Way back before I started Daakor, I had a busy corporate career. I was living the kind of life that looks great on paper — weekly commuting between Toronto and San Francisco, climbing the ladder, and juggling all the demands that come with that. But what no one really talks about is how hard it is to keep everything else in your life moving when your career is full throttle.
At the same time, I was renovating my condo in downtown Toronto… while staying at my parents’ place in Guelph, Ontario. Life felt chaotic — between airports, renovation decisions, and everything else — and the weekends were never long enough to get it all done.
But even back then, having a home that felt good — that felt like me — was important. To me, that meant more than just having new cabinets or pretty tiles. It meant creating a space where I could breathe after a long week. A place where I could recharge, host friends, or simply enjoy a quiet coffee in the morning without staring at unfinished projects or half-done rooms.
Looking back, I wish I’d reached out to a professional at the time. Not because I didn’t know what I liked — but because I didn’t have the time, the headspace, or frankly, the energy to pull it all together while life was so hectic.
If I had, I know I would have been enjoying my own space so much sooner — not just physically living there, but really living in it. Feeling settled. Proud to invite people over. Having that calm, beautifully finished space to come home to at the end of every week.
It’s something I hear from clients all the time now — they’ve tried, but the project drags on for months (sometimes years), and it takes a toll. That’s why I wanted to write this — because sometimes, the real sign you need help isn’t lack of taste or vision… it’s just realizing you don’t have to carry the whole thing alone.
Images via Pinterest.
Sign #1: You’ve Spent Hours on Pinterest… and You’re Still Stuck
If you’re anything like most of the homeowners I work with, you’ve probably spent hours scrolling Pinterest or saving Instagram posts, collecting hundreds of beautiful kitchens, cozy living rooms, or dreamy bedroom ideas.
At first, it feels exciting. Inspiring, even. But after a while, all that inspiration starts to blur together. Suddenly, you’re overwhelmed by choices. Every pin looks beautiful but completely different from the last. One minute you’re sure you want a clean, modern look… the next, you’re wondering if you should lean into that warm, cozy traditional vibe.
The problem isn’t that you lack style or good taste. It’s that translating those gorgeous inspiration photos into your real space– your square footage, your layout, your existing piece– is a whole different skill set. And it’s hard to do alone.
What you end up with is a bunch of beautiful ideