Do-It-Yourself Home Interior Design is a Path to Disaster

Interior decorating and contemporary home design are serious business. When you study to become a designer you'll be surprised at all the home interior design techniques and tools there are to learn.

Interior decorating and contemporary home design are serious business. When you study to become a designer you’ll be surprised at all the home interior design techniques and tools there are to learn. That’s why it is amusing to see homeowners - usually armed with the latest issue of some home interior design magazine - try to do their own redecorating. Don’t worry about them. People who use home design software to avoid hiring a designer often turn into good customers.

Let the Professionals Do It

I know how to change the oil in my car. However, the last time I did it myself, I was 17 years old. Ever since that messy day, I have turned my car over to a professional and let him or her change the oil.

One of the things you’ll learn when you become a home interior design professional is that having the right training and the right equipment are vitally important when it comes to contemporary home design. Many of your clients will know a little or a lot about color and fabrics and furniture. They may even have the latest home design software to show them what they want. Most of them will express their strong preferences and then get out of the way and let you work. Those will be the home interior design jobs that go smoothly.

Cleaning Up After the Disasters

Some professional contemporary home designers charge an extra fee if they find out the homeowner is calling them after a failed do-it-yourself session. I always find those jobs to be great fun. The homeowner is meek and contrite and you can entertain yourself by trying to figure out what they were thinking when they put the Victorian lamp next to the neo-African sculpture.

About the Author

Lance Filbert is known for his witty and innovative design ideas. He lives in San Francisco with his partner, Bertram, and their cairn terriers, Toto and Toklas.

Posted on April 11, 2006 at 9:28 AM

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