Deciding on which professional to onboard to make your interior design dreams a reality can be a difficult task, especially when you’re not even sure what any of them actually have to contribute. You might hire luxury interior designers for a job that would’ve been better suited for a design company or vice versa. Understanding your project is the first step in your design journey, and then onboarding the appropriate professional will become a far simpler task.
People often underestimate, or overestimate, the capabilities of interior designers, so before you assign a job too big for an individual, let’s decipher their role in your projects and determine when it might be time to think bigger than an individual.
It may come as a surprise, but interior designers are responsible for far more than simply arranging and colour-coding your decor. People often confuse interior designers with interior decorators, as that is what interior decorators do. Interior designers are essentially architects for the internal layout of your home and work closely with qualified architects to ensure your vision is realistically achievable. You will find they not only prioritise aesthetics but also functionality and spatial planning. This is no easy feat, as they have a number of things to consider in order to ensure safety, compliance, visual appeal, functionality, and adherence to your personal guidelines.
Their responsibilities include:
The spatial requirements of everything in the home is met, and it all fits seamlessly and the space is usable and not cluttered.
Supply and logistical problems that arise and ensuring you stay within budget and timeframe.
Design firms are the ideal choice for those seeking comprehensive, high-quality service and cohesive project management. They hit the ground running when starting with your project and maintain a high level of performance throughout. There are a number of key benefits you can enjoy as their client.
Even the most meticulously planned project can present unprecedented challenges, and design firms are much better equipped to tackle these quickly and efficiently. They have access to more resources and can typically keep up with unexpected increases or changes in workloads. The best part about this is that they work to ensure the performance and quality of the service you receive is not compromised as a result of emerging obstacles.
As with everything, there are some downsides to consider. While it depends on your individual journey and circumstances whether these are cons or not, let’s explore some of the most notable ones.
In order for design firms to uphold their standard and quality, they make full use of all their designers. Sharing insights and expertise amongst designers ensures they have an abundance of creative input and can settle on a truly magnificent final decision.
This can often mean there is a long wait time to get started on your project. It can also mean that they are not available all hours of the day to discuss new inspirations, updates, or changes. Not that your interior designer will be at your beck and call 24/7; it’s just easier to get away with a quick, unscheduled call with a freelancer than it is with a firm.
Much like with design firms, there are definitely upsides to working with freelance designers. It’s essential to know what they are so you can make an informed decision that prioritises your personal needs and expectations.
There is a significant price difference when opting for a freelance designer. Understand that these individuals, though qualified, don’t necessarily have a steady flow of work coming in, and in order to reel in clients, they offer lower rates. And why not? They have the capacity to do so as they are not burdened by extortionate operating costs or having to pay a group of employees.
This does sometimes come at the price of requiring multiple freelancers, as not all can offer a comprehensive service backed by a history of success.
Despite their cost effectiveness, there are a number of cons to keep in mind when it comes to freelance interior designers.
Contrary to design firms, there’s no way to guarantee the work freelancers produce is up to par. They might be able to provide you with their portfolio; however, this is not an establishment, and the individual has less to lose when it comes to delivering substandard work. In some cases, this is a pure lack of knowledge or interest, and in others, it’s because of insufficient experience. What makes this such a gamble is that these inadequacies often only become evident after the project has already commenced, and by then you’ve already invested in this exchange.
As London’s foremost lifestyle and furniture house, FCI London boasts more than four decades of experience with renowned luxury interiors across the UK and Europe. Our arsenal of knowledge, resources, and connections will transform your design goals into outstanding realities.
We have a dedicated team of award-winning design experts who are available to discuss your vision any day of the week and take you on a mesmerising tour through our 30,000-square-foot showroom.
Come and enjoy free on-site parking as you browse the best of 700+ luxury brands our sample library has to offer. You will also be pleasantly surprised by our various complementary services like project planning, 3D Rendering, special discounts and a signature personalised service that’s fit for royalty.
Book your appointment today!
If you need advice on your layout, then take advantage of our free interior design consultation. Simply make an appointment to visit our award-winning showroom and our expert team will walk you through all your options.
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