Interior Design Service vs. DIY Home Design: Which Is Right for You?

We partnered with a home design company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

When it comes to creating a home that reflects your style and needs, many people face a crucial decision: should they hire a professional interior designer or take on the project themselves through a DIY approach? Both options come with distinct advantages and challenges. In this article, we will explore the key factors to consider, helping you make an informed choice.

Understanding the Cost Factor

Before diving into the specifics of interior design, it's important to weigh the financial aspects of your project. Both DIY and professional services have their own cost structures, and understanding these can help guide your decision.

• DIY: A Budget-Friendly Option

One of the most significant reasons people opt for DIY home design is the potential for cost savings. Handling the design and labor yourself means you avoid the fees for hiring a professional. This can be a huge advantage for small projects like repainting a room, rearranging furniture, or adding decorative items. 

However, it’s important to remember that cost savings come with risks. If you are inexperienced in certain aspects of design, such as electrical work or spatial planning, mistakes can cost you. For example, a poorly measured area can lead to purchasing the wrong-sized furniture, resulting in wasted time and money. 

• Hiring a Professional Designer: Value for Your Investment

On the other hand, hiring an interior designer, especially a full-service interior design firm is more of an upfront investment. Designers typically charge a flat fee, hourly rate, or a percentage of the overall project cost. Although this adds to the budget, the expertise they bring can lead to long-term savings. Designers can prevent costly mistakes, recommend materials and solutions that fit your lifestyle, and make the process more efficient. Additionally, their access to exclusive deals from suppliers and contractors might even balance out the extra cost.

Time Commitment and Management

When it comes to managing your design project, the time you can dedicate plays a crucial role in deciding between DIY and hiring a professional.

• DIY: Flexibility with Time

Time is another crucial factor when deciding between DIY and hiring a professional. A DIY project allows you to work at your own pace–you have full control of the schedule. This flexibility can be appealing, especially for individuals who enjoy taking their time to perfect their home.

That said, DIY projects can often take longer than expected, especially when balancing the project with other personal and professional commitments. Additionally, without experience in design planning, sourcing materials, and managing the project, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the time and effort required to complete even a seemingly simple task.

• Professional Designers: Efficient and Streamlined

Interior designers come with loads of experience in project management, which helps speed up the process. Once you agree on a design concept, they handle the timeline, communicate with suppliers, and coordinate with contractors. This hands-off approach can be ideal for busy individuals who want a professional touch without investing the time to manage it themselves. Professional designers are used to working under deadlines, ensuring that your project is completed efficiently.

Time management is a key advantage of hiring a designer, especially for larger projects that require coordination between various tradespeople, from painters to electricians. 

The Role of Expertise in Home Design

When considering your approach to home design, understanding the expertise required can significantly influence your choice between DIY and hiring a professional.

• Professional Designers: The Expertise Advantage

Interior designers are trained in design principles, such as spatial planning, lighting, and material selection. This expertise allows them to navigate complex design challenges efficiently. For example, they understand how to balance aesthetics with functionality, ensuring that a space is not only visually appealing but also practical. Their experience also means they can foresee potential problems before they arise and offer innovative solutions.

Designers are knowledgeable about the latest trends and can provide ideas and materials that may not be widely available to the public. Their input can greatly enhance the quality of your design by recommending the perfect lighting for dark rooms or choosing durable, stylish furniture for high-traffic areas.

• DIY: Limited by Knowledge

While DIY offers creative control, it often depends on your design knowledge. Many start with a clear vision, but without the necessary skills, they can face challenges. For example, selecting the right color palette requires understanding color interactions, and using inappropriate materials in high-use areas like kitchens can lead to faster wear and tear. 

Additionally, technical aspects like electrical work or plumbing are best left to professionals, as mistakes can be dangerous and costly. Thus, while DIY works for smaller projects, complex tasks may need expertise beyond most homeowners' capabilities.

• Project Scope and Scale

Another important factor to consider when deciding between a professional interior designer and taking a DIY project is the project size.

• DIY: Best for Small-Scale Projects

DIY home design is well-suited for smaller, less complex projects, such as updating a single room or adding new furniture. These tasks are manageable and allow you to exercise creative control at your own pace.

However, larger projects, like complete home renovations, can quickly become overwhelming. Managing all aspects—from sourcing materials to coordinating contractors—requires significant time and expertise. Underestimating the complexity of these larger-scale projects can lead to missed deadlines and added stress.

