Part 3- Do You Need a Designer?

 

 

I consider myself a pretty ordinary person. I’m not fancy; I’m definitely not cool—just normal. But like most people, I do appreciate nice things, and I wanted my home to feel cozy, welcoming, and put together.

That’s where a designer came in.

Sure, I could have picked out kitchen cabinets and paint colors. I could have answered many of the questions the builder asked along the way. But could I have asked the right questions at the right time? Probably not. I’d never done this before, and I quickly realized how much I didn’t know.

The problem with designers

When people talk about hiring designers, the concerns are pretty consistent:

• They have expensive taste.
• They take over and don’t let you be involved.
• They care more about their social media portfolio than your home.

And yes—those designers exist. I would never work with one of them. This is your house. You should be in control.

 

If you’re considering hiring a designer, ask yourself:

• Are they designing for you, or for their social media feed?
• Can they work within a budget?
• Have you seen one of their finished projects?
• Do you genuinely like their taste?

On a personal note

After some research, I found a designer who was the perfect fit. She had great taste, was hands-on when needed, and most importantly—she worked with us at our pace and within our budget.

Even better, she charged by the hour instead of a flat project fee. That gave us total flexibility. We brought her along for key decisions like granite and kitchen selections but skipped using her for things like electrical meetings. It was completely up to us.

We ended up using her for most of the process, and my total bill came out to around $4,500. No regrets there—she made a huge difference throughout the entire process.

She started by reviewing our plans and offering thoughtful suggestions. She chose our exterior stucco and siding, selected the windows—including some beautiful picture windows (the kind that don’t open but flood the room with natural light)—and helped us pick out tiles, designing stunning niches and accent walls along the way. She designed our entire kitchen layout, guided us in choosing the granite, selected all the paint and stain colors, and even created custom bathroom vanities. She was also involved in planning our deck and stuck with us through the final details, like choosing mirrors and bathroom accessories.

But where she really stood out was in the day-to-day decision-making.

As first-time builders, we were constantly presented with choices and upgrades from every vendor, and honestly, we didn’t always know what was necessary or worth the extra cost. Our designer helped us make sense of it all. For example, when the plumber offered us options like cast-iron pipes or a hot water re-circulator, she broke it down: “This you’ll barely use—it may not be worth the money,” or “Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but it’s one of those upgrades you’ll never regret doing while you still can.”

Her input gave us confidence that we were making informed, practical choices, and that peace of mind was priceless.

 

Thinking of hiring an interior designer? Here’s what you should know

Do you know how your lighting will affect the paint colors? Where your outlets should go? How about the height of your plumbing fixtures?

The average person isn’t expected to know all the layers involved in building a home. That’s where a designer comes in. Not as a luxury, but as someone who’s there to help you make smarter decisions, not more expensive ones.

But here’s something to keep in mind: Some people choose to bring in a designer for a few hours here and there. They can guide you when choosing paint colors, shopping for furniture, or reviewing materials. And while that can be a great option if done smartly, it’s important to know what that setup doesn’t cover.

When a designer isn’t involved in the full project scope (think floor plans, lighting layouts, bathroom features, finish selections, etc.) they’re often working blind. They’re not always looped into key decisions made by your architect, contractor, or builder, which can lead to things falling through the cracks. You might hire a designer to choose furniture, but if your living room layout wasn’t designed to fit the piano from your grandmother that you insist on bringing to the new house, now what? If you ask the designer what dresser to get, but they’re not involved in the color palette of your home, they won’t be able to properly guide you.

When a designer is involved from the start, they’re thinking about flow, function, and all the tiny decisions that make a home work well and feel right. They also help coordinate decisions between trades so things don’t get missed or done out of order. If you’re picking and choosing when to consult your designer, just make sure expectations are clear, and know that the less involved they are, the less bang you get for your designer buck.

 

 

Dini of Dini Weinstock Interior Design is an interior designer specializing in residential and commercial design, with a focus on creating functional and beautiful spaces. Her work ranges from mid-size updates to full-scale renovations, always tailored to reflect each client’s style, needs, and budget.