Ever bought a piece of furniture that looked so good in the shop/online shop, but was too big once you got it home? Ever painted three or four times trying to find the right colour palette? It may seem like like an oxymoron because you’re going to have to pay the additional designer’s fee, but the truth is that hiring a designer can help you avoid costly mistakes and help you make design decisions that will increase the value of your home. And if you’re on a tight budget, a designer is going to know how to get the best value out of what you can spend.

Just like hiring a designer will benefit you financially, a designer will also save you on time. A designer already has a trained sense of what needs to be done and when it needs to be done, and they’ll be able to anticipate any obstacles that may come up.

When you hire a trained designer, you get an immediate plan of action for your space. I am a trained architect and interior designer with 12+ years of experience. A trained pair of eyes will see things you’re guaranteed to miss. Interior design is a delicate balance of art and science, and good interior designers have studied both, so they know how to put them together.

A good designer will know how to speak the language when it comes to contractors, and building owners. This is crucial in managing time and money. Strong communication between the interior design and the lighting, furnishing and architecture is absolutely key. For example, proper plug placement is going to depend on how you want your furniture placed. These types of issues should be addressed before any construction, and an interior designer will know exactly which issues need to be brought up.

Everyone knows it’s difficult to find good resources. But designers already work in the world of home improvement, so they’re going to have reliable connections that you may need. Hiring a designer will help you easily find an electrician, plumber, and/or contractor that you can trust. You get all the benefits of a professional with a design education–designers understand how to create a functional space that is also stylish. Plus interior designers often work closely with interior design firms, interior decorators, and more, all whom have formal training. Designers also have access to tons of product and fabric that is not available to the general public. With these resources, an interior designer will create a space for you that looks collected and unique (instead of the big box retailer stuff everyone has in their home).

Interior designers are trained to think creatively and spatially and learn to see an overall picture in an interior space that clients often cannot. Thinking outside of the box when it comes to home decor is what designers do on the regular. Not only will you get a good design sense, but you’ll also get an attention to detail from proper lighting and furniture placement to fabric choices and colour palette and fixture options. A professional interior designer will create and interior that is custom-designed pieces to make sure everything fits perfectly and is truly special to your home. Designers can also get you furniture, fabric, and materials that are trade-only and not accessible to everyone else. People notice a well-designed home. Try to do it by yourself, and you’re stuck juggling the many elements that go into designing that a designer is specifically trained to do so and has the space planning know-how and essential design tools. And when they’re done, not only will your home look beautiful and cohesive, but it’ll be well thought out and highly functional.