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Can an interior designer save you money? In a word, yes!

By Jen Bishop •

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By Naomi Findlay

Read to the end for your chance to win a $997 virtual interior design consultation!

We all want our house to look like the pictures that grace the cover of home magazines but justifying the spend of an interior designer to help us achieve that goal can feel unattainable. Well what if I told you that using an interior designer can save you money? Seems a little odd right given it’s an extra expense that you need to fork out on top of the largest purchase you’ll ever make in your lifetime. But wait, let me explain how in fact we can save you money and time and create a beautiful space for you to enjoy!

Avoid expensive mistakes. Fixing a preventable mistake can end up blowing your budget and it’s an interior designer’s job to recognise these errors before it’s too late. Combining your vision and our know-how is why a designer should be hired as early into a project as possible.

Take advantage of trade discounts. Simply put, we receive special pricing on all items to do with interior design including fixtures, tiles, paint, furniture, appliances and décor. So, all that stunning furniture and décor you have been pining over is now attainable and at a very significant discount from retail pricing. By doing the maths on trade pricing, it can give you a basic idea of how much money can be saved at the very least. It’s as easy and awesome as that.

Time is money. That old saying applies here for a couple of reasons. Whilst it may take you months to figure out which paint, tiles, fixtures and design you want, we already have an excellent working knowledge about all of these options and can get this sorted and confirmed relatively quickly. The project management aspects of a renovation can be equally time consuming and frustrating. It’s our job to take this on for our clients and make sure everything runs smoothly – we liaise with your builders and give them precise, documented instructions so there are no miscommunications and costly mistakes made. We also can help ensure you employ the best trades for the work you require at a reasonable cost, both saving you time and money. A good designer makes the entire process easier and faster so that you can move on with the rest of your life.

Designers don’t follow trends. Designers simply don’t follow trends and replicate magazines that tend to focus on a current trend at any given time. This means you won’t have to re-do the space the minute the trend changes. A great interior designer helps you to identify which purchases matter for the future of your home and can spot quality immediately, helping you to make investments in pieces that will be both timeless and durable. Additionally, a great interior designer should focus on a little-known term called space medicine. This ensures that your space is designed taking into consideration our physical environment and the space we have to work with. Harnessing the power of light, colour, spatial arrangement and of course functionality, is a key. Interior designers save clients the heartache and unnecessary expense of a badly designed space.

Recycle, recycle, recycle. I personally love to upcycle anything I can, and give it a new purpose. And if you don’t have the budget to replace everything or want to save some existing pieces for keepsake reasons, who better than a professional designer to accomplish that for you?

Upcycled desk ideas: from drab to fab for under $100
By Naomi Findlay We’ve probably never looked more closely at our desks and home offices than we are now. Have you previously worked on the lounge, at the coffee table or…

Maximise the value of your house. We are trained to see the potential in a property and are skilled at maximising that potential to maximise your investment. Having a smart and professionally designed, beautiful space, will only increase the value of your home along with the number of potential buyers. While you may end up paying an interior designer for their services and the cost of materials now, this ends up saving you money along the way and potentially making you a profit when you receive a higher bid on your home. Investing money into your home right now can pay off later.

Naomi Findlay is a renovation and interior design expert, author of the best-selling books Sell Your Property for More Money and The Start Up Guide to Renovating For Wealth, design expert on the TV series Changing Rooms as well as the producer and host of YouTube shows, Renovie and The Reno Show.

She created Design Decisions to allow allow everyone from around the country the access to a professional interior designer offering advice, a moodboard, design schedule with exact details on all items you require, all carried out online, from the comfort of your home, anywhere, anytime. We all deserve an amazing and beautiful space to live and work.

Win a virtual interior design consultation

For your chance to win a virtual interior design consultation with Naomi, worth $997, complete the form below by 11.59pm AEST on Thursday 9 July 2020 and ensure you’re following @naomifindlayofficial on Instagram

The prize includes a one-hour video consultation with Naomi, a moodboard, a physical sample box through the mail where applicable, a design schedule which specifies every last detail and can act as a shopping list for your trades, and more.

Open to Australian residents only.

Stone cottage renovation that’ll blow your mind!
Most people would have run for the hills on seeing the rundown state of this 1880s stone cottage, but not our favourite renovator Naomi Findlay! Her years of experience and…
Building stimulus package: largely disappointing for renovators
There was much excitement when news of the government’s building stimulus package started circulating, but once the finer details were confirmed last week, that excitement mostly turned to disappointment for…

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July 3, 2020

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Anything catch your eye?

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A custom look on a budget: we love how this rangeh A custom look on a budget: we love how this rangehood cover was fashioned from a piece of American oak benchtop!

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Swipe for before An interior designer shares the Swipe for before 

An interior designer shares the clever ways they took this homestead from tired 80s to a welcoming country retreat for holidaymakers without spending a fortune or starting from scratch.

This fireplace became a beautiful focal point after a lick of paint, for example.

See more before and afters from @wandarra_homestead on the blog now via link in stories/bio.
How heavenly is AFL star @rhysstanley_'s home he s How heavenly is AFL star @rhysstanley_'s home he shares with wife @kirstenstanley_ and their young kids?!

When they first set eyes on an expansive acreage on Victoria's Surf Coast, they knew it was the perfect place to build their forever home and embrace working farm life. @studiohallihan helped them bring it all together perfectly!

Take the tour on the blog now, via link in bio and stories.

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Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS! Brand new furniture in an 1877 house and IT WORKS!

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I was lucky enough to see the pieces in situ last week and I honestly couldn't believe how well it all worked! They were going for accessible luxury and well, he delivered, and then some!

Head to the blog via link in bio to read more about the partnership.

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If you pick your restaurants for the interior as m If you pick your restaurants for the interior as much as the food, you might want to add @pinosalmare  by @nicgrahamandassociates to your date night list! 😍

@smartstoneaustralia's stunning Calacatta Viola sintered stone surface features throughout, making a bold statement while being durable enough to be used in the busiest areas.

Inspired by Puglia, Pino's (named after the owner's father) in Cronulla has a real seaside vibe. The Smartstone was also chosen for the outdoor tables due to its UV stability.

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SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jas SPA VIBES was the brief for this bathroom and @jasminemcclellanddesign delivered. And then some!

"With a keen eye for design, they wanted their main bathroom to feel calm, spa-like and elevated with more storage, better layout, and soft, layered textures in a neutral palette. Lighting was another big focus, with the goal of creating a space that felt luxurious enough to unwind in, preferably with a glass of champagne in the bath.”

Is it a yay or a nay for you?

Head to the blog via link in bio/stories for all the suppliers as well as a look at the powder room with its bold wallpaper 😍

#spabathroom #zenbathroom #spavibes #bathroomremodels 

📸 @jonathantabensky
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Jen Bishop

About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. She founded Interiors Addict in 2011. Jen also works as a copywriter and comms consultant to small business owners and brands, helping them with their own content as well as working out what will make them appealing to the media.

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