INTERIOR DESIGNERS
An interior designer can add value to a remodeling project—and ultimately to your home—by making sure your finishes, products and materials work well in your space and complement each other when it comes to function and appearance.
Example: On your own, you might choose a spectacular slab of for your kitchen countertops and equally stunning tile for your kitchen floor, only to see that they clash once they’ve been installed. A designer can save you from making that mistake.
Some designers specialize in helping clients choose furniture or draperies or wall coverings. Others only do kitchens or bathrooms. Some partner with remodelers so you get a package deal: designer and contractor. Most can help you design a kitchen and decide where appliances, cabinets and furniture will go, and then help you select your countertops (granite vs. laminate vs. solid surface vs. butcher block, etc.), your floor (tile or carpet or hardwood or Pergo, for instance), fixtures (sinks, faucets) and appliances (stainless steel or black? Wall oven? Double oven? French-door refrigerator?).
You’ll pay between $75 and $200 an hour for an interior designer. Before hiring one, insist on an initial consultation to learn if you like the designer’s style, taste and personality. Don’t Forget to check credentials: In Arizona, designers are not licensed by the state, but good ones are affiliated with trade organizations like the National Kitchen and Bath Association or the American Society of Interior Designers.
