Design is not a Luxury. It is a Necessity.
The single largest investment you’ll likely make in your lifetime is your home. So, when it comes time to update your home and start a renovation, you don’t want to make mistakes. When you renovate your home, you are doing it for longevity, and the investment is large. This is not something you want to get wrong. The cabinetry, countertops, flooring, tile, millwork, and architectural details are all permanent choices that you will make through the course of your renovation, and it’s important to get them right.
Hiring a designer is also an investment, but when you compare it to the amount you will spend on your renovation, and potential mistakes that could have been avoided, it is a small percentage of the overall cost.
So how exactly will a Designer help you? Designers have a unique skillset when it comes to creating spaces. They don’t just have a ‘knack’. They are skilled, experienced professionals whose only goal is to create a space that functions for you to its fullest capacity. They are knowledgeable in creating floorplans and space plans to maximize efficiency and comfort in order to create spaces unique to your individual needs. When it comes to space planning, they know why things work well and why things don’t. They are knowledgeable about various products and materials in order to make the most practical decisions when it comes to finishes and fixtures for your remodel. They are educated on quality and craftmanship to help you make the most informed decisions when it comes to materials and furnishings.
Designers think about things in a unique way. I consider the transformation we are looking to achieve, and how each piece of the design works toward that goal? How does it fit into the vision, and will it work for the needs of the homeowner? I carefully think about how a space will be used while working out the space plan and functional details. Then each material and finish is thoughtfully curated while thinking about durability and longevity and how they all fit into the design vision.
A Designer will think of things that you likely won’t. Leaving small but important details for someone else to decide can be troublesome. Tradespeople are wonderful at what they do, but they don’t always make the best decisions when it comes to the small details. If you don’t think about the details, someone else will make the decision for you, and it may not be an outcome you are happy with. Plumbing locations, outlet locations, lighting locations, additional wall backing for things like towel bars and floating shelves, fixture placement, cabinetry layout and details, cabinet hardware placement, tile design and layout, grout thickness, trim pieces, furniture placement and so much more.
No remodel should start until a design plan has been created. The design is your instruction manual to start building. With a design plan in place, disasters can be avoided, delays can be avoided, and mistakes can be prevented. You can make sure you have everything you need before you start.
