A Homeowner’s Journey from Chaos to Clarity

Ravi and Priya had just bought their dream apartment—a modest 3BHK in a growing city. They were excited, eager to move in, and like most new homeowners, they had one mission: make it look great within their budget.

They began their search for an interior designer but were quickly discouraged.

"Designers are too expensive."

"They’ll just push high-end materials."

"Why pay for design when I can just hire a contractor?"

So, like many others, they skipped hiring a designer and went straight to a local contractor. The deal seemed simple: "You tell us what you want, and we’ll make it happen."

Or so they thought.

At first, things moved fast. The contractor suggested a "modern and elegant" design. He brought catalogs, showed them glossy finishes, and assured them, "This is the best quality at the best price."

Excited, Ravi and Priya agreed. Work started. And then… the problems began.

Budget Overruns:

The contractor suddenly mentioned "unexpected costs"—extra wiring, premium plywood, installation charges. The initial budget? Gone.

Miscommunication:

The carpenter and electrician weren’t on the same page. The false ceiling had to be redone twice. The modular kitchen arrived with the wrong dimensions.

Aesthetic Mismatch:

What looked amazing in the showroom looked off in their home. The glossy laminates didn’t match the flooring. The lighting made the colors look dull.

By the time they realized things weren’t going as planned, it was too late. Money had been spent, work was halfway done, and the house felt… off.

One evening, frustrated and exhausted, Priya stumbled upon an article online: "Why You Should Hire a Designer First"

As she read, she had a sinking realisation:

• They had paid for execution, but not design.
• They had let the contractor make decisions instead of planning it themselves.
• They had skipped the one step that could have saved them time, money, and frustration.

Had they hired a designer first, they could have:

• Got a well-planned layout before spending a rupee on execution.
• Explored budget-friendly material alternatives.
• Compared vendor quotations to avoid overpaying.
• Hired the same designer as a project manager to ensure quality.

But instead, they had taken a shortcut—one that ended up costing them more.

Determined to fix what they could, Ravi and Priya decided to bring in a designer—even at this late stage.

The designer reviewed their space and pointed out simple yet game-changing adjustments:

• Rearranging furniture to improve space efficiency.
• Replacing the glossy laminates with a textured matte finish for a sophisticated look.
• Reworking the lighting to enhance the mood of each room.

Though some damage was done, these last-minute corrections transformed their home. It was a painful lesson, but they now understood something crucial:

• A designer isn’t just a stylist. They are problem-solvers.
• Skipping design doesn’t save money—it leads to costlier mistakes.
• With the right planning, even a limited budget can create an amazing home.

After their painful experience with the contractor, Ravi and Priya were determined to do things differently. They started looking for an interior designer, but the search quickly became frustrating.

Many designers they met did nothing more than:

• Show fancy 3D renders with expensive materials

• Recommend pre-made modular solutions from catalogs

• Act as middlemen between clients and vendors

Ravi sighed. "If a designer is just choosing things from catalogs, why do we need them at all?"

That’s when their perspective changed.

Most people in mid-budget projects assume designers are only for:

• Wardrobes and kitchen planning

• False ceilings and lighting layouts

• Selecting sofas, curtains, and wallpapers

But that’s NOT design. That’s curation and coordination.

A real designer does much more:

• Space Planning – Ensuring every square foot is used wisely

• Material Knowledge – Knowing what lasts, what’s cost-effective, and what’s just marketing hype

• Functionality over Looks – Ensuring good ventilation, lighting, and movement flow

• Budget Optimisation – Making the best choices within your budget, not just picking expensive materials

• Problem Solving – Anticipating and fixing issues before they arise

Design isn’t just picking colors and finishes. It’s about creating a better space for how you live.

This time, Ravi and Priya knew exactly what to look for before hiring a designer. They had learned their lesson—the hard way.

Design is not about choosing fancy finishes or coordinating vendors—it’s about solving real problems, creating lasting value, and expressing who you are.

So how do you know if a designer is the real deal?

Before hiring an interior designer, ask them:

• Can you explain the difference between MDF, plywood, and WPC—not just 

• How will this home be energy-efficient? What materials and layouts will reduce power consumption?

• why do I need false ceiling?Can you blend tradition with modern design?

• Can you incorporate local art, heirlooms, or cultural elements meaningfully?

• What part of design excites you most—and why?

​Designer's answer tells you whether he or she is a  ​problem-solver or a stylist.

• How do you plan ventilation? Will there be cross-ventilation to reduce A/C dependency?

• Tell me about a past project—successes and lessons.

• What did you solve, what changed during execution, and what would you do differently?

• What materials are VOC-free and safe for indoor air quality?

• Will you share clear drawings and specs?

• Can I take your design to any vendor for fair comparison and execution?

• How do you ensure the design is executed exactly as planned?”

• Do you offer supervision? If not, will your drawings be detailed enough for independent execution?

• Can you help us review quotations, work orders, and site progress?

• How can this home use less energy or reduce waste?

• Ask if they understand and prioritize sustainability.

• Do they care about where materials come from, or how long they last? Can they recommend:

​Low-VOC paints and adhesives?

​Energy-efficient lighting and appliances?

​Durable, repairable, and recyclable materials?

Bottom Line:

The right questions reveal the right designers.

You don’t need to be a design expert to find a good designer. You just need to ask questions that go beneath the surface.

Because if a designer can’t explain their thinking clearly, they probably haven’t thought deeply enough.

But sometimes, even if a designer is young or less experienced—if they’re honest, enthusiastic, and willing to learn—give them a chance. Bcoz sincerity, curiosity, and humility are the foundations of great design.

The biggest realisation Ravi and Priya had was this:

Designers will only improve when clients start expecting more.

If clients keep paying for just:

Fancy 3D renders,

Trendy Pinterest looks.

and Catalog-based selections

…then the design industry will remain stuck in ‘coordination mode’ rather than ‘problem-solving mode’.

But if clients demand better planning, smart material choices, and real expertise, designers will have no choice but to step up.

Months later, when their home was finally complete—designed properly this time—Ravi and Priya shared their experience with friends.

• "Don’t hire a designer just for aesthetics—hire them to solve problems."

• "A good designer saves you money. A bad one makes you spend more or try to sell more."

• "Be an informed client. Ask questions. Challenge their knowledge."

They realised that changing the design industry in India starts with clients. If clients demand better—better planning, better execution, better problem-solving—designers will evolve.

If designers don’t step up—and if clients don’t demand more—design as a profession will be reduced to shopping assistance

So before you hire an interior designer, ask yourself:

Are you paying for a creator or a coordinator or a contractor or a curator?

The answer will define not just your home—but the future of design in India.