Design Demystified: Exploring the Answers to Your Top Interior Design Questions

Why Should You Hire an Interior Designer?

There is a time and place for DIY – who doesn’t love a challenge? However, redesigning your home is a more than justifiable call for backup.

Interior designers bring so much value to the table and more importantly, make your life infinitely easier. Enlisting the expertise of an interior designer is a game changer and the easiest decision you’ll make. Why?

Savings on time and budget Simply put, an experienced designer holds a wealth of industry knowledge, allowing for a streamlined + stress-free decision-making process. Within that knowledge is the ability to offer insights on cost-efficient solutions without compromising style.

Skilled vision Interior designers have a natural eye for spatial planning and optimization. They’re able to visualize a dream space you’d have never thought possible.

Attention to personal detail Designers thrive at the finer details, ensuring every element is carefully curated to reflect your unique style. Not exactly sure what your style is? They can help with that too.

Access to resources You get the hookup! Designers have access to a large network of suppliers and retailers, ensuring a top-notch selection of materials and furnishings.

Great Q. Both of these roles are critical in the field of design and construction but hold different scopes of work in the process of creating and renovating spaces. A few key differences:

Interior Designer

Focuses on functionality and aesthetics, working closely with clients to understand style preferences. They emphasize detail and design concepts including color schemes, furnishing + decor, and elevating the overall look and feel of the space.

Contractor

Ownership of the physical construction and implementation of the design plan. They manage and coordinate with other teams to oversee the construction process, focusing on the more technical aspects like structure, plumbing, electricity, etc.

Most often, the interior designers collaborate closely with contractors throughout the duration of the project. While the designer provides the creative vision, the contractor brings that vision to life. Teamwork makes the dream work 💅🏻

Luckily, Julia, the founder and principal at Little by Little is not only an interior designer, and a certified PMP, but also carries her contractor license.

This one is complex. While there are so many factors that play a part in designing a space, most designers would agree the overall goal is to create a harmonious balance between functionality and aesthetics. A warm, inviting space that holds positive energy while also effectively serving its intended purpose.

And of course, lighting. Lighting is key to the overall ambiance of a space – make it a vibe. More warm color temperatures with adjustable or dimmable bulbs and less abrasive, overhead/fluorescent lighting.

Sooner than you think! Whether you’re moving into a new home or taking on a major renovation or remodeling project, the earlier you bring on a designer the better.

With new construction homes, interior designers can provide valuable insight on the front end, alongside the architect. When designers are brought in early on, they’re able to collaborate and share feedback regarding spatial planning, sourcing materials, and more.

More importantly, interior designers require time. Depending on the scale of the project, it can take anywhere from 6 months up to a year or more to plan, design, source materials, handle construction, installations, AND project management duties.

In a nutshell, if you’ve begun the process of moving into a new home or tackling a renovation or new construction, it’s time to start scouting interior designers.

We charge both a flat fee and an hourly rate, depending on the project and the scope of work. The best first step is a free 30-minute intro call, where we learn about your home and talk through which option fits your project.

We are based in Portland and work with homeowners across the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington. In Oregon, that includes Portland, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, Tigard, Milwaukie, Happy Valley, West Linn, Oregon City, Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Cornelius, Aloha, Sherwood, Tualatin, Wilsonville, King City, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, Sandy, Damascus, Canby, Gladstone, Stafford, Estacada, St. Helens and Scappoose. In Washington, we serve Vancouver and Camas.

We offer three main services. Full Service Interior Design is a turn-key service where we manage your project from the first concept to the final styling, including sourcing, ordering, installation and managing trades. Remodeling and Renovation design covers floor plans, CAD renderings, construction and electrical plans, and selecting finishes and fixtures. One on One Design Consultations are a great fit if you want expert guidance while you handle the rest yourself.

Fill out the inquiry form on our Inquire page and tell us whatever details you have about your home and project. There is no obligation to move forward. One of our team members will personally be in touch within 48 hours to set up your free intro call.