Finishing your commercial property? Perhaps your apartment, townhouse or villa need that added help when it comes to the interior and home decor? You might want to inject the wow factor, however, remember your space should not only look good but should also reflect your individual style and personality, while it should be functional to your needs and lifestyle. Sounds impossible? Not if you enlist the help of an interior designer. Trained at thinking both creatively and spatially, they can think outside the box to help you create a better working environment for your staff or to make the most of your living space by maximising its full potential.

How to select an interior designer

Applying technical and creative solutions, designers are adept at designing spaces that are functional and appealing yet they also take into consideration clients' needs and requirements. At the same time, they must adhere to a specific methodology that includes, amongst other things, research, while they have sufficient knowledge on a number of things ranging from electricity and plumbing to structural elements like load-bearing walls.

Interior decorators and interior designers are very often regarded as the same profession, however, there are differences between the two and it's crucial to understand what sets them apart so you can make an informed decision if you ever require their services. Whereas interior design is, in essence, the art and science of understanding clients' behaviour to create functional spaces within a building, interior decorating involves using furnishings and the likes to embellish a space. As a result, an interior designer may decorate, however, their expertise and knowledge lie in design. For example, when it comes to floor coverings, they will do more than just select the type, colour and pattern. Elements such as usage, acoustic properties and sound transference and flammability will also be taken into account.

If its time for you to select one, you need to ensure that the designer has a knack at decorating rooms, loves design and has an innate flair for spatial arrangements and architecture, qualities that you should be able to single out when looking at previous projects undertaken. Ideally, opt for someone who has formal and accredited education and who has previous experience so as to guarantee a good result and a service as promised. Remember that the professional can help you avoid mistakes that would otherwise be costly, while if you're on a tight budget.

What other services are offered?

Interior designers can handle both residential projects that may range from newly built houses to renovations and extensions, as well as large scale developments such as hotels, clinics and office complexes. Whether you like contemporary or you'd rather stick with a classic design, the professional will adapt the design to match your taste and preferences. Yet, if you're unsure of the direction you'd like to go, browse through some catalogues to get inspired or even the designer's portfolio. After discussing expectations, set the budget and have set priorities.

On the other hand, a functional and comfortable office space is crucial for both customers and employees alike. For many businesses, such as restaurants, cafes, bars or hotels, good design becomes a crucial deciding factor for consumers when choosing a place. Hence, it's worth to plan it carefully with the help of a qualified professional and ask for visualisations of the projects to better understand how the final outcome will actually look like.

What's more, interior designers may also be employed to refurbish and produce specific room designs like a kitchen design or a bathroom design, or alternatively, their services may be used for refurbishing the entire home. Here are some tips on how to refurbish your home from top to bottom.

Apart from residential and commercial architectural and creative designs, some designers may offer other services, such as project management, turnkey installations, 3D visualisation, landscaping and lighting design. Most can also cover any engineering needs right from the onset of the project till completion, while many work hand-in-hand with a number of other professionals like architects and various suppliers. In addition, you may also find interior designers who have small stores selling stylish furnishings and textiles, as well as small furniture. In fact, some may even offer the opportunity to have your wedding registry with them.