How much does it cost to hire an interior designer?

For most of us, the cost of a home is a serious investment. We spend weeks or months looking for a house in the right location, that provides the space our families need, and maybe even a little room to grow. We research the school districts in the neighborhood and the commuting time from home to work until we find the right place.

And after that ... we often forget to consider investing in the interior of the home we've just purchased, whether to make the space more functional or to better reflect our style. You can do that yourself, but it will take a lot of time, money, and stress and you may not get the results you want after all.

The solution? Hire an interior designer!

WHY HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER

• Interior designers have access to products (furniture, decor) that you won't find on your own. They can even have items custom-made for you and your space.
• They're professionals. They have the skills, training, and talent to make your vision for your space a reality. You wouldn't hire your friend to do your taxes just because they're good with numbers. To bring your dreams for your home to fruition, hire a team of professionals.
• You may end spending less money in the long run. Who hasn't had the experience of bringing home armfuls of paint swatches, testing out paint samples, and finally painting a room only to discover that in certain lights, the dreamy ocean blue you just applied to your walls looks gray or black? Interior designers have the knowledge and experience to consider aspects like how a room will look at certain times of day, with windows facing certain directions, with a house that is filled with the natural light of sunshine or the shade of your trees. That's a lot to consider!

WHAT, EXACTLY, DOES AN INTERIOR DESIGNER DO?

The short answer: a lot of things! The list below is a little more precise:

• Evaluates floor plans. Is your space being used at maximum functionality or are you sacrificing potential seating space because there's a wall that shouldn't be there? Your designer will be able to see that - and how to replace that misplaced wall.
• Picks color schemes. You won't have to go to a store with a swatch from your drapery to match them to the throw pillows you're looking for. Your designer will work with you to create a whole palette to work with, based on your preferences. No more guesswork and wasted trips to the home store!
• Chooses furniture. Would a sectional fit the space best if your family loves to watch movies together? Or would a cozy reading nook with beautifully upholstered club chairs suit your space and your needs better? Trust a designer to know the answer to that and other questions.
• Selects décor and artwork. Furniture's important to any space, but the space can still feel bland or generic without the right accent pieces. An interior designer can get you original artwork to suit your style as well as fabulous little pieces to go on tables and shelves to add pops of color to your space.
• Considers functionality as well as beauty. Do you need this guest room to serve as a home office most of the time? An interior designer can show you how to meld those two purposes in one beautiful and serviceable space.
• Considers the client's needs and preferences. Hiring a designer doesn't mean that you put all the choices for your home into someone else's hands. An interior designer will work closely with you to make sure your home reflects who you are.

SO I'VE DECIDED TO HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER. WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

• Know your budget. You'll see average costs for interior design work below and it's important to decide (and agree on) how much you want to invest in making your space reflect your style.
• Know your style. Do you wish you lived by the beach and favor blues and weathered grays? Great! Are you allergic to bold prints? Fine! Do you know what you like? That's a harder question to answer than you would think, especially if you've been living for a while in what feels like someone else's space. Check out Pinterest for ideas - there are so many pins to inspire you in so many different styles you're sure to find ones you like. And cut out pictures from magazines as inspirations, too!

HOW MUCH CAN I EXPECT TO SPEND?

Interior designers usually charge by the room or by the hour for their design fees. Average costs for winter 2023:

• $1,000-5,000 per room
• $100-275 per hour

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IF I WORK WITH LISA SCHEFF DESIGNS?

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Lisa Scheff Designs is a full-service design firm. We work on renovations and new construction as well, often allowing a client to plan a space that reflects their lifestyle and aesthetic that's ready for when they move in. Prices are determined per room for Full-Service Design

• cost of a single room design: starts at $4500

• more than three room designs: starts at $15,000

A Full-Service Package includes

• the inspiration call with a designer
• a scope of work and a realistic budget
• space and lighting plans
• design boards with renderings and tear sheets with up to two rounds of revisions
• procurement and expediting of materials with regular updates
• installation day with movers to handle the heavy lifting - and our designers to stage the space worthy of the cover of HGTV magazine

See the "Full-Service Design" page for more details.

Renovations (Kitchens and Bathrooms)

Investment costs begin at $6500 and the package includes:

• the inspiration call with a designer
• a scope of work and a realistic budget
• design boards with renderings and tear sheets and up to two rounds of revisions
• construction documents
• 2D and 3D cabinet elevations
• procurement and expediting of materials with regular updates
• space and lighting plans
• a dedicated project manager to handle contractor scheduling and any issues during construction
• installation day with movers to handle the heavy lifting - and our designers to stage the space

See the "Renovation & New Construction" page for more details.

New Construction, Additions, or Large Renovations

Investments in these types of work start at $15,000 and the package includes:

• the inspiration call with a designer
• a scope of work and a realistic budget
• design boards with renderings and tear sheets with up to two rounds of revisions
• construction documents
• 2D and 3D cabinet elevations
• procurement and expediting of materials with regular updates
• space and lighting plans
• a dedicated project manager to handle contractor scheduling and any issues during construction
• installation day with movers to handle the heavy lifting - and our designers to stage the space

See the "Renovation & New Construction" page for more details.

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Scope of Work

Okay, we've talked though your design fees and you know what to expect, but what what about the actual furnishings, cabinetry, tile? During the Scope of Work phase of your project, we will provide you with a budget for the agreed upon drawings. Room budgets will vary based on square footage and needs, but here are some ranges to give you an idea of what to expect.

Kitchens:

The product budget for a kitchen is going to fall somewhere between $60,000 and $80,000. This is going to account for your cabinetry, backsplash tile, countertops, flooring, lighting, barstools, etc. Our firm does not purchase appliances, but you're also going to want to account for $7,500-10,000 for appliances depending on your needs. Beyond the product, a kitchen renovation will require labor to execute the design. A good team of contractors will cost anywhere from $75,000 - $100,000 for demo and construction. This means that for a kitchen remodel, you should expect to spend $150,000 - $200,000.

Bathrooms:

In a bathroom, product will range from $30,000 - $40,000 depending on the size of the space. This will account for the vanity, sinks, plumbing fixtures, tile, shower fixtures, tub, shower door, etc. Again, you will also need to account for the labor costs to execute that design. We expect bathroom labor to fall between $30,000 and $50,000. This brings a bathroom total to between $50,000 and $90,000.

Family Room:

In a family room, the needs range greatly depending on how you will use the space, if any construction needs to be done, if there is built-in cabinetry, hardwood, wall-to-wall carpeting, etc. But as a rule of thumb, you should expect a budget of $30,000-$50,000. This will include items such as your sofa or sectional, accent chairs, area rugs, decorative lighting, tables, consoles, and accessories.

Bedroom:

Just as with a family room, bedrooms can range in needs as well. Some bedrooms have space for a bed, nightstands and a dresser, while others require a sitting area or a desk. In general, we expect a bedroom budget to fall around $30,000.

The team at Lisa Scheff Designs will make your vision for your home a reality, from top to bottom, windows to floors to art pieces. If you're ready to make your home the oasis you've dreamed it could be, contact us, and we'll be happy to set up an inspiration call!