Once you’ve figured out what you want your home to look like, the big question is: Should you decorate it yourself or hire a professional? Or both?
Old habits die hard. Some still think you need to live in a mansion to hire a decorator, or are fearful of the cost (whether real or perceived). For others it’s not so much a question of money, but of giving up control and being concerned that the results might not reflect their tastes. Some dive into the collaborative process without hesitation, while others have confidence in their tastes and skill and prefer to decorate their homes themselves.
Which camp do you fall into? Here are some things to think about to help you decide.
Advantages of Decorating Your Home Yourself
Obviously, decorating your home yourself means you won’t have to pay someone else to do it. The results will truly reflect your personal taste, and you’ll be able to take full credit for them. If you’ve gone through the process before and were pleased with the results, there’s no reason not to do it again.
Whether the DIY route will work for you will depend on your strengths. You can also do the project in stages, as funds allow, and you won’t face the challenge of trying to convey your likes and dislikes to a
Disadvantages of Decorating Your Home Yourself
You could mess up. And you’ll either need to live with that error for years to come or spend more time and money of money to fix it.
And remember, the DIY route won’t necessarily save you money. Decorating can be a time-consuming proposition with a steep learning curve and a huge number of decisions that need to be made. What’s your time worth? Will that outlay of time justify the fees you’ll be saving? If you make a mistake and something has to be redone, will you forfeit your savings?
Advantages of Hiring an Interior Designer
Time: If you don’t have time to decorate yourself, hiring a professional could be worth it. Many people underestimate how much time is actually involved when it comes to deciding upon a design vision, taking precise measurements, determining how to “work” the space, selecting and shopping for materials, coordinating with vendors and general contractors (if you’re working on a new build or remodel), and finally, putting it all together.
Vision: Have you purchased a new home and are wondering how to choose the right paint, flooring and furniture to make the whole house feel cohesive? It can be really challenging to make your “dream theme” come together in real life! That’s what interior designers are for.
Money: Believe it or not, hiring an interior designer can sometimes save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars! The upfront investment of design fees many times can be offset by peace of mind, time savings, guidance on the options and/or materials that will save you money, and increased value in their property.
Another way to save money is to avoid costly mistakes. There are many challenges when designing a remodel, business space, or home. The mishaps can include overpriced vendors, faulty workmanship or material selections, incorrect measurements on space and custom pieces, wallpaper mishaps, etc.
What’s better than saving money? Making money! If you are remodeling with a vision to sell your home in the near future, a designer is a good investment.
Disadvantages of Hiring an Interior Designer
Working with an interior designer can be costly. It’s also a very intimate process. You will be sharing a lot of details of your life with another person. You might end up working together for months — maybe even years. Invest some time into finding the right fit.
For more information on the finest homes of the Palm Beaches, contact a Tauber Real Estate Services specialist at 561-626-4633.