• Professional Designers: Ideal for Larger Projects

For design projects involving multiple rooms or significant structural changes, hiring a professional designer is often the best choice. They are equipped to manage large-scale renovations, coordinate with contractors, and ensure a smooth workflow. Designers also have access to high-quality materials not available to the public, enhancing the final outcome. 

For example, when redesigning an entire home, a designer ensures a cohesive style across all spaces while addressing their unique functional needs—something that can be challenging to achieve without professional experience.

Flexibility and Creative Control

It is also important to know that DIY projects and renovation with professionals may come with different levels of creative control and flexibility.

• DIY: Full Creative Control

A significant advantage of DIY design is the complete control you have over every decision, from the smallest details to the overall theme. This autonomy can be especially appealing if you have a clear vision and enjoy the process of bringing it to life. 

However, this freedom can be a double-edged sword. Without professional guidance, it's easy to make choices that clash, leading to a design that falls short of your expectations.

• Professional Designers: Balancing Vision with Expertise

When you hire a professional designer, you entrust them with your vision while benefiting from their expertise. Designers collaborate closely with clients to understand their preferences and goals, refining those ideas into a cohesive design. 

This partnership ensures you meet functionality with aesthetics. While you may not have complete control over every detail, a skilled designer will prioritize your vision and make adjustments to deliver the best outcome.

Conclusion: Choosing What Works for You

Choosing between DIY home design and hiring a professional depends on your project size, budget, and expertise. DIY offers creative freedom and cost savings, while professional designers provide efficiency, expertise, and enhanced resale value. Carefully assess your needs to select the best approach for a successful outcome.

Smart Design Choices for Style and Function

Modern design options allow anyone to create a home with style and function. You can seamlessly integrate aesthetics and simplicity by choosing attractive decor that serves functional purposes, like keeping your home warm and cozy. Smart choices can turn your home into a retreat you want to live in

Fortunately, contemporary trends provide many options that can help.

Stylish Home Trends for 2024

Home design trends in 2024 highlight the beauty found at the intersection of form and function. Modern designers have embraced the concept of quiet luxury. This design aesthetic is achieved by selecting a few pieces with classic and subtle styles and adding stand-out accents that create a luxurious feel.

Some ideas include:

• Selecting pieces or accents with texture or curves, like fluted bases;

• Adding pillows in a luxurious or tactile fabric, like velvet;

• Accenting wood flooring with a plaster wall;

• Tiling that is colorful or bold for kitchens, baths, and patios.

These styles are flexible and empower you to create a living space that is both welcoming and interesting. They also make it easy to create a relaxing space.

Making Your Home a Peaceful Retreat

Some simple design changes can make your home a place where serenity and style meet. One of the first choices you should always make when updating is to paint. Choose the rooms where you spend the most time. You don’t have to paint the whole room, especially if it’s been done recently. Paint one wall with soft tones for a cozy ambiance. Or wallpaper it to create a look of simple elegance.

To further enhance your home, add plants and flowers. These are incredibly functional. Some plants can help detox the air, and touches of nature have a relaxing effect on mood. Adding a beautifully crafted essential oil diffuser helps set the mood. Top off your design with framed images and other artwork that mixes well with the relaxed or natural feel. 

You can also create a soothing atmosphere with strategic lighting choices. Cool lighting is an excellent option in areas where you do work, like your kitchen or office. On the other hand, living spaces should feature warm lighting for a cozier feel. You can even select smart lighting options that you can adjust with your smartphone to create the best ambiance for the moment.

What if you are looking for more useful functionality?

Style Plus Function

Adding functional style to your home is not just a popular trend. It can also help with practical matters, like when some rooms are colder or hotter than others. If you can't solve this problem with maintenance or repair, design choices may be able to help. For example, closed doors can block proper airflow in your home. Installing contemporary-style pocket doors makes it easier to keep the door open a crack while adding simplicity and style.

Window coverings are an excellent functional solution for temperature issues. Blinds, shades, and curtains can keep in the heat or block the sun out, depending on the season. This also improves efficiency in your home, helping you lower your carbon footprint and electric bills. The best selection will provide a stylish look for your home, creating an atmosphere that suits your needs in style.

If your problems and your budget are bigger or you are building a new house, you can find window styles for your home that suit your needs. Many options offer style and functionality, such as bay windows, which let in more light and are a great way to capitalize on a beautiful view, like your garden or backyard. On the other hand, if your space is small, horizontal sliding windows are seamless and unique. Another option is double-hung windows. These attractive windows tilt out for easy cleaning.

Contemporary trends offer many options for functionality, simplicity, and design aesthetics. Whether you're selecting design accents, choosing paint colors, or creating window solutions, you can be sure there is a modern solution to turn your home into a stylish haven.

