN ONLINE INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE

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Online design services are great options for smaller projects and quick design help. Here’s what you need to know about the most popular online design services:

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DECORIST

Decorist is wonderful because this platform allows you to work with a high-profile designer on a smaller budget! You choose what space you want designed, provide the necessary details, and submit inspirational photos. Then you’re matched with a designer who provides you with two design concepts. Once you’ve submitted your feedback, they’ll send you the final design and a list of everything you need to bring your design to life. With this design service, you can have your new design in as little as two weeks. You’ll be given a shopping list and can order your furnishings from multiple retailers in one shopping cart. Talk about convenient!

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HAVENLY

If you want a quick consultation or to design a room from scratch, Havenly can help. They offer three different services to give you the design assistance you need. You start the process by uploading photos of your room and completing a survey about your personal style. Then a designer will schedule a meeting to talk more about your style and what you’re looking for. Five business days later, you’ll be sent two design concepts. After revisions, the designer will send you the final design and you can start shopping! All the items in the design are put into your shopping cart and then you decide which ones you want to buy. Once you make your decision, their team places the order and sets up the delivery. Having someone help coordinate the installation logistics is super helpful! We recommend this service for many of our potential clients with smaller projects.

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MODSY

Envisioning what furnishings will look like in your home can be a challenge. With Modsy, you get two design plans of your actual room in 3D. All you have to do is upload images of the room, provide the measurements, and take a style quiz. Then viola, your design is complete! We love that you get an unlimited number of design revisions. And you can purchase exactly what you need in one place.

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INTERIOR DESIGN COSTS AT DDLLC​

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We specialize in full-service, full-home interior design for existing spaces, small and large-scale renovation projects, and new construction. And while we often work to reconstruct a space, we also offer services that focus solely on furnishings. Either way, our processes start with a discovery session to uncover and summarize your design needs. We’ll talk about all the details like:

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• The size/type of your home/project

• Project location and requirements

• Preferred design style and objectives

• Project timing overall budget

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For more specifics on how we price the process: Click Here!

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INTERIOR DESIGNERS ARE WORTH THE INVESTMENT

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Yes, there are interior design costs, and we do not shy away from this. However, there is also enormous value in working with a personal interior designer. Our insight into the construction process will help keep your project on time and on track. We refine your vision, source all the furnishings and accessories, and manage all the details. Our knowledge about where to source the perfect furnishings for your home saves you time, money and many many headaches! We streamline the process and fight diligently to maximize every bit of your budget. We custom design furnishings, assist with construction drawings, and handle the entire process from start to finish. And actual human-interaction is present throughout the process, offering reassurance, support, and project transparency. Our objective will be to create a unique interior that reflects who you are and how you live. While we may work in the mid-to-high-end residential spaces at DDLLC, there are designers at EVERY budget. Whether you use an online design service or work one-on-one with us, the cost of hiring an interior designer is worth it!