Is Using an Interior Designer Right For You?

Sponsored by Lee Douglas Interiors, Inc. & Build Omaha: When a builder and interior designer work together from the beginning, you get a home that is worth looking at, and that is just what happened at the Lee Douglas Interiors homes for the Home Inspiration Tour.

Using an interior designer at the start of a home building process was once considered a luxury, but now builder partners see them as part of the package.

Designers can look at the plan when it is on paper and work with the home owner to determine how the house is going to live. They can make critical alterations before they become expensive changes.

In addition, good builders hire designers to choose the materials and permanent features with the homeowner. Wouldnt you rather have your builder on site and managing the project vs shopping with you at a tile or window store?

Designers can alert you to trends and the possibilities of good design, but what is good design? Good design is what works for the homeowner and every project should be different. There are so many good trends to talk about, but were starting out with two that we get a ton of questions about. These may seem disjointed but hang in there with me.

Kitchens: The kitchen is the heart of the home. Whether you want them there or not, your family and friends are going to hang out while you cook and prepare. Isnt it time we stopped the madness and made the kitchen an adequate space where you can cook and be with your friends as they sip their wine?

Designing a kitchen by creating boundaries, no cross zones, and divisions that are invisible to your guests keeps everyone happy. Yes, you can entertain while cooking, and it can be one of the best looking rooms in the house by mixing woods, metals, lighting, ceiling treatments etc.

More kitchens are also including a door to a hidden space that looks just like another cabinet. This definitely keeps them out of your business! Whats behind there is whatever works for you. Just think of the possibilities: a pantry, a prep kitchen, appliance storage, wine storage, a coffee bar, a desk for meal planning, let your imagination go! Its no longer just what the plan says; its what you want it to be.

Floor Transitions: Do you know why streets have lines painted on them? Its because people generally like to go by the rules and stay within the lines.

Think of that analogy when planning your flooring breaks. There are so many floors to fall in love with: Great woods, tiles, concrete etc. but sorry, folks, you need to pick just a few and plan effectively.

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Is Using an Interior Designer Right For You?