THE ROLE OF AN INTERIOR DESIGNER
- Mary Hines
- Mar 3, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 3, 2025
Sometimes when I tell people I am an interior designer, they smile and say “oh that’s cool,” but I know they are really thinking… “What does an interior designer ACTUALLY do and WHY would I need to hire one?”
Folks often think of an “interior designer” as a “decorator” redoing spaces with their own particular trendy taste. However, this is NOT my approach, and this is WHY…
Let’s face it, allowing someone in to transform your personal space can be vulnerable. Our home is our comfort zone, and oftentimes the last thing we want is someone coming in and telling us what to do with it. For me, this is where the work begins: building trust with the person I’m working with by taking the time to understand their needs and desires. My goal is to design a space with them from that place.
I have a very “client-centered” approach, which consists of asking a lot of important questions about your personal goals and how you intend to use your space. I love learning about what you need and helping you get in touch with what you desire. There are certain things that you likely already know about yourself, such as what colors you like, a general sense of what style you are attracted to, or certain features you would like to include.
However, there might be things you don’t know yet, such as:
- Why your space hasn’t been bringing you the fulfillment that you seek
- How to move it in a new direction that’s attainable on your budget
- How to bring a design together with a cohesive vision that brings you the most long term fulfillment
Having a skilled designer with a trained eye can be a helpful way to open up to new possibilities. What I bring to the table is a breadth of knowledge of different directions a design can be taken in, from style to functionality. The ultimate goal is finding the direction that is going to work best for you.
I’ve realized that more than anything, being a designer is about cultivating a designer’s mindset to help my clients see their space in a new way. The mindset I am speaking of is about the conversation between form and function and how they can play together harmoniously to create an optimal space for both you and the people you will be sharing your space with.
The “function” side addresses the primary uses of the space. An example can be, “I need a space for my spouse and me as we are growing older that is going to be ADA, wheelchair accessible since my partner has M.S. and we anticipate them needing elder care in the future. We would still like to have some space to be able to entertain family members, but ultimately we’re trying to use as much of the house as we can with the things we love doing to stay engaged while we still have mobility.”
The “form side” addresses style and discovering what you are drawn to and what gives you pleasure. For example, “we just love the feeling of being in a Mediterranean villa. Even though we live in a cold environment, we want to feel warm, full of ease, and have lots of natural light inside our space. We love to cook and want a pantry space with lots of storage and an island to bake on. We have some antiques from our family members that we would love to meaningfully incorporate into our design, but we are open to updating some of the furniture that’s had a lot of wear and tear over the years."
Here's are inspiration images that could become a starting point for their design:
As you can see from my examples, design is a deeply personal thing. Designing a home for a mature couple is going to be very different from designing a home for someone who is single and career-focused, but is dating and open to having a long-term mate in their life. This person may live in a modern industrial loft. They love exposed brick, and the charcoal black and warm wood tones. They desire a look that is sleek, free of clutter, and also very well organized and functional for their needs. They may desire some high-end features such as custom cabinetry, but they also want to make sure that they are staying true to their budget, so as not to “break the bank.”
Here's an example of an image I'd use a departure point for this client's design:
This is going to be very different from the needs of a single mother who recently received an inheritance and wants to upgrade her home to have more privacy and space for her and her two children. She loves traditional style and wants to make life as easy and functional as possible for her responsibilities, such as preparing regular meals and doing lots of laundry, but also wants a sanctuary space with a comfortable bed and private bath for herself at the end of the day.
Here are inspiration images I would use for this particular client:
This is why I don’t believe in forcing my personal taste onto my clients, because every client is highly unique and there isn’t going to be a “one-size-fits-all” solution for everyone. The power of good design is that it has the potential to be customized. A skilled designer has a well-rounded skill set to help you successfully achieve your goals.
So then the question becomes, “WHO ARE YOU?” What are your needs and desires at this particular stage in your life?
If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation to discuss how I can assist you with creating YOUR Home Sanctuary Design, you are welcome to email me at maryarosehines@gmail.com. The initial call is free to get clear on your goals and see if we are a good fit. From there I provide a quote based on your budget.
You can learn more about my work here: www.homesanctuarydesign.com
