Nearly everyone these days does their interior design by themselves. They say; why contact an interior designer when I can do it myself. They think interior design just has to do with painting a space and arranging furniture pieces in it. So even a gateman could claim to be an interior designer because he painted and arranged the furniture pieces in his space by himself.
Interior design goes beyond just painting and arranging furniture pieces in a space. It is both a science and an art. The art aspect has to do with the innate creativity of individuals. It can be considered a science because it has elements and principles that need to be learned professionally and not inborn. So it takes a great investment of time and resources to learn the science of interior design and master the art. An interior designer is therefore a person who has been trained and is abreast with the science and art of interior design. The need for an interior designer cannot be overemphasized.
What interior designers do and why we need an interior designer
“Interior designers make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining first, the spatial requirements of its occupants, the functional needs of a space, and selecting the right materials to meet these needs. They must be able to draw, read, and edit blueprints. They also must be aware of building codes, inspection regulations, and other considerations, such as accessibility standards.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, interior designers engage in the following:
i. Search for and bid on new projects
ii. Determine the client’s goals and requirements for the project
iii. Consider how the space will be used and how people will move through the space
iv. Sketch preliminary design plans, including electrical and partition layouts
v. Specify materials and furnishings, such as lighting, furniture, wall finishes, flooring, and plumbing fixtures
vi. Create a timeline for the interior design project and estimate project costs
vii. Place orders for materials and oversee the installation of design elements
viii. Oversee construction and coordinate with general building contractors to implement the plans and specifications for the project
ix. Visit the site after the project is complete, to ensure that the client is satisfied.
Here are some reasons why we need an interior designer:
1. Time-Saving: hiring an interior designer saves more time compared to doing a Do It Yourself job. This is because an interior designer is familiar with the elements and principles of interior design and won’t take so much time to come up with an interior design plan for a space.
2. Saves cost: hiring an interior designer will save you money. This is because interior designers are trained to work within the budget of a project. Secondly, the cost of trial and error jobs due to inexperience will be avoided.
3. Chic and functional interior space: an interior designer is abreast with both the science and art of interior design and would be able to come up with an aesthetically pleasing and functional space. An inexperienced individual in interior design will struggle to arrive at an aesthetically pleasing and functional space.
From the foregoing, we can see that interior design is a profession that requires expertise and not a layman’s job. Hiring an interior designer is a good decision to make if you desire an exceptional interior space.
