Is Hiring A Designer REALLY Worth It?
I hope your week is off to a great start! Whether you’re daydreaming about your next home project or about to embark on a full-on renovation, today we’re talking about something most homeowners face:
Hiring an Interior Designer vs. Doing A DIY Project.
Both have their perks! So let’s break it down and see what works best for you (and your space).
Why You Might Want to Call in the Pros
Here’s why designers are worth considering:
1. Time Savers
Let’s face it: life is busy.
Designers take the stress away by managing the whole process—everything from brainstorming the vision to coordinating deliveries and installations.
They know where to find what you need and they can do it all so fast. You get the exact style you want without spending hours scrolling through Pinterest or trekking through endless home stores.
Credit: Photo by Anson Smart. Styled by Jack Milenkovic.
2. Access To Resources
Interior designers have access to trade-only suppliers, custom furniture makers, and exclusive decors that are not available to the general public.
It’s like a VIP pass to the design world.
3. Expert Knowledge
Designers have years of experience and training that you don’t have to learn the hard way. They know what will work in your space from layout to color combinations to lighting.
If you want to skip the mistakes and get it right the first time, hiring a designer is the way to go.
Credit: Interior Design by Susan Skornicka. Photo by John Merkl
Pro Tip: Be clear about your budget and expectations from the get-go. Designers are pros at working within constraints and will still deliver amazing results.
The Case Against Hiring a Designer
While hiring a designer has its perks, there are a few things to consider before committing:
1. Expense
Hiring a good designer doesn’t come cheap. Fees can easily start at $5,000 per room, and for more complex projects, the cost can climb even higher. While their expertise is valuable, it’s not always a feasible option for every budget.
2. Finding the Right Fit
Designers bring experience, but finding one who truly understands your vision and aesthetic can be challenging. If expectations aren’t aligned, the final result might feel more like the designer’s signature style than your own.
But Wait… DIY Is Awesome Too!
Now, if you’re a hands-on kind of person (or just love a weekend project), DIY can be incredibly rewarding. Here’s why:
1. Budget Friendly
DIY is much kinder to your wallet (unless you mess it up a million times and have to go back to purchase the same materials!).
You can tackle updates at your own pace, shop sales, and choose where to splurge and where to save. From selecting paint colors to picking the perfect sofa or finding affordable decor, it’s all in your control.
There isn’t anything more satisfying than creating something beautiful without breaking the bank.
Credit: Photo by Belle Morizio
DIY IDEA: For a quick DIY and a fun pop of color, try spray painting an affordable light fixture. I love how they transformed this brass chandelier from Amazon by spray painting it in a bold red hue, perfectly complementing the cottage-core toile wallpaper.
2. Creative Control
The vision is 100% yours. There’s no back-and-forth or compromise. From furniture selection to wall art, you make every decision.
Your style. Your way.
Credit: Photo by Emily Sudlow
DIY IDEA: If you’re feeling bold, paint a mural as a bedhead like this design that flares out from the bed frame and onto adjacent walls!
Credit: Photo by Alicia Waite
I hope your week is off to a great start! Whether you’re daydreaming about your next home project or about to embark on a full-on renovation, today we’re talking about something most homeowners face:
Hiring an Interior Designer vs. Doing A DIY Project.
Both have their perks! So let’s break it down and see what works best for you (and your space).
Why You Might Want to Call in the Pros
Here’s why designers are worth considering:
1. Time Savers
Let’s face it: life is busy.
Designers take the stress away by managing the whole process—everything from brainstorming the vision to coordinating deliveries and installations.
They know where to find what you need and they can do it all so fast. You get the exact style you want without spending hours scrolling through Pinterest or trekking through endless home stores.
Credit: Photo by Anson Smart. Styled by Jack Milenkovic.
2. Access To Resources
Interior designers have access to trade-only suppliers, custom furniture makers, and exclusive decors that are not available to the general public.
