How (and Why) to Hire an Interior Designer
When planning a home renovation or redesign, many homeowners wonder: Should I hire an interior designer? It’s a fair question. With endless inspiration available online, it might seem like you can manage on your own. But the truth is, working with a professional designer is about far more than choosing fabrics or colours — it’s about creating a home that truly works for you, while saving time, stress, and money.
As an interior designer in south London specialising in residential projects, I’ve helped many clients turn uncertainty into confidence. If you’re curious about whether to bring in professional design support, here’s a guide to why hiring an interior designer is worth it, and how to go about it.
Why Hire an Interior Designer?
Professional expertise - interior designers understand space, light, flow, and proportion. We see the bigger picture — and we know how to translate your ideas into a cohesive vision that feels polished and personal.
Save time and stress - home projects can be very overwhelming. Between choosing finishes, sourcing furniture, and coordinating contractors, the decisions add up fast. Managing the installation of a project is all consuming and can be a full-time job in itself. We take on all coordination, working with and regularly checking on the on-site team to ensure the project’s success.
Avoid costly mistakes - interior design can be seen as unaffordable, but in truth there is much more to it than that. Interior designers can actually save clients time and money, whether that’s through trade discounts or avoiding costly mistakes. A sofa that doesn’t fit through the door. A paint colour that looks dull in natural light. A kitchen layout that feels awkward. These mistakes are common — and expensive. Working with a designer prevents missteps and ensures your investment is well spent.
Guide you through the process - we frequently manage projects which require planning or building control permissions. We can guide you through the process of acquiring these permissions and acquire contractors on your behalf by translating the design into manageable construction/installation steps from which contractors understand the job details.
How to Hire an Interior Designer
Define your needs and budget - consider what you want from your project. Is it a full home renovation, a kitchen redesign, or simply a single-room refresh? Do you need complete project management, or just creative input? Honey & Toast Interiors can provide a full design service, from design to procurement and installation, or consultancy services if you would prefer more of a creative guidance approach.
Understanding your budget, though, is absolutely crucial as this informs everything. Not many people are aware that construction pricing has increased a lot over recent year and it is worth bearing this in mind when considering contractor quotations.
Research designers - at Honey & Toast Interiors, we lean towards an eclectic, characterful aesthetic - though that can mean different things in different contexts. It is important to find a designer whose style resonates with yours and has experience of working on similar projects. Rapport is also key - the interior design journey is an intimate one - we are literally in the innermost parts of your personal life and it is essential that there is a mutual affinity from both a design and personal perspective.
Arrange a consultation - we offer a complimentary initial telephone conversation to understand your project requirements. We listen to you intently and want to understand at its deepest level frustrations with your current home setup, your lifestyle and preferred aesthetic. These elements are key to unlocking the first steps in the design journey - though the real design process starts after an initial call.
Understand the process - it's important to consider how involved you wish to be in the design process and if there are commitments that might hinder this. At Honey & Toast Interiors, we prefer to work closely with you to ensure all your needs are met and that the end result reflects you through and through - though of course we understand the pressures of everyday life. It’s helpful, though, to earmark time to go through design iterations and make decisions to ensure the project progresses smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Hiring an interior designer isn’t about handing over control — it’s about having a trusted expert to guide you, make the process smoother, and elevate the end result. Whether you’re planning a small update or a full renovation, working with a designer can save you stress, protect your budget, and create a home you’ll truly love.
If you’re thinking about your next project and wondering whether to hire an interior designer, we would love to help you explore the possibilities. Please contact us for more information.