Take An Interior Designer House Hunting With You
House hunting can be exciting, yet stressful. You will have to take into consideration your wants and needs and your family’s, as well as the location, your budget, and any limitations on the amount of time you need to find a house, pack, and move.
So at the very beginning, before starting to look for properties, save yourself time and grief and make sure you know what you are looking for. What makes you happy? Check-in with yourself and be sure you understand your likes and dislikes and are clear about what you must have and what you can live without.
Choosing a new home is a big, big decision, one that brings up all kinds of emotions, anxieties, hopes, and dreams. That’s why I always recommend that my house-hunting clients take my Style Preferences Survey before starting their search.
Even when you know what you want, it can be tough to objectively evaluate a potential home, and see its flaws, as well as its possibilities. There are other distractions, too. The owner’s belongings and their energy inhabit the house, which can make it hard to visualize yourself there.
So it’s a good idea, once you’ve found “the” house, but before you make an offer, to take an interior designer with you for another look. Someone who isn’t as emotionally invested as you are can give frank, sensible advice about what a house needs to improve its attractiveness and functionality.
This is an especially important step if you’ve already worked with an interior designer on your present home, and are happy with the results. A designer who knows your style will be able to tell whether a space will function for you and your family. They will see pros and cons that you may overlook and can advise you on what can be changed and what can’t.
And if you are house hunting knowing you’ll renovate whatever house you buy, the earlier you involve your designer in the process, the better. They will look at the layout, structure, flow, and other considerations, and make suggestions to improve the space.
Whether it’s moving a doorway, adding windows, or building an addition, a designer will have lots of ideas for turning what may be a so-so house into exactly what you’re looking for. A designer can see beyond what is there, to what can be there.
They can also recommend important tests to help determine a home’s “health” – finding experts who can check air and water quality, for instance, or look for mold or other toxins. A designer with a rolodex of experts can help nip problems in the bud, or might even keep you from buying what could be a big headache.
Once you’ve bought the house, a designer can help schedule repairs and upgrades before you move in – like painting, installing flooring or window treatments, or ordering furniture – saving you lots of hassle and stress.
When making one of the biggest (and expensive) decisions of your life, you need an ally. Bring an interior designer house hunting with you!
Contact us to learn more about our interior design services in Philadelphia and Main Line, PA before buying your next home!
Larisa McShane and Associates is an award-winning full-service interior design firm in Villanova, PA. For more personalized ideas, call us to schedule our signature personal style discovery at 610-772-0445, or to schedule a complimentary phone consultation, or check our project page for more information.
