You might be planning an update to a room or space and your budget is limited and you are thinking that you can save money by copying a photo you found on Pinterest and do it yourself, but will the end result be worth it? Your home may well be your biggest asset and you want to make sure you are increasing its value with every project.

9 reasons why you DO need an interior designer:

1. A good designer has trained for years and understands the principles and elements of interior design. Check into their training & qualifications and see if they are licensed by the state. How long they have been in business is also a good indication of how competent they are. If you just need help picking colors, you may be OK with a friend who is just starting out and has a really good eye for design, but no formal training. If you are working on a kitchen or bathroom, you absolutely need someone with more experience and training.
2. They will be realistic about your construction / furniture budget. They will tell you what you should expect to be spending for what you want. They will be able to suggest compromises if your budget is lower. A good designer will not be specifying anything custom if that is really not in your budget range. They will advise on when to splurge and where to save.
3. They will come up with ideas you hadn't even thought of. The small details can be what makes a great design. Good enough is the antithesis of great.
4. They have access to local tradespeople and services in a range of budgets and will organize exactly who you need and when, potentially saving time and money on the project.
5. They will save you money. They have access to exclusive trade only resources and may even pass on their trade discounts. This can be anything from furniture to tile. they will also be able to advise on more cost effective solutions and where savings can be made. The cost of services may end up paying for itself. Expensive mistakes can be avoided.
6. They will save you time. You may be happy to spend days looking for the perfect finish, but they will do it in much less time and do it better. Overall, what seems a simple project can be incredibly time consuming for someone inexperienced and you need to be accessible and on top of things when there are tradespeople asking you questions.
7. They will save your sanity - and maybe your marriage. Any kind of project is going to be full of decisions and direction. If one partner becomes the 'designer', the other one is going to fall into the role of client, and this imbalance can cause multiple arguments. A good designer will be able to steer a compromise so you are both happy and take the pressure off.
8. Copying a photo may seem easy at first, but it doesn't always work out as well as the original, especially if you have a slightly different layout or proportions. And do you really want an exact copy of someone else's bathroom, or would you prefer for it to be personalized to you?
9. For some projects, kitchens and baths especially, there are so many pitfalls, space adjacencies, code requirements and coordination needs that you would instantly benefit from a professional's skills. Why spend all your hard earned money and run the risk of headaches along the way?