It’s like a VIP pass to the design world.
3. Expert Knowledge
Designers have years of experience and training that you don’t have to learn the hard way. They know what will work in your space from layout to color combinations to lighting.
If you want to skip the mistakes and get it right the first time, hiring a designer is the way to go.
Credit: Interior Design by Susan Skornicka. Photo by John Merkl.
Pro Tip: Be clear about your budget and expectations from the get-go. Designers are pros at working within constraints and will still deliver amazing results.
The Case Against Hiring a Designer
While hiring a designer has its perks, there are a few things to consider before committing:
1. Expense
Hiring a good designer doesn’t come cheap. Fees can easily start at $5,000 per room, and for more complex projects, the cost can climb even higher. While their expertise is valuable, it’s not always a feasible option for every budget.
2. Finding the Right Fit
Designers bring experience, but finding one who truly understands your vision and aesthetic can be challenging. If expectations aren’t aligned, the final result might feel more like the designer’s signature style than your own.
But Wait… DIY Is Awesome Too!
Now, if you’re a hands-on kind of person (or just love a weekend project), DIY can be incredibly rewarding. Here’s why:
1. Budget Friendly
DIY is much kinder to your wallet (unless you mess it up a million times and have to go back to purchase the same materials!).
You can tackle updates at your own pace, shop sales, and choose where to splurge and where to save. From selecting paint colors to picking the perfect sofa or finding affordable decor, it’s all in your control.
There isn’t anything more satisfying than creating something beautiful without breaking the bank.
Credit: Photo by Belle Morizio
DIY IDEA: For a quick DIY and a fun pop of color, try spray painting an affordable light fixture. I love how they transformed this brass chandelier from Amazon by spray painting it in a bold red hue, perfectly complementing the cottage-core toile wallpaper.
2. Creative Control
The vision is 100% yours. There’s no back-and-forth or compromise. From furniture selection to wall art, you make every decision.
Your style. Your way.
Credit: Photo by Emily Sudlow
DIY IDEA: If you’re feeling bold, paint a mural as a bedhead like this design that flares out from the bed frame and onto adjacent walls!
Credit: Photo by Alicia Waite
DIY IDEA: Check out this bedroom where they’ve done decorative stripe painting instead of wallpaper! I love that it’s clearly hand-painted. It adds so much character to the space!
3. Learn New Skills
DIY projects are like a mini education in home improvement. From painting to furniture assembly to creating a cohesive space, you’ll pick up skills you can use again and again.
And let’s be honest—there’s a certain pride that comes with saying, “I did this myself!”
Pro Tip: Decorating doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. Start with one room and create a mood board to visualize your ideas. Then, tackle the project step by step. Sometimes even simple updates, like new hardware or a fresh coat of paint, can make a massive difference!
There’s A Middle Ground!!
Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
If you’re not ready to fully commit to a designer but also don’t want to go entirely solo, consider enrolling in an online design course.
We’ve got our Practical Home Design course, which offers step-by-step guidance to help you transform any space into your dream home without confusion or hefty designer fees. You’ll learn everything from design principles to color theory to practical applications that will make your home beautiful within your budget.
And of course, you can keep learning from our videos over on our YouTube channel!
So… Which Should You Choose?
Here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can mix and match!
Learn design basics (and the step-by-step process) with our [Practical Home Design] course. You can tackle projects with confidence and a solid foundation in design principles!
Hire a designer for complex tasks such as structural changes, custom joineries, or kitchen reno.
DIY the fun stuff like painting, decorating, or assembling furniture!
Struggling with decorating your home?
Check out some of our templates and resources.
Or check out my Practical Home Design course where I cover a step-by-step process so you, yourself can confidently make your own choices and design a home that you’ll love. There's roughly 3 hours of video content, and I'll also provide you with guides, handbooks, templates, and a bunch of resources to aid your learning.
See you in a fortnight!
Reynard Lowell