The interior design of your house can come together beautifully to create a unique looking home to suit your taste and style. And, if done well, it can actually add value to the sale price, even on the smallest residential project.
The beauty of interior design is that it doesn’t have to be a costly expense. If you know you only have a small budget to work with, then an interior designer can come up with surprising and affordable ways to use what is already on the premises. This allows them to conceive something genuinely distinctive to capture the personality of the homeowners within. If there are conflicting styles at play, then a designer can take the best of both worlds and design something that will please all the residents living in the home.
When it comes to interior design, homeowners are limited by what they see in the stores. Professional interior designers, however, seem to be an unlimited fountain of knowledge and can incorporate their ideas which are backed by the latest trends. They can source items that you may not even realise exist, not to mention, have the know-how to fill that blank space in the far west corner of your lounge room perfectly.
Designers aren’t emotional about their interior design purchases. It is not their home; they are just trying to fill the space using the ideas and the budget available to them, offering professional advice when it seems right. Plus they can handle the tough decisions when you are stuck between choosing which couch cover would go best with what flooring.
Designers can advise on so many facets of new builds and renovations including ceiling trims, artwork, kitchen design, fixtures, colour coordinating and more. They can help you enhance the area, making it seem larger or airier through the use of mirrors and clever colour contrasts, or give it the exact look and feel you seek through bright prints and use of natural plants. They are familiar with local antique stores and furniture shops and may already know what will work well in the space before you do.
We have seen many new builds go horribly wrong thanks to poor interior design and workmanship. Homeowners have spent their money on the actual design and build of the home but have not bothered to come up with a grand plan to furnish the space. What then happens is a mish-mash of ideas which don’t blend well or even suit the property to begin with.
Here are some helpful tips we have collected over the years which may be beneficial to your renovation project:
Know your budget and understand which rooms are your priority in terms of design.
If you can get rid of it – do! Sometimes starting from scratch can be one of the best things to happen.
Don’t be afraid to give each room a personality through clever use of colour and inspiring décor.
Multi-functional pieces work well, particularly in smaller homes.
Experiment with texture to create the look you seek.
Prioritise the design around your lifestyle, not of that seen in a magazine.
Kylie Robertson from Design In (www.designin.com.au) understands that no two clients are alike just as no two houses are alike. She is our go-to interior designer as she has a passion for renovation and creative spaces, just as we do. If you are in the market for colour consultancy (inside and out), interior design or interior décor and styling, then Kylie can definitely help.
Interior design can make the most of the aesthetics and functionality of your residential project. Through an interior designer’s list of contacts, retailers and wholesalers, they can help you stick to your design budget, ultimately increasing the net worth of the home in the process. Because of their unique skills, attention to detail and knack for mixing and matching, they can save you a whole lot of money and stress in the design process.