Home Decorating: Should you Do-It-Yourself or Hire an Expert?

The interior of your home needs a change and you’re not sure what to do. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most people understand that changing the look of your home is never easy, and more often than not, they end up gnawing over the ever-popular question you’re probably asking yourself right now: Do I decorate it myself or do I hire an expert?

It’s no surprise that many people seek professional assistance to ensure they achieve a timeless look in their home. Others, however, prefer to be more hands-on and enjoy the opportunity to create a personalized look with their own hands.

Each option has pros and cons that should be evaluated. Let’s compare the two in hopes of making your decorating dilemma a bit easier.

DIY Home Decorating

Between the television and the internet, we’re bombarded with visuals that provide us with all sorts of inspiration. Perhaps after watching an episode of Fixer Upper, we think to ourselves, “Hey, I can do that!” (Guilty) But honestly, unless your creativity is close to the creativity of Joanna Gaines, getting the exact look you want in your home may prove to be more challenging than not.

There are just some really creative individuals out there who have the knack for creating decorating magic–and it’s something we have to be realistic about. This doesn’t mean you still can’t get your hands dirty, it simply means to know your limits.

Some advantages of DIY include:

1. Less spending on additional costs like consultation, labor, and materials (as long as you shop discount)
2. No questioning on your personal taste
3. Full credit for the job
4. Satisfaction of doing the work yourself

A few disadvantages include:

1. There could be mistakes that you’ll need to fix or live with
2. Decorating errors typically result in more time and money invested
3. DIY takes a lot of personal time

Hiring an Interior Designer or Decorator

First of all, it’s important to understand that an interior designer is not the same as an interior decorator. While they are similar in nature, interior designers have additional knowledge in design aspects such as spatial planning, lighting design, color theory, and architectural renderings. They are also typically skilled in building codes, permitting and zoning regulations, and have been trained in a variety of design applications. To simplify, interior decorators focus on the decorative aspects of an interior space, including furniture selection, textiles, and color. Interior designers focus on that as well, but they also focus on the planning and functional design.

Some advantages of hiring a professional designer or decorator include:

1. You will have access to a wide variety of furnishings, fabrics, and more–many of which are exclusive (not found in the market)
2. Your home will be beautifully decorated and tailored to your lifestyle and personal tastes
3. The materials used will be quality
4. Less room for error

Disadvantages include:

1. More expensive
2. You’ll have to share some personal details about your lifestyle to ensure a proper design (this may only be a problem if you’re an extremely private person)
3. You and the professional may clash. Don’t be afraid to replace them if necessary, and when possible, seek out recommendations from friends and families.

Blending the Two

Did you know that you can actually do some of the work yourself and hire a professional for the rest? Many experts can be hired to serve as a guide, offering their help and advice so things end up smoothly. The best ways to do this are to find a professional who is willing to be hired by the hour, work with a virtual designer, and visit stores that offer free interior design consultations.

So, what camp do you fall in? DIY, pro, or both? Whichever you choose, be sure to check out our custom furniture, fabrics, pillows, and rugs before you begin your project in-store or online.