16671 Interior Designers & Decorators in Sheffield

Interior Designers and Decorators in Sheffield

What is an Interior Designer and why must I hire one?

Restyling one’s home, especially if it involves structural changes, is a costly investment. Mistakes are expensive and quite frustrating, which is why you should do your best to avoid them.

That is where hiring a professional comes in. And in the case of giving your home a new look, that professional is an Interior Designer and Decorator. Hiring an Interior Designer and Decorator might sound like an extravagant option, but the truth is that there are several homeowners who rely on these professionals to help them configure their houses with the latest looks.

But keep in mind that an Interior Designer is different to an Interior Decorator. The latter is more focused on how to improve a home or room’s look with aesthetic qualities such as colour palettes, wallpapers, furniture, etc. An Interior Designer, on the other hand, undergoes years of training to understand how such aesthetic features match the structure and layout of the building. And similar to Architects, they are also up to date with the relevant building codes.

Thus, if a few interior touch-ups are all you require, it might be best (and less costly) to go with a decorator instead of a designer.

What are the benefits of hiring an Interior Designer?

An Interior Designer possesses a wide range of skills. In addition to being experts in choosing the right types of fabrics for the right rooms and uses, they can also help you select the best furniture, flooring, window treatment, and lighting fixtures.

These professionals are often quite clued up on the elements of interior architecture, as they are able to provide drafting and drawing and other key services.

With a professional Interior Designer overseeing your project, your property’s value can be raised, you are guaranteed a wealth of new designs and ideas you would never have thought of, plus you get to work with a professional that brings vital experience to the table, saving you money and time.

Why is it better to hire a local Interior Designer when living in Sheffield?

In terms of lowering travel costs, it makes more sense to hire a professional in your area if you live in Sheffield. And remember that an Interior Designer / Decorator from Sheffield already has knowledge about other professionals, vendors, and suppliers in the region. That means they can readily supply you with the relevant expert if your project requires one (such as a Lighting Designer, Painter or Floorer).

An Interior Designer / Decorator in Sheffield will also be well versed on the relevant building codes, construction requirements, and architectural / design trends of the area.

How much will an Interior Designer and Decorator in Sheffield cost?

While interior design services were seen as a luxury in the past, these professionals have become much more affordable and, thus, available to more people in modern times. Today, it is much more common for interior design firms to offer a variety of interior design services to suit the budget and needs of the client.

Some Interior Designers charge an hourly rate. And even a few hours in the presence of a professional can make a difference, as they can help steer your vision in the right direction, find affordable yet stylish solutions to suit your budget and taste, plus put you in contact with other experts.

Interior Designers usually calculate a fee proposal for their services. This is based on the overall budget for the client’s project. The fee of your Interior Designer (and his/her input) should usually reflect your overall budget. Thus, thinking of this as a percentage (typically around 10%) can be helpful. But keep in mind that this figure can vary greatly depending on numerous factors such as location, the professional’s experience, the quality of materials and finishes, etc.

Take a look at the following example fee package.

The essentials (e.g. for styling one room): £100-500 fee. This would suit a total project budget up to £5,000. Although this should be tailored to suit your needs, the total cost could include:

·         A consultation (note that not all designers charge a fee for an initial consultation);

·         A furniture-placement plan;

·         A concept / mood board;

·         A shopping list for you to take care of the purchases yourself.

To help keep the costs down, an Interior Designer might even suggest working remotely with you. In this case, you will provide necessary information, like the measurements of the space.

How do I choose an Interior Designer?

·         Get specific: Before meeting with a designer, pen down all the things the professional will need to work with (like the look you’re going for, your budget, the timelines, location of your project, etc.)

·         Where to find them: Design websites, décor magazines and –blogs, and word-of-mouth referrals (usually from friends and family) are the best ways to see what Interior Designers are out there. Fortunately, homify makes finding the ideal professional for your project much easier through our Professionals pages. Our collections include additional information on each pro, such as location, portfolio, contact details, and even customer reviews where applicable. Shortlist the designers that fit your need – that way, you have more than one to approach.

·         Do a background check: Find out what you can about your shortlisted candidates’ education, past projects, past clients, and years of experience.

·         Portfolio check: Know what the designer specialises in (i.e. residential designs, modern styles), how good they are at innovating, and overcoming challenges. It’s also a good idea to ask them to take you on a site visit to some of their projects.

·         Discuss budget: Once you are convinced you have found the correct designer, finalise the cost. This will vary from professional to professional. Discuss your available budget, if the designer is willing to work in it, what services are part of their offering, and where (if needed) cuts can be made.

·         Work as a team: It is important that you and your Interior Designer can work in sync when it comes to the designs. Share your initial conceptualisation of the house / room and let them share their ideas, as well as possible challenges. The right Interior Designer is the one who is flexible and tries to fit the client’s sensibilities along with his/her designs.

These Questions to ask an interior designer might come in handy on your quest for the perfect professional...