You’ve searched social media for hours, wandered the aisles of your favorite home goods and decor shops (or scoured their online stores), and put together your best attempt at a mood board. In theory, you should be ready to tackle your redecorating project—but perhaps it hasn’t fully come together. Maybe that cohesive vision hasn’t quite developed, or the decisions suddenly seem overwhelming. So, what’s the best way to make sure you get what you really want?

For even the most creative minds and fashion-forward eyes, hiring an interior designer can help you make that project come to life. Designers are able to do everything from space planning and furniture layouts to new cabinetry designs and fabric selection, says Linda Coin, a Sanibel, Florida-based interior designer who works with Decorating Den Interiors, a network of individually owned and operated interior design franchises throughout the U.S. and Canada. And even though “the process of hiring a designer can be daunting or even a little intimidating for those that have never worked with one in the past,” she acknowledges, the benefits are well worth it.

Here are 6 reasons why you might want to work with an interior designer—for projects large and small.

Interior designers are often professionally trained

Interior designers have, in general, spent years educating themselves—there are a number of two- and four-year degrees for the industry in the U.S.—as well as honing their ability to conceive of and, importantly, execute projects. If you’re working with a professional, it’s very likely you won’t end up with a beautiful design that ultimately isn’t feasible or, say, a piece of furniture that won’t even fit through your front door.

“Designers inherently have the ability to envision a project and understand how to bring it to fruition,” Coin says. They’re skilled at all phases of a project: The early stages of identifying a client’s needs and desires, developing a budget, fleshing out a workable design, and delivery and installation.

Designers bring fresh eyes and unexpected ideas

“A designer will not only bring their expertise and knowledge to a project, but also fresh eyes,” says Coin. The best designers will be able to identify the potential of a space or its inherent pain points immediately, and then provide creative solutions.

It may take a neutral party to confirm that, in fact, all of the furniture you inherited from your in-laws doesn’t work very well. Ta-ta, stained sectional sofa! Or you might be surprised that a beautiful vintage table you haven’t been sure what to do with could actually swoop in to steal the show as a bathroom vanity. Hello, chic up-cycle.

They’re more likely to make sure your gorgeous space is actually functional

One of the most important parts of the design process is getting to know the client, says Coin. She does this through careful listening, observation, and note-taking during the initial meetings, when style, palette, and goals for the project are discussed. She, like many designers, makes sure to ask a series of questions to cover as much ground as possible about aesthetics as well as the anticipated use and function of a space.

Topics like frequency of use, anticipated changes in the family structure, and favorite patterns or colors are important to discuss, to ensure that a space will meet your needs and taste for years to come. “The rooms need to function well, but also look beautiful, too!” she stresses.

You’ll get access to their insider network of tradespeople

One of the biggest advantages of hiring a designer is their knowledge of the finest craftsmen, the most careful contractors, and the most reliable subcontractors. If you’ve thought about hiring a contractor to do your kitchen renovation, you may have found yourself immediately overwhelmed by figuring out whom to choose—and then trying to decipher who can actually get the job done, or who will even take your project.

Coin points out that designers “typically have access to contacts and competent craftsmen that they can recommend and oversee during the project.” That way, you don’t have to worry about whether your new cabinets will arrive on time or if the tiling has been executed correctly.
They can commission custom elements not readily available to the public

“Designers are truly only limited by their imaginations,” Coin explains, and the design options they can come up with are “almost limitless.” Thanks to their access to custom cabinetry, fabrics, wall coverings, furniture pieces, case goods, light fixtures, and more, they’ll know where to have a bespoke rug made that perfectly complements your space, or draw up the closet of your dreams.

You’ll get it right, once and for all

“I have heard from clients upon meeting them that this time they ‘just want to get it right’ after spending much time and resources attempting to create the environment they are looking for on their own,” Coin says. And there’s no question about it: Doing things yourself means taking on a lot of risk, and there’s no guarantee that it will come out the way you anticipated. (Not to mention the time you’re spending to make everything come together or the stress of figuring things out when they don’t go as planned).

Working with a designer means that the refresh will be well thought out from the get-go, emphasizes Coin, and the resulting spaces “can truly enhance one’s day-to-day living.”

Why Hiring an Interior Designer Is Worth It? by Kate Reggev | Elle Decor