02/04/2025
Here are my top 7 reasons why hiring a designer might not be the best investment for you (at this time).
Wait, what? Aren’t you a designer who wants clients to hire you?
Yes I am. And I also only work with the RIGHT clients, for whom hiring a designer is a no-brainer.
And believe me, there’s nothing wrong with DIY if that’s your thing! (I mean, I love this work enough to do it every day, so by all means - have at it!) So for as many amazing benefits as there are to hiring a designer, there are times when it just doesn’t make sense.
Such as:
1.) You want your home to look like it came out of a trending catalogue, like Pottery Barn or RH Modern.
Retailers like this offer complementary design services, so if you’re only interested in their products, there’s no reason to hire a designer. A designer will source from multiple vendors, including some that don’t sell to the public. Aesthetically, one of the benefits to hiring a designer is that you get a look that’s uniquely yours, and not replicable by shopping at a popular retailer. So if the retail catalogue look is what you want, you’ll get more bang for your buck shopping there.
2.) You’re not interested in bespoke or heirloom furnishings.
Not everyone needs or wants their sofa to last 10-20+ years, or desires custom design & upholstery options. Bespoke furnishings are designed specifically for your space, with your favorite upholstery & just the right proportions both for the room & your comfort. These pieces are also built to last through family functions and daily wear & tear. But this isn’t for everyone and that’s totally fine. In this case, there’s no need to hire a professional with access to exclusive trade-only pieces. An off-the-shelf sofa or accent chair can do just fine.
3) You’re looking for a personal shopper.
While yes, a designer will source products for you, this is only part of the service they offer. Successful ex*****on of this aspect of the project is dependent on all other aspects - everything else they bring to the table. The pieces your designer specifies for you depend on a great number of factors including assessing your lifestyle needs; optimization of flow & function of your home; health & wellness requirements (e.g. allergies or chemical sensitivities); a fully developed design concept of the space, taking into consideration things like the architecture of your home as well as an in-depth personal exploration of who you and your family are & what you value; complete project management services to ensure the final installation is true to the initial design intent.
4) You just want help "tying it all together” or looking for that final accent piece.
The biggest benefit of hiring a designer is having a cohesive, professionally designed and furnished space, from concept to installation. Truth be told, the time it takes for a designer to work with all your existing furniture & wrap up the details for you is essentially the same as having them design the space from scratch. So it’s neither cost-effective for you, nor a good use of a designer’s time. Designers worth their salt rarely take on this type of work. So in this scenario, your best bet is to find a retail store that fits your style and engage their free design services to help you complete the design with an accessories package, or help you find that perfect accent piece to complete the space.
5) You need your space finished ASAP, like right before the holiday season or for a big family event.
To truly do your project justice, the design process alone easily takes three to six months. Then, the lead time for furniture purchased through a designer will be anywhere from 12 weeks to six months. This is because most of the pieces will be made to order, often outside the US, then shipped to a receiving warehouse for full inspection prior to delivery to your home. Some “quick ship” items are typically available with shorter lead times, however you’ll be selecting from a limited number of upholstery options, custom sizing won’t be available, etc. In this case, you can either have the furnishings you truly desire by allowing for extra time, or, look to a retail store that offers design services. Retail stores are designed to sell you furniture ASAP, and typically have stock available.
6) You and your partner/spouse have not discussed your goals, vision, or finances prior to engaging a designer.
Working with a designer requires making a number of big decisions in a timely & cohesive way. It’s always a shame when a couple spends the time & money to hire a designer, just to find that they have irreconcilable ideas about aesthetics or the financial investment. While a good designer will coach you through major project decisions, it’s still up to you & your partner to find some common ground before starting. If not, the process can result in costly re-designs or worse - a cancelled project after a significant initial investment. Design fees are non-refundable (as are most furniture purchases) so getting on the same page early is critical.
7) You have an abundance of time & energy (and patience) to order and project manage furniture deliveries on your own.
Many clients underestimate what it takes to oversee the order, delivery & installation phase. It’s not uncommon for deliveries to be delayed, pieces to arrive with the wrong finish, or damaged, especially when ordering from retail vendors. This means lots of calls to customer service & managing returns on your own. A designer handles all this for you, making the process feel effortless. Your designer will ship all the pieces to their warehouse for inspection & storage until everything is ready to be delivered. This way, your furniture is installed in a single day; no endless unpacking & rearranging every time a piece arrives. Not to mention varying levels of efficiency & professionalism from the delivery crew. Then, there’s the proper hanging of art, installation of window treatments, moving the sofa when the rug arrives, etc, etc… Clients often run out of time and motivation, abandoning the project halfway when they try to DIY it. But if you have the time & bandwidth, it’s by no means an impossible task, just a long & tedious one.
So there you have it. In a nutshell, design is a luxury service - and I don’t mean financially. It’s the level of care & consideration your designer invests in you & your home. In getting to know you. Understanding who you are & what lights you up. Tending to technical details. And managing minutia you have no time or interest in.
It’s about the level of service they provide throughout the process, not just the beautiful & unique end result. Clients who don’t want this level of consideration & attention to detail have plenty of alternatives, as mentioned above. But if you value working with someone who’s truly invested in you and your home, investing in bespoke full-service design isn’t even a question.
