Working with Interior Decorators

While most homeowners will hire a professional roofer or plumber, when it comes to interior decorating many people think, "Why should I spend money when I can do it?" The answer is that an interior decorator can actually save you money, not to mention time. Read on to find out how...

1. Interior decorators offer professional expertise.
Interior decorators help you put your creative stamp in your home by dealing with decorating, furnishing, and space issues, often in unique ways. Choose an interior decorator whose projects are not only appealing, but have proven practical to build and live in as well.

Interior decorating is not just "having an eye" for color or recognizing quality furniture. It is an extensive discipline that encompasses many specialized areas of expertise, including:

• Colors and how they relate to one another.
• Patterns and how they relate to one another.
• Human perception of space, depth, and texture.
• Compatibility of furniture styles.
• Effective space utilization.
• Specialized painting and stenciling techniques.
• Wide variety of possible window treatments and much more.

2. Interior decorators have spent years finding the best professional interior design resources.
The professional decorator has already dug up the best sources for everything from upholstery services to marble pedestals.

While it varies from decorator to decorator and job to job, interior decorators usually get most of their compensation through commissions or discounts they negotiate with vendors of products and services. In other words, most of their compensation comes from suppliers, not from you.

In many cases, it is also necessary for the decorator to charge a consulting fee. This is usually assessed on an hourly basis or as a flat fee. Always ask about charges and payments before hiring a decorator.