Being Your Own Interior Designer: Is It as Hard as It Seems

Whether you have purchased a new home or are looking to redecorate your existing one, designing the interior is a critical process to infuse style and make it more liveable and functional.

If your home only requires work in the space-planning and styling areas, then being your own interior designer is certainly an option you may want to consider. But can you really replace a professional interior designer? What responsibilities would it entail? And is it as hard as it seems? Let’s find out.

Being Your Own Interior Designer: What You Need to Know

Interior designing typically involves planning the interior space and determining decorative elements, from color combinations to materials and lighting. In addition, it covers a house’s structural, regulatory, and safety aspects, too.

Attending to the layout-planning and decorative tasks by yourself has several advantages. The most obvious is the cost savings. A professional interior designer can charge $100-$200 per hour, on average, for their services, with high-end ones billing around $500 hourly. This can add up to a substantial amount depending on the work you require done.

Another important upside to designing your interior is the ability to be creative and add your personal touch—undoubtedly a vital factor for many homeowners. On the other hand, finding a professional who matches your style, needs, and budget is not always easy. At times, there could be creative differences, and you may need to make compromises.

When you work on your own, you also get to enjoy a significant level of flexibility. You are under no obligation to complete the project at once. If budgets are tight, you can even work in stages.

Best of all, designing your home’s interior could be extremely rewarding. It is definitely something you can take pride in.

However, keep in mind that it could demand a considerable amount of your attention, especially when you are new to interior designing. But if you are willing to commit the time, the pros of handling your home interior are certainly in your favor.

Today, plenty of online resources are available to get you up to speed on all the essentials in terms of design principles, creative ideas, aesthetic elements, and material usage. Finding suppliers is also easier than it used to be a few decades back. Leadar, for instance, can help you identify local vendors and professional support within seconds.

If you have a creative flair and enjoy getting your hands dirty, you can plan your interior spaces and design the aesthetics with the resources readily at your disposal. Hiring an interior designer would be a prudent option when your home requires complex structural changes.

Do-It-Yourself Interior Design Tips for Your Personal Project

If you have chosen to design your home interior by yourself, effective planning is critical to save time and create a stunning decor that is both functional and beautiful.

Here are the essential steps to follow when creating your dream home.

1. Identify your personal design style

Each homeowner has their own unique taste and style. So, spend some time to understand what yours is if you are not already aware. Do you prefer minimalist designs with clean and simple lines? Or, are you a fan of bright, bold colors for a fun and vibrant feel? Some favor ultra-modern sleek features, while others may enjoy a boho country vibe.

Each of these styles creates a unique character for your home with different color palettes and material combinations. By identifying your likes and preferences, you can effortlessly add a personal touch to your interior.

2. Find inspiration

Even when you have determined your personal style, articulating it into specific design elements could be considerably challenging. The best solution for this is to collect images of home interiors you love from interior decor magazines.

Instagram and Pinterest are also excellent resources to find inspiration. The latter makes it easier for you to collect images by pinning them to a personal Pinterest board.

After gathering a sizeable collection of pictures, use it to identify color themes, patterns, designs, furniture, lighting effects, and other elements that appeal to you.

3. Plan the layout

Take measurements of each room you want to decorate and create a floor plan. Next, design a layout, taking into account the functionality of the room and each piece of furniture you want to include. You can do this on a large paper or with an easy-to-use app or online tool for better visualization.

Consider sizes when determining furniture placement and take note of how you could make the best use of the space available.

Moreover, incorporate design elements into your layout. For instance, identify the color combinations and materials for the walls, curtains, furniture, and rugs. Decorative pieces, including framed photos, artwork, wall hangings, vases, and plants, are also important. Lighting is another essential factor that will add volumes of character to your living spaces.

4. Shop around

Start by preparing a budget so you have a clear idea about your spending limits. Remember, you don’t always need deep pockets to create a comfortable, relaxing interior that reflects your style. You can find plenty of discounted deals if you shop around and time your purchases. Even garage sales and thrift stores might offer some high-quality items at bargain prices.

Custom designing is another option if you want to add a uniquely personal flair. And it doesn’t need to be expensive either. You can, for instance, repurpose an old chest with a new coat of paint and gold knobs or create your own paintings on a canvas to decorate the walls.

Final Thoughts

Designing your home’s interior could be an enjoyable project to handle when you plan it well. Start small with one or two rooms if it is your first attempt.

Don’t just limit yourself to visual elements. Consider how you could engage your other senses, too. For example, integrate different material textures and scents to create your own mark and a relaxing and comfortable ambiance.

Also, ensure the floor layout and design are functional. Ease of access and efficient use of space should be key factors to take into account.