Why do you need an interior architect?

About to buy your first place and finding yourself with a million thoughts, a racing heart and a general sense of unease? It is probably not the menopause or a midlife crisis - you are most likely not even thirty yet.

It is simply a normal reaction to spending that much money. A square metre of housing in Poland is expensive - in 2018, when this piece was written, it averaged over 4,000 złoty. Your first thought will be: if only! People in larger cities pay considerably more. And that is true.

So how do you save money in the spending that follows? Because buying the flat is not the only decision ahead of you. All those questions are already circling: which tiles? A shower, or maybe not - a bath would be better? Will I have a wardrobe? Will a desk fit here? Does this go with that?

We have a solution to these problems. Hire an architect. Your space should not only look beautiful - it should reflect who you are and work in a way that suits your style and how you live. Does that sound impossible? The most comfortable, best spaces are carefully researched, planned and supervised by specialists.

Sadly, many people are still afraid to hire an interior architect. Does working through a design process with a studio worry you? Or the cost of it? We completely understand those doubts. Below are the five most important reasons why hiring an interior designer is the best move you can make - right after buying the flat, of course.

1. You want to save money

Worried the renovation will swallow more than your budget allows? Working with an architect will help you avoid expensive mistakes. Plan, organise, test - but above all, trust. When you do not design spaces for a living, you are not always aware of what to watch out for. A good designer is the one who will untangle the finer points of ergonomics and walk you through the services and installations keeping you up at night.

But that is not all. I think many of us remember those moments mid-renovation when, at the very last minute - just before the cable goes in or the wall gets painted - the builder asks: "Boss, what colour are we doing here?" or "Chief, where are we putting these switches?". Sound familiar?

An interior designer helps you avoid decisions made blindly, moments before the work happens. You will be confident in your choices and the renovation will not slip out of your control. An architect will also help you choose the best materials at the most reasonable prices - they are used to working to a budget and will help you understand where every last złoty is going.

2. You want to save time

You would rather the renovation did not drag on for months? Afraid of delays and a badly coordinated crew? The fact is that designing and building out most private interiors takes between two and six months, depending on the scope of work and the size of the investment. We will not pretend otherwise: the whole process demands your time and involvement.

This is where architects come in, supervising their own projects and making sure every detail is built to the drawings and specification. Even on a small renovation, each new day brings fresh challenges around material knowledge, technical understanding and coordinating trades. An architect who recommends the materials and where to buy them, supervises the contractors and keeps an eye on the programme will save you precious time.

3. You need materials recommended to you

The market holds an enormous quantity of materials, to be bought across an endless number of shops. This is where the difficulty of deciding - of choosing the right product - begins. Take fitting out a bathroom, the part clients dread most: sanitaryware, taps, drainage components, waterproofing, grout, accessories, storage furniture and much more besides.

There are not dozens but hundreds of brands making the products listed above. They differ in price, quality, material, construction and manufacturing process. Which will you choose? Your architect will recommend the best ones for your requirements, weighing price, quality, the space as designed and the tested opinions of other clients.

4. You do not have the technical knowledge

Interior architecture is not just about picking wall colours. It is a field built on a great deal of research into human comfort and ergonomics. A professional designer stands out not only for an above-average eye and spatial imagination - a grasp of technical matters is just as invaluable. Every design process means working with numerous specialists: electricians, plumbers, joiners. What connects them is the same set of drawings and the same architect, who will help you coordinate the trades and choose the best solutions.

5. You want to make the most of the space

Having spent that much on the flat, of course you want to use the space well and get as much out of it as you can. Function, form and ergonomics are inseparable from a properly run design process.

It does not matter how large your place is. If it is badly designed, the result is claustrophobia and unease. And each of us has our own needs, dreams and desires, our own style and way of living. That is exactly why it is worth making sure the space around you leaves you feeling, above all, comfortable. And do not worry if there are not many square metres to work with - an architect will help you find intelligent solutions.

And there is more...

• A properly designed kitchen can cut the time spent preparing meals by 60% and the time spent cooking by 28%.
• Working with an interior architect will spare your spine unnecessary strain, which is good for both how you feel and your health.
• A professionally designed flat has a considerably higher market value. Our experience also shows that properties bought as investments sell and let far faster than those never designed by professionals.

The most comfortable, best spaces are carefully researched, planned and supervised by specialists.

Photographs: Katarzyna Kozłowska-Maciejak (@lady2art)