4 Tasks for First-Time Buyers to Complete Before Moving Into Their New Homes

We partnered with a home design company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Congratulations! You’ve finally done it. After weeks—maybe months or even years—of searching, planning, and paperwork, you’ve got the keys to your first home. 

Very few people are lucky enough to achieve this milestone; you’re among them. Approximately 32% of Americans bought their first homes in 2023. That’s up from 26% in 2022.

Buying your first home is exciting, liberating, and a huge milestone. The urge to decorate the nest is often high. 

But wait. Don’t rush into decorating the space. There are certain tasks you would want to tackle before you can settle in and truly call the place “home.” Taking care of these tasks can significantly impact how comfortable and secure you feel in your new space.

So, what are those? We’ll break them down for you. 

#1 Change the Locks

You might have got shiny new keys. But think about it: how many other people might have had access to your home before you? The previous owners, their families, maybe even contractors or real estate agents—you just never know. 

Security is something you can’t overlook when moving into a new home. So, first things first: change the locks. 

You can either hire a locksmith or do it yourself if you’re handy. If you plan to hire a locksmith, expect to shell out between $50 and $200. Sure, the task will cost you a pretty penny. But it will give you peace of mind knowing that you’re the only one who has access to your new space.

Upgrade to good-quality deadbolts. They are built with high-quality mechanisms and materials like stainless steel. That makes them resistant to forced entry. 

These days, you’ve also got the option of upgrading to smart locks. Unlocking your door is a breeze with them since you have to use your phone or a keypad instead of the keys. 

#2 Arrange for a Moving and Storage Company

Book a moving & storage company right after you sign the deal. Waiting until the eleventh hour can lead to unnecessary stress and limited availability, especially during peak moving seasons.

Whether you’ll move into your new space a month later or two, research your options now. Take quotes from multiple companies. 

Consider whether they offer flexible scheduling, good insurance coverage, and transparent pricing. Inquire about any hidden fees that may not be obvious right away. 

Compare the quotes you receive and weigh them against the services provided. Hire the one that not only fits your budget, but also meets your specific needs for packing, loading, and storage.

Confirm the moving date with the company, ideally, three weeks before the move, suggests Redwood Moving & Storage. That way, you will secure your spot without paying any extra money. 

#3 Hire Pest Control

Just because you don’t see any bugs doesn’t mean they aren’t there. 

Ants, beetles, and cockroaches might live in your new home’s attic, basement, closets, bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen and pantries. 

According to Forbes, cobwebs, wood damage, wood shavings or frass, or dead insects are tell-tale signs that your new home may have an insect problem.

Insects are relatively harmless to structures as well as humans. Still, it’s best to hire a pest control company. That will help your new home stay comfy and critter-free. 

Schedule an inspection with a pest control service before the moving company arrives with your stuff. That way, potential issues can be addressed before you start moving in. 

#4 Refresh Rooms with Paint

A coat of fresh paint can make your home look like new, irrespective of how old it is, remarks MoonDance Painting. 

Say farewell to cool neutrals, dated grays, and stark whites, and hello to unexpected and traditional shades like ravishing rubies and electric brights. You’ll find those everywhere in 2025. 

Don’t forget to paint the ceiling—that’s one of the trends of 2024, says Ideal Home. 

If you’re not up for DIY, consider hiring a painting company. They can offer professional advice on color choices and finishes and handle the job efficiently, leaving you with a beautifully refreshed space. 

Expect to pay around $4,750 to $12,000 to professionals for the painting job. That is expensive, but there are several benefits to hiring a professional. They will get the job done quicker. Plus, the overall finish will be clean and smooth. 

There you have it—the essential tasks to tackle before you settle into your new home! 

These steps might seem small, but they can make a huge difference in how smoothly your transition goes. Don’t try to tackle all of them at once. Take it one task at a time; soon enough, you’ll be cozied up in your dream home. 

How to Make Your Home Feel Warm and Welcoming in Just a Few Simple Steps

We partnered with a home design company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

Turning a house into a home is a personal and rewarding process. It's more than just filling a space with furniture; it's about creating an environment that feels warm, inviting, and truly yours. While every homeowner's preferences may differ, there are a few key elements that universally make a house feel homely.

Personal Touches and Sentimental Items

The first thing that makes a house feel like home is the presence of personal touches. Whether it's family photos, artwork, or mementos from your travels, having items that reflect your personality and experiences makes a space unique to you. Displaying these items in strategic locations, such as a gallery wall or a well-organised bookshelf, helps create a comforting environment.

