Do I even need an interior designer?

The answer might surprise you!

Let's be honest from the start, I've heard this question many times: do I even need an interior designer for my reno? And the short answer is, NO you don't absolutely need an interior designer for your renovation. A good builder will guide you through the essential decisions about layouts, plumbing positions, electrical plans, and material selections. They'll point you toward suppliers and might even offer a few design suggestions. So why am I even writing this article?

Because there's a world of difference between completing a functional renovation and creating a home that truly enhances your life.

Your builder is brilliant at construction – that's their superpower. They understand structures, building codes, and how to execute plans efficiently. What they typically don't consider is how you'll actually live in the space day-to-day. They're focused on walls and wiring, not on whether the kitchen layout will work for your Friday night family pizza-making traditions or if the living room configuration allows for both intimate conversations and your annual holiday gatherings.

When I work with clients, I'm constantly thinking about the humans who will inhabit the space – not just today, but years down the road. That spare bedroom? It might need to function as a home office now, a nursery in two years, and eventually a teenager's retreat. A thoughtful design considers these evolutions from the beginning, incorporating flexibility that might not be obvious on standard architectural plans.

The magic of good design often lies in the details that builders simply don't think about. It's the perfectly positioned lighting that makes everyday tasks easier while highlighting your favorite artwork. It's the built-in bench that provides storage, seating, and becomes a signature feature of your home. It's material combinations that not only look beautiful together but also stand up to your real life – whether that includes energetic children, entertaining friends, or working from home. These aren't extravagances; they're the elements that transform a renovation from merely updated to genuinely life-enhancing.

After 16 years in the industry, I've built relationships with an incredible network of tradespeople and suppliers who consistently deliver exceptional work. These connections aren't just names in my contact list – they're professionals I trust with my reputation and my clients' homes. When you work with a designer, you gain access to this carefully curated network of specialists who have repeatedly proven their expertise and reliability. This alone can save you from the stressful gamble of finding quality trades through Google searches or unreliable recommendations.

Beyond trusted trades, designers maintain relationships with wholesale suppliers, specialist showrooms, and manufacturers who often don't work directly with the public. This means access to unique materials, custom possibilities, and (sometimes) trade discounts that aren't available to individual homeowners. These exclusive resources allow for truly distinctive designs and can result in significant savings that often offset a portion of design fees.

The time-saving aspect of working with a designer cannot be overstated. I recently had a client confess she spent three entire weeks researching bathroom tiles before we started working together – and she still hadn't made a decision! When you multiply this by every single element in your renovation – from major materials to the smallest hardware details – the hours add up dramatically. A designer has already done this research, knows which options will work for your specific project, and can efficiently guide you toward choices that align with both your aesthetic and budget.

Renovations are inherently stressful, but they don't have to be overwhelming. Having a designer by your side means having a dedicated professional who anticipates challenges before they arise, offers solutions when unexpected issues do occur, and advocates for your vision throughout the process.

Perhaps most significantly, professional design delivers a result that simply looks and functions better. There's a reason beautifully designed spaces stop you in your tracks – they possess a cohesiveness, attention to detail, and thoughtful functionality that rarely happens by accident. A designer creates this through careful consideration of proportions, flow, materiality, and the countless subtle decisions that might seem minor individually but collectively create spectacular spaces.

You might particularly benefit from working with a designer if you know what you like but struggle to pull it all together cohesively. Or if you're making significant investments in your renovation and want to ensure those investments translate to both beauty and functionality. Or perhaps most importantly, if you value creating a home that genuinely reflects your personality rather than mimicking the latest Pinterest trend.

Can you complete a renovation without an interior designer? Absolutely. Will working with a designer create a better result, save you countless hours, potentially save you money through trade discounts and avoiding costly mistakes, and significantly reduce your stress throughout the process? In my experience, unquestionably yes.

The most successful renovations aren't just about beautiful spaces (though they certainly are that). They're about creating homes that truly support and enhance the lives of the people who live in them – homes that are completely customized to your needs, not cookie-cutter copies of someone else's vision. That's the real value a designer brings to your renovation journey, and why it's one of the smartest investments you can make in your home.

Monique Sartor is the founder and principal designer at Sartorial Interiors, specialising in creating unique, personality-driven spaces that balance creativity with practical livability for discerning Sydney homeowners.