The interior design industry is filled with all kinds of stereotypes and misconceptions which unfortunately can discourage somebody from wanting to work with an interior designer. We love what we do and we believe in what we do with a passion! At Joshua Allen Design, we are here to break the stigma that interior design isn't for everybody, because it is. We've gathered 5 common misconceptions that we come across all the time, and we want to set the record straight. In this blog, we will explain what an interior designer actually does and, more importantly, why you should not be reluctant to work with one.

#1) Hiring an interior designer is way too expensive. This is not true! A common misconception is people believe that hiring a designer requires a large base income, but this is far from the truth! At Joshua Allen Design we pride ourselves on bringing interior design to the every day person, and we work within any budget. Interior design is not reserved for the rich. Contrary to what the media might show, interior design IS for everybody. We are here to help our clients transform their spaces within ANY budget. We help our clients make well-informed purchase decisions. We simply give you our recommendations and you can purchase from any vendor of your choice! Oftentimes, we can even help you save money (surprising, I know) because with the help and advice of a designer you avoid making any costly design mistakes.

#2) Interior design is only necessary in larger spaces. No room is too small! It is a designers job to transform even the most challenging spaces into functional and appealing living spaces. Home offices, laundry rooms, mudrooms, foyers, pantry, etc. You name it, we've designed it! No job is too small, if you have an awkward room in your home that you're not quite sure what to do with, you need the help of an interior designer! There is nothing we dislike more than a room being wasted space - we can help transform that awkward space into a functioning room that your family can use.

#3) The designer calls all the shots. False - we value your opinion a lot! After all, it is YOUR home, it should reflect who YOU are as a person. We as designers are here to help as much or as little as needed. We never let our personal preferences get in the way of our client's taste or style. We put the time and effort into learning your design style, and we create spaces that showcase your personality! At Joshua Allen Design, we love being able to work with all different customers with all different styles. You're unique and we see that, so we are committed to creating spaces as unique as the individuals living in them! We don't believe design is one size fits all. How boring would the world of design be without diversity?

#4) Interior design means buying all new stuff. Reimagining your space does not mean you need to start from scratch! You do not need to ditch all your existing furniture for your space to feel fresh & new. Let us know the elements of your space that you love and we will incorporate modern trends that will complement your existing pieces. For instance, if you have a sofa and a coffee table in your living room that you absolutely love... that's great! We will simply use those pieces for inspiration when creating your design. Again, updating your space doesn't need to break the bank! At Joshua Allen Design we are all for saving money when you can - why fix something that's not broken, right?

#5) Interior design is only about decorating and colors. Many people get interior design and interior decorating confused. Some believe designers only work with colors, fabrics, and decor, but really that's only a small fraction of what the job is. We specialize in spacial planning, so we don't just enhance the look of your space we also enhance the functionality of your overall space. We help with everything from color selection and space layout to professional sourcing of lighting and furnishings. Once the details of your project are determined and planned, we begin digitally designing your space. We plan your space, create digital floor plans, 3D renders (pictured above) virtual walk-throughs, and elevated drawings. There is a lot that goes on behind closed doors, and many people don't understand what an interior designer does on a day-to-day basis.

We really hope this helped to clear up what it's actually like to work with an interior designer. We would hate for anybody to miss out on the opportunity to work hand in hand with a designer, all because of a few silly misconceptions. Your home is meant to be your happy place, right? So why shouldn't EVERYBODY be able to have their dream home!

As always, we appreciate any ideas, input, and feedback from our community and clients. So drop us a line in the comments below, chat with us on our Facebook page or email us at josh@joshuaallendesign.com! Don't forget to follow us on instagram (@joshuaallendesign) Twitter (@j_allen_design) and subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we post new design-related videos each week!