• Tips: Rotate your display items seasonally to keep your space fresh. Consider creating a feature wall for framed photos or artwork to create a focal point in a room.

• Organising advice: Avoid clutter by using shadow boxes, frames, or shelves that allow for a neat, organised display.

Comfortable Seating

A home isn't homely without comfortable seating. Whether it's a couch in the living room or a reading chair in a quiet corner, having places where you can relax makes all the difference. Invest in seating that is not only stylish but also supportive and plush.

• Tips: Add throw blankets or cushions to make your seating areas even more inviting. Ensure your seating is arranged to promote conversation and comfort.

• Organising advice: Don't overwhelm a room with too many large pieces of furniture. Keep enough space to move freely.

Cushions and Soft Textiles

The right textiles can transform a room from feeling basic to feeling cosy. Indoor cushions are a key element in this transformation. They add color, texture, and warmth to your seating areas. Choose cushions that complement your overall design while enhancing comfort. You can mix and match different textures, such as velvet, linen, or cotton, to add layers of softness to your space. Indoor cushions are a simple yet effective way to make any room feel more inviting.

• Tips: Choose cushions that match the colors and style of your room. Don't be afraid to mix textures for added depth.

• Organising advice: Store extra cushions in a decorative basket when not in use to keep the space tidy.

Decluttered and Organised Spaces

A cluttered home can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to relax. Organising your space not only helps with functionality but also contributes to the overall cosiness of your home. Start by decluttering surfaces like countertops, tables, and shelves. Keep only the essentials in view and use storage solutions like baskets, bins, and cabinets to keep everything else neatly tucked away.

• Tips: Follow the "one in, one out" rule to prevent clutter. Every time you bring something new into your home, get rid of something old.

• Organising advice: Use drawer dividers and shelving units to organise smaller items.

Soft Lighting

Lighting plays a critical role in setting the mood of a home. Harsh, bright lights can make a space feel sterile and cold. Soft, ambient lighting, on the other hand, adds warmth and comfort. Using a combination of floor lamps, table lamps, and dimmable overhead lights can make a space feel more relaxed.

• Tips: Opt for warm-toned LED bulbs to create a cosy atmosphere. Layer your lighting by using a mix of lamps and accent lighting.

• Organising advice: Avoid cords running across your room. Use cable organisers or cordless lamps to keep the space tidy and safe.

Indoor Plants

Bringing elements of nature indoors is a simple yet effective way to make a house feel more welcoming. Plants improve the air quality and add a sense of vitality to any room. Whether it's a few small succulents on the window sill or larger potted plants in the living room, greenery has a calming effect that instantly makes a space feel more lived-in.

• Tips: Choose low-maintenance plants like snake plants, pothos, or succulents if you're new to caring for houseplants. Place plants in areas that receive natural light, but avoid cluttering spaces with too many pots.

• Organising advice: Use plant stands or wall-mounted planters to save floor space.

A Pleasant Aroma

A homely house smells good. Scent plays a huge role in creating a comfortable atmosphere, and it's often overlooked. Candles, essential oil diffusers, or fresh flowers can make a space feel warm and inviting. Opt for soothing scents like lavender, vanilla, or eucalyptus to add to the relaxing feel of your home.

• Tips: Use natural air fresheners, like beeswax candles or essential oils, to avoid overpowering synthetic smells.

• Organising advice: Keep scented items like candles or diffusers on a tray for easy removal when needed.

Organised Entryway

Your entryway sets the tone for the rest of your home. Keeping it organised helps make a positive first impression. A tidy entryway with a place for shoes, coats, and bags immediately signals that your home is well-kept and inviting.

• Tips: Use a shoe rack and coat hooks to keep everything off the floor. Add a bench or small table to store keys and other essentials.

• Organising advice: Install a shelf or a wall-mounted organiser to keep mail and other items from cluttering surfaces.

Clean and Tidy Spaces

Lastly, cleanliness is key to making a house feel homely. A clean space not only looks better but also makes you feel better. Simple tasks like dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down surfaces can make a big difference in how comfortable your space feels.

• Tips: Create a weekly cleaning schedule to stay on top of chores. Break tasks down into smaller daily activities to avoid overwhelming yourself.

• Organising advice: Use multipurpose storage options like ottomans with hidden compartments or coffee tables with drawers to store items out of sight.

Create Your Homely Haven

Making your house homely is about finding the right balance between comfort, personal style, and organisation. By incorporating elements like personal touches, cosy textiles, comfortable seating, and maintaining an organised space, you can transform any house into a welcoming home.