How a Home Stylist (interior designer) can save you money

Removing the myth: You don't need an elaborate budget to hire a Home Stylist

Oct 11, 2024

I want to remove the myth that you need to have an elaborate budget to commission my services.

One reason I prefer the title “Home Stylist” over “Interior Designer” is that it feels more approachable and accessible to any budget. While “Interior Designer” might suggest exclusivity for the wealthy and privileged, “Home Stylist” feels more inclusive.

At the end of the day, I juggle my Home Styling business alongside my Product Consultancy business, where I’m currently commissioned full-time by the rugby brand SAMURAI. This should clear up any myths that “interior designers” are all on six-figure salaries. It’s just not true!

During initial consultations, potential clients often apologise for “wasting my time” assuming they can’t afford my services. However, once we discuss their needs and I explain my pricing tiers, they often find that my packages can be adapted to fit their budget.

“Sonya is a real find! She works professionally and is super responsive. She is knowledgeable and brimming with ideas that will work in your house to make it your home. Sonya is also very flexible in her services which meant we got exactly what we needed. Loved working with her!”

Carolyn, Suffolk

If you’re looking for advice on how to turn your house into a home, I’m here to help.

I support busy homeowners in transforming their house into a serene, cosy home.

Working with a Home Stylist can take away the worry of making costly mistakes and will help towards you creating a beautiful home.

I offer a selection of home interior services, all individually tailored to meet each clients needs.

Home Styling
Home Organising
Photo Styling
Interiors Personal Shopper

All of my services begin with a complimentary consultation, either in person (depending on location), via video call or by phone. This allows me to fully understand what your needs, preferences and practicalities are at the start of the project.

While some might say I should charge for this service, it’s important to me that my clients feel completely comfortable and clear about what they will receive by commissioning my services.

“Sonya is warm and welcoming, immediately putting me the client at ease. She was easy to talk to and completely understood my design requirements, coming up with a simple to execute brief. Highly recommend!”

Helen, Norfolk

In most cases, offering a project price is the best approach for everyone.

By outlining exactly what will be included in each phase, my clients have clear transparency about what costs are for each part of the project.

For some projects, it’s as simple as defining a selection of colour schemes for a renovation . For others, there may be a multiple phases, from defining colour schemes and working out room layouts, to arranging additional finishing touches, and sourcing new products.

When budgets are tighter, splitting the project into phases can be beneficial, allowing us to focus on one phase at a time, which allows the cost to be spread over the duration of the project.

I’d like to take a moment to explain in more detail the services I offer. This isn’t a “hard sell”, but rather an insight into how a Home Stylist can assist in transforming your house into a home.

Sometimes, we assume everyone understands the available services, but this isn’t always obvious, especially if you don’t fully embrace interior design. That’s likely why you’d be reaching out for my services.

Whether you’re preparing for a house move, need advice on choosing a colour scheme for your next renovation project, or are looking for a specific item to refresh your existing home interior, my services can support you every step of the way; from the very beginning of moving into your home to when you decide to sell.

Home Styling

Let me help you with styling your home in a unique way.

Whether you need inspiration for choosing a colour scheme for your next renovation project or advice on how best to layout your room, I can assist.

I can help you define your home décor style, whether it’s enhancing your current design theme, or moving towards a complete décor change. This may include guidance on colour schemes, advice on those important finishing touches, or sourcing bespoke items and furnishings to give your home that unique feel.

A person’s hands holding open a colour swatch card. The card is open on a page with different shades of grey. There are other colour swatch cards scattered around the table. There is a notebook and laptop on the table.

“Sonya was great and a total interior design saviour. I had really been struggling to figure out my paint colour ideas and it had all become a bit overwhelming, but after a chat she was able to see what I was thinking and put together a great selection of colour palettes- so now I know where to start in creating my own home’s aesthetic. Thank you!”

Karen, Inverness

Home Organising

Looking for help in creating an organised and clutter-free home?

Whether your moving home or need some support during difficult times such as divorce, separation or bereavement; I provide an empathetic approach. Together, we’ll identify items you no longer need and find the right storage solutions to help you keep your home organised.

A hand pulling out a drawer from a wooden cabinet. The cabinet has multiple drawers with different designs and textures. The drawer being pulled out is made of wood and has a colour chart with a dark grey cover being pulled out.

Photo Styling

Are you looking for a way to showcase your property with a collection of beautifully styled photos?

Whether you’re selling your property and want it to stand out, or you have a holiday let and need to update your website, I will work to your specified brief to create the style you’re looking for.

Using your existing furniture, soft furnishings and decorative accessories, I will create a stylish space that appeals to your target audience.

Large bright lounge with two cream sofas positioned opposite each other covered in brightly coloured cushions of turquoise and cerise pink

“Sonya worked as my stylist on a two day photoshoot in Buckinghamshire. She was a joy to work with and her attention to detail was superb. Her ability to time manage, and complete spaces ahead of the photography made shooting a massive manor house possible in two days. Highly recommended!”

Anya, Suffolk

Interiors Personal Shopper

Looking for something with the wow factor, an interior piece that really stands out?

If you’re a regular reader of The Stylish Home you’ll be familiar with my monthly shopping guides.

Whether you’re refreshing your existing home interiors, searching for a specific item, or desiring something bespoke, I can source that special piece for you.

The living room has a white leather armchair with a matching ottoman on a wooden floor. There is a large stained glass window on the left wall with a plant in front of it. There are large bi-fold doors positioned to the right leading into a conservatory.

More importantly, I believe there are three essential skills that lead to a successful interior design collaboration:

Listen: Truly understanding a clients needs is the foundation of creating a successful design.
Vision: You need to be able to visualise what your client is looking for in creating their dream home.
Organise: Mastering time management is crucial to ensure a project runs smoothly.

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s post and found it informative. More importantly, I hope it has changed your perception of using a Home Stylist in the future.

If you’re interested in discussing your next home decorating project, feel free to book a consultation.

I’m also always open to collaborating with other interior designers. If you’re an interior designer reading todays post and would like to connect, please do drop me a message.

Next week, I’ll be sharing my next colour montage for the month. If you have any preferences on which colour you’d like me to focus on, please add them in the comments.