Every time I meet someone for the first time, and tell them that I am an interior designer based in Buckinghamshire, I usually get two reactions: the first one is, "Oh wow, that sounds amazing," and the second one is "You must meet a lot of wealthy people in your line of work." The assumption being that only a wealthy person can afford to hire an interior designer.
This couldn't be further from the truth. Many middle-class people appoint designers these days. When both parents are busy professionals, most people do not have the time, energy or brain power left after a whole week of the 9 to 5 slog to then dedicate their weekends to renovating their homes. Weekends should be family time, relaxing time, and socialising time. The last thing a busy couple wants is to spend the weekend arguing about which tile or which sofa. Hiring an interior designer is not only a great way to save time and spare yourself a lot of grief, but it also increases the value of your property, and saves you money in the long run.
How, you may ask?
Interior designers know how to spend strategically, investing money in those elements of the design that will give you the best ROI (return on investment). When you are designing your home, it is very easy to get tempted by the oodles of fabulous things out there. Homeware shops and showrooms are like candy stores – every day new products are being released, the sights and textures are irresistible, and you start to go weak at the knees; and before you know it, you’ve fallen in love with this sofa or that rug, the sales girl is telling you it’s this season’s must-have, and the next thing you know, you’re several thousand pounds lighter! Impulse buying a candy is one thing, but impulse buying a sofa is a whole other ball game.
Ideally, you want to spread your budget out so that the high-value items (which will increase the value of your home) are prioritized over low value items; the latter will no doubt give you years of pleasure, hopefully, but so will the former. It is these high-value items that will get the gasps of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from your visitors. As well as increase the value of your home. An interior designer has plenty of experience utilizing her client’s money in a smart way to make it go further.
HOW TO ADD VALUE & SAVE
MONEY WHEN RENOVATING
Safia A Naqvi | 8 Dec 2025
DESIGN STORIES: SKETCHES, SCRIBBLES & DOODLES OF A DESIGNER'S THOUGHTS
Additionally, an interior designer has access to impressive trade discounts, which are not available for those outside the industry. This is hugely important, as you can save a lot of money on items that may otherwise be out of your reach.
An interior designer has trained her eye to recognise the difference between timeless and trendy. She knows a fad when she sees one, and she wont make the error of purchasing something that looks amazing today but will be an eyesore (and a costly mistake) tomorrow. She will cater to your tastes, and your lifestyle, while still focusing on spending where it matters most.
Many interior designers are naturals at upcycling and repurposing. You might be tempted to throw out that granny armchair, and replace it with a
flashy (and expensive) one, but your designer might just surprise you (and save you a lot of money) by giving that armchair a new lease of life – you wont recognise it by the time she’s done with it!
Many homeowners decide to design their homes themselves, and often end up making costly mistakes that, in the end, an interior designer has to come and fix anyway. Or they end up living with those mistakes, which forever become trigger points to annoy them and impair the functionality of the home. Not to mention couples who blame each other for the mistake and never miss a chance of reminding their better half who’s responsible for the mess they’re in! Oh boy, what fun....NOT!
Interior design doesn’t have to be an expensive luxury. An e-design service, where the designer takes all the guesswork out of the process (by creating designs that are aligned with your taste and lifestyle), then gives back control to the homeowner during the implementation phase, is a really affordable way of getting the style you want, the functionality you crave, and the beautifully cohesive ‘designer’ look you’d never thought you could afford or achieve. Once the designer has handed over her crystal clear plans to you, you’ll know exactly what to buy, how to space plan, and what colours will give you the look you’re after, creating a home that is unique and personal to you. Designers not only look at the big picture but can easily hone in on the finer details, thus creating a cohesive look where every element works together harmoniously.
If you’re thinking of hiring a designer for that wow factor (not to mention your sanity), why not book a complimentary call with me to discuss your requirements? Just email me at connect@saybandnia.com and let’s make the time to address your concerns and questions.
