The proliferation of digital transformation (smartphone apps, etc.) and the swath of instructional YouTube / TikTok videos has made the do-it-yourself (DIY) concept a viable alternative to using professional services in many areas. It can be applied to baking, cooking, crafting, fitness, gardening, and more to great success. But in some areas the DIY concept should not be attempted. This is obvious for medical and dental interventions, but we also suggest that DIY interior design can be a high-risk endeavor. Think we’re exaggerating? Please keep reading!
Why Homeowners Should Never Attempt Do-It-Yourself Interior Design and Why it's More Cost Efficient to Use a Professional
Risk of Structural Damage
It’s important to note that this is not interior decorating that we’re talking about, but interior design which includes elements of interior architecture. A need for interior design work in the home infers the need to make structural alternations. Structural alterations are any changes made to the load-bearing elements of a home, such as walls, foundations, and beams. These changes may seem to be purely cosmetic, but opening up a wall to create a more open floor plan (etc.) can compromise the safety and stability of a house or condo. Unless you or someone in your household is an established interior designer/architect it’s best to leave it to a professional contractor. Otherwise you risk structural damage which will cost you significantly more to repair.
Creating Energy Inefficiencies
The removal or addition of structures, replacement of window coverings, addition of windows or skylights, and installation of lighting systems among other supposed enhancements all impact energy efficiency in the home. It can work for or against your carbon footprint and subsequent annual energy expenditure. Unless you have expertise in how all of these updates interact with natural light, existing HVAC systems, wall cladding and insulation, and so forth, DIY interior design runs the risk of creating energy inefficiencies that can hit you hard in the pocketbook.
Choosing the Wrong Materials for Your Needs
Homeowners attempting DIY interior design generally choose flooring, tiles, textiles, finishings furnishings, and even paints based solely on aesthetics. They don’t realize that materials need to account for the internal environment of the home, considering everything from how exposure to natural light, temperature fluctuations, and occupant interaction all impact the integrity of said materials. A professional interior designer takes a scientific approach to it all, surveying the property and all of its elements, and even occupants to ensure that all materials used in the upgrades merge perfectly with it all. Without doing this, the flooring, tiles, textiles, finishings, and furnishings may need to be repaired or replaced far too often to make it economically pleasing much less aesthetically so.
Risk of Devaluing Your Property Value
Research shows that professional interior design can result in up to a 16% increase in the value of a home. DIY interior design however can have the opposite effect due to any or all of the above.
Delete any artificial intelligence (AI) driven iDIY interior design apps and unsubscribe to YouTube channels of the same vein. Instead, reap the rewards and return on investment (ROI) that comes with a professional interior design firm with a background in interior architecture. If your property is located in the Greater Vancouver BC area, schedule a FREE initial consultation with Calvert Design Studio today.