Interior Design has long been plagued by a variety of myths, a direct result of misinformation and unawareness regarding the profession. From budget to expenses to qualifications, it has been steadily difficult to warrant the need for an interior designer. Often, potential clients have driven away from actively pursuing an Interior Designer due to the myths attached to his profession. This piece is an attempt to debunk some of the myths that surround the practice of Interior Design.
1. Interior Design is just a process of selections and decoration.
The role of an interior designer extends further beyond making fabric selections and choosing paint colors for walls. An interior designer ensures the process of beautification of your home without compromising on its functionality and safety. The scope of work is inclusive of planning effective layouts for space, reading architectural blueprints, and being cognizant of building regulations and codes.
2. Hiring an Interior Designer is expensive.
The practical aspects of a project such as requirements and budgets are well understood and taken into consideration by most designers. Every project can find a suitable designer to fit with its budgets – ranging from high budget luxury to modest functionality. Most designers aim to work within the given range and eventually prove to be a worthy investment when the project is done well in the first attempt.
Designers also provide consultancy and selection services to spruce up your space for projects with limited budgets.
3. Interior Design can be done by anyone.
Yes, anyone who has a good taste and an eye for design can initiate the process of home design. However, an interior designer brings expertise and experience to a project that ensures the project is completed well. Additionally, a designer opens up a world of possibilities, keeps things moving on a project, and provides cost-effective solutions in every step of the process.
4. Interior Design does not require any structural knowledge whatsoever.
Interior design, as the name suggests, largely deals with the aesthetic enhancement of interior spaces on completion of the building construction. However, if the interior layout demands an alteration of the existing walls, the designer must be well versed with structural knowledge. Any civil changes in the process of interior design must be done ensuring the safety of the residents and consideration of building regulations.
5. It is not necessary to think about interior design from the beginning of the project.
Any successful building project establishes the architecture and interior design to respond to each other and work in tandem. It is therefore important to keep the nature of interior space in mind during the construction stage. This ensures a quality interior space that is not hampered by any structural conditions, lack of daylight or ventilation, and aids to the functionality for the residents.
6. Interior design is not for modest homes.
Every home, whether big or small, can be designed to create a beautiful living environment for its users. As mentioned above, many designers can work and create homes within fixed budgets, keeping in mind the needs and tastes of their clients. Every designer loves a good challenge – and the opportunity to come up with ingenious solutions on how to create a living haven even within modest space and budget.
7. Interior Design means following the latest trends in Home Design.
The world of design is constantly changing and ever-evolving. Markets are flooded with new designs and seasonal trends, that may look good for a few years but do not age as beautifully. It is always recommended to keep abreast of emerging trends but a good design is timeless that creates a pleasant space for the client for years. Designers and clients need to handpick what is beneficial to their mutual goal without blindly following market trends.
8. Interior Designers impose their taste.
Everyone aspires to have a home that is their personal haven – that reflects and caters to their liking and imagination. Most designers begin their process of design by attempting to understand and therefore materialize the client’s aspirations for their home. A designer can use their refined taste to make selections on behalf of the client, effectively guiding the client to choose what is best for the project.
9. Functionality is not an important aspect of Interior Design.
It is a common myth that interior design means to decorate one’s home with expensive furniture and upholstery. Beautiful design also has a notorious reputation for being treated as sacrosanct. Naturally, it creates a certain air around its usability owing to these factors. However, home designers understand that a successfully designed home has to be visually appealing but functional. One can convey specific requirements such as pet friendliness or handicap friendliness that can be integrated within the home design.
10. A design renovation means complete removal of all the existing furniture in the house.
The most important aspect of a home design process is an open channel of communication between a designer and client. It is implied that both parties have the best interests of the project in mind. A designer is likely to find ways to incorporate furniture you wish to retain and create a new design around it. They might also be able to see potential in furniture that might have otherwise been overlooked by the client himself.
