Hiring an Interior Design Professional

There comes a time in just about every homeowner's life when they decide they're in need of something new and different. Whether you're thinking a new bathroom or kitchen, or feel like making over the entire house, it makes sense to hire a professional designer to help get the job done. The big question then becomes who to call. Interior decorator? Interior designer? Or maybe someone even more specialized? Here are a few clues as to the services each of these professionals provide so you can make an educated choice about which will be best for you.

Interior Decorator
Your decision on whether to hire an interior decorator will probably hinge on how extensive a project you're in the mood for. An interior decorator is someone who specializes solely in decorating (or redecorating) interior spaces. Often they focus on residential work, but they will also work with businesses, restaurants, and the like. They provide advice and planning in regards to the decorating of your home that may include, but isn't limited to, space planning, color schemes, paint, wallpaper, window treatments, flooring and carpeting, lighting, and accessories. An interior decorator works to guide you through the process of choosing and coordinating these different aspects of interior design, and they will often manage the purchase and installation of all facets of your new home design as well.

Interior Designers
If you were thinking something bigger than a cosmetic treatment, then you'll want shift your mindset away from interior decorating and over to interior design. While an interior decorator focuses on the aesthetic, interior designers have a more holistic approach. They are licensed professionals with a minimum of 2 years of post secondary schooling in interior design under their belts. This gives them an edge over interior decorators in that they are qualified not just to make aesthetic improvements, but have been schooled in the ins and outs of structural design as well. In other words, where a decorator might apply a little make-up, an interior designer breaks out the scalpel (in this case a sledge hammer) and dives in for the nose job. An interior designer will sit down with you, discuss possible changes you might want to make, draw up plans, hire and supervise the appropriate contractors, and follow your project through from start to finish.

What I Had In Mind Was Even More Specific . . .
While interior decorators and interior designers are well-qualified to tackle just about any job, you might be thinking that your particular project would benefit from an even more focused level of expertise. In that case you're in luck. Believe it or not, there are interior design specialists who can help you with just about any room in the house, even the garage! Of course bathroom and kitchen designers are far and away the most prominent, since those are without question the two most popular remodeling projects homeowners undertake. And with the nearly limitless options available to you, you'll find that investing in a bath or kitchen designer is well worth the money. A good kitchen designer can save you money and time on everything from purchasing the right cabinets to hiring the right tile installer. And with their expertise on your side, you're sure to love the final product.

Whether you're looking to spruce up your home with a little window dressing, or are ready to start tearing it up for a completely new feel, there's an interior design professional out there to meet your needs.

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