Is It Worth Hiring an Interior Designer? Let’s Talk About What You Actually Get

It’s not always asked out loud, but the question’s there: do I really need an interior designer? And while we may be biased, our answer is yes. If you’re putting real time, money, or energy into your home—whether it’s one room or a full renovation—a designer isn’t just nice to have. It’s one of the smartest ways to get more out of your investment.

Because if you’re already spending the money, why wouldn’t you want to make sure it’s spent well?

Good design doesn’t just make a space look better. It makes the entire process smoother, more efficient, more cost-effective, and the result far more cohesive and long-lasting.

Here’s what that really means:

1. We Help You Stretch Your Budget—In All the Right Places

Interior designers know how to work within your budget without making the space feel “budget.” We’re trained to see where to invest, where to pull back, and how to make strategic choices that maximize value.

Sometimes that means using a more affordable tile but laying it in an unexpected pattern. Sometimes it’s knowing which light fixture will elevate an entire room without blowing the budget. Sometimes it’s simply avoiding mistakes that would’ve cost you more to fix later.

2. The End Result? More Cohesive, More Personal, and Built to Last

When you DIY a renovation or redecoration, it’s easy to end up with a space that’s technically “done” but doesn’t quite work. The scale might be off. The materials might clash. The vibe might feel trendy now but tired in a year.

Designers bring a long-view lens to every project. We think about how materials relate to each other. How light moves through space. How your daily routines can be supported through layout and flow. And we select finishes and furnishings that don’t just look good now but will still feel right in five or ten years.

3. Access to Better Materials, Suppliers, and Trade-Only Sources

When you work with a designer, you’re not limited to what’s on the showroom floor or in a big-box catalogue. We have access to a broader range of suppliers, craftspeople, and finishes—often including pieces that are higher quality, more timeless, or simply more you.

This alone can make your home feel more unique and less like every other house on the block. And in some cases, you may benefit from trade pricing or designer-exclusive offers that offset part of your design fee.

4. We Save You Time (And Headaches) Because We Know What You Don’t Know

Renovations are full of decisions, and most of them you don’t even know you need to make until it’s too late. That’s where a designer changes everything.

Take a bathroom renovation. In just a few minutes, we could list dozens of decisions you’ll need to finalize before construction even begins, such as:

How wide is the vanity? Is it wall-hung or floor-mounted and is there blocking in the wall to support it? Where’s the plumbing coming from—wall or floor? And is it centred, or pushed to a corner? Do the joists in the floor below allow for that layout? Are there drawers or hinged doors? And will the plumbing interfere with either? What kind of storage do you actually need from the vanity and will the current setup deliver that? What’s the countertop material, and how thick is it? Will it stain? Will it melt under a flat iron? Is there a backsplash? Just behind the sink, or wrapping onto the side walls? How high should the mirror go? Are we adding sconces and how are they spaced? Is the sink drop-in, undermount, or vessel? And if it's a vessel, did anyone adjust the vanity height for that?

And that’s just the vanity.

There’s the toilet (wall-mounted or floor-mounted? One-piece or two? What’s the rough-in?), the lighting (mirror-integrated? flattering for makeup?), the fan, the storage, the towel bars, the shower system, the tile layout, the drain style, the grout colour, the shampoo niche, the bench, the tub type, the sill detail, the waterproofing…

You get the idea.

Designers don’t just think about how a space looks. We think through how it’s built, how it functions, and how all those decisions come together to support the final result. That’s where the real value lies… and what keeps a renovation on track.

5. We Problem-Solve When (Not If) Things Come Up

Things always come up. A surprise inside a wall. A discontinued material. A layout challenge no one anticipated.

Designers are trained to troubleshoot. We don’t just react, we adapt. Whether it’s reworking a plan on the fly or finding a creative workaround that still looks intentional, we’re there to make sure the project stays on track and still feels like you.

6. We Think Differently Than You—And That’s a Good Thing

Homeowners often approach design from the surface level: “I like this tile” or “this sofa looks nice.” Designers start from a different place. We ask: How should this space feel? What does it need to do for your life? And how do we make sure every decision aligns with that?

That mindset leads to smarter layouts, better flow, more personalized selections, and ultimately, a space that feels considered from every angle.

Entryway before and after at Project 09.

So... Is It Worth It?

If you’re still wondering whether hiring an interior designer is worth it, here’s our honest answer: if you’re investing real time and money into your space, a designer will help you get the most out of that investment.

In fact, the design fee often pays for itself through smarter planning, fewer mistakes, access to trade resources, and a result that truly elevates your day-to-day life.

Because good design isn’t just about how a space looks. It’s about how it works, how it feels, and how well it supports the life you want to live.

We'd love to connect and discuss your project, and how we might be able to help! Book a complimentary discovery call here.