Interior Design – Don’t knock it until you try it!

16 May Interior Design – Don’t knock it until you try it!

One of the many benefits to working with integrated design firms, like DOS Design Group, is that we have an in-house interior design team that will work alongside the building designers, contractors as well as you, to ensure your home is as comfortable as possible. Many people decide that they will handle the interior design themselves thinking that it will save them money when in fact going that route often will cost you more money. Often in the end, these same people will spend even more money either hiring a designer after the project has begun or by buying products and then discovering they don’t quite fit their vision. 

What exactly is Interior Design? 

Interior Design is the process of creating an ergonomic space for the interior of your home. At its base is Space, Form and Function. Everything from space planning to lighting design, millwork and material selections. A designer will ensure that your interiors reflect your style while also making the space functions seamlessly in your day-to-day life.

Can I save money by just doing it myself? 

In short – No! Working with an interior designer allows you to see your completed vision before you purchase any materials. They will ensure that your colors, lighting and textures do not clash with one another. Also an interior designer knows more about current materials and finishes than any google search would ever produce. All of this works together to ensure that you are not purchasing things that you will end up hating once it arrives thus saving on construction costs and time. It also allows us to get you the best prices possible as we work with our suppliers directly. An interior designer will also ensure that the products you are purchasing stand behind their name. In other words, any products used in your home not only are reputable but will respect their warranties rather than trying to find loopholes. In general, working with an interior designer will likely cost about 5-10% of building costs for smaller projects and 2% for larger projects. 

My friend says they can do it cheaper… 

Maybe they can but there are other benefits than just saving money. For example, we have been educated in how best to design your interior in order to get the most positive effect on your mood. Looking at things like the color temperature of your lighting and how it works with your location, your design and of course you personally. We can also determine how the light comes into the home and which rooms need more light than others. Everything from spatial set up, to lighting, to color temperature can have an affect on your mood without you noticing it. Consider what has gone on for the last two years with the pandemic. More and more people are working from home and discovering that their mental health is taking a hit. During the last two years we have seen clients asking for renovations to have a space where they can work separate from their living area. Not just to ensure privacy from kids and pets while working but also to ensure they truly have downtime when they are off the clock, something that is so important to our mental health. 

Functions for you!

On top of our mental health, using an interior designer can actually be beneficial to our physical health by ensuring that the products used are green and produce as little off-gassing as possible. Off-gassing when a product is made with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that release gasses into the environment that are harmful to us. For example, when you purchase a new car and it has that new car smell, that is actually chemicals you are breathing in. Eventually that smell goes away but some products off-gas for their entire lifespan. We can work with you to ensure that the products and style you love are not producing harmful chemicals. 

Interior Designers can work with you and your team to ensure that every part of the interior of your home functions for you! It’s more than just the designer drawing what you tell them you want. They will provide you with options, communicate with your contractors and make sure you are getting the best products for your budget. Just because you can do it yourself doesn’t mean you should.