Your browser is out-of-date.
To get a better experience with our home designs, please download other browsers for free. Just click on the icon!
What are the advantages of hiring an interior designer/decorator?
Not sure if you really need the services of a professional interior designer? Then consider the following:
· With an interior designer in charge of your project, you can worry less about your design "skills" and leave it to the pro. They have the education, training, experience, and keen eye for detail to interpret a brief and create a timeless interior space.
· Sifting through products and samples (i.e. wallpapers, rugs, scatter cushions) can take hours, days, even months. It is an interior designer's job to do this for you, but also keep your budget in mind. Thus, working with a professional saves you time and money.
· An interior designer might add costs to your design budget, yet they can save you money in the long run. For instance, interior designers have a vast network of vendors and other professionals in the industry (such as tilers, lighting experts, landscape architects etc.), meaning they can source products and finishes at lower prices. Don't forget that they also have the knowledge on whether to re-use items (such as reupholstering a sofa vs. purchasing a new one).
· Interior designers and decorators are trained to look past current trends and to refrain from impulse-purchasing, both of which can save heaps of costs.
· With their computer-aided design (CAD) skills, interior designers can set up a visual 3D design of what the finished design will look like and provide you the chance to make alterations without committing to anything.
What can I expect from an interior designer/decorator in Manchester?
Manchester's architecture includes a rich variety of designs, most notably 19th and early 20th century structures. Neo-Gothic, Venetian Gothic, and Art Nouveau are just some of the more classic examples. Working with a Manchester interior designer ensures you have someone on your team schooled on these styles, which is a great advantage should your personal style mimic one of these examples.
But even should your Manchester-based project dictate a completely different style (such as contemporary or Scandinavian), it just makes perfect sense to hire a designer based in the Manchester area in order to minimise travel expenses, for both you and the professional.
Also keep in mind that an interior designer or decorator in Manchester already possesses the knowledge about other professionals in the area, should you need one. And they are also up to date with the correct building codes and laws related to design and construction in Manchester.
How much will a Manchester interior designer cost?
It is always important to establish a budget before meeting with an interior designer or decorator. Be very open with your designer about your budget's flexibility and be certain about what services the designer will (and will not) charge for.
It is certainly true that some interior designers/decorators charge for an initial consultation, while others provide it as a free service. Be sure you know which is which before you set up a meeting.
The services of an interior designer will be influenced by a range of factors, such as your project size (i.e. renovating an entire house vs. redoing one room), the quality of your finishes, etc. However, €60 per hour is a safe bet to work with. Bear in mind that other professionals may prefer to take a percentage of the final project cost, which is usually around 12 – 15%.
How do I choose an interior designer?
Not all interior designers/decorators are the same. Like other professionals, they can specialise in different industries (commercial, residential, etc.) and styles. That is why it is so important to "shop around" and make contact with a few designers before settling on the right one for your project.
Keep the following in mind when setting up initial meetings with interior design firms:
· Chemistry: You and your interior designer will be in a professional working relationship for the duration of your project. Thus, it is crucial that you can work together well, plus be comfortable and compatible with one another's personality and communication style.
· Referrals: Always ask for a portfolio of the designer's work, because understanding their access to a huge variety of resources is important to managing time and budget.
· Experience: Become knowledgeable about academic and professional organisation credentials to help you distinguish between a good designer and a great one.
· Artistic ability: Most people can undertake a DIY design project nowadays. However, a keen sense of creativity and an eye for detail is what will result in the "wow" factor – something which you most probably crave for your project.
· Trust: Trust the design process and have patience, as it can take time to determine needs and wants, gather information, and land on the same page with regards to vision.
· Expectations: Set mutual expectations from day one by using contracts to outline deadlines, especially when it comes to responsibilities, communication, deliverables, budget and compensation.
Build (and maintain) a good relationship
Although you need to keep an open mind to new ideas and still be sure that you get what you want out of this working relationship with an interior designer, there should never be any drama. All work, opinions and ideas should be respected.
Do your part by browsing the web for visuals and inspiration about what you want (and don't want) for your project. The more information you give to your designer about what reflects your tastes, the better the chances that they will deliver exactly what you want.
At the end of a project, you should feel that you had professional help in creating a beautiful and practical space that reflects your personal style. And the interior designer should feel proud that they met new challenges professionally, learned something, and helped create something special for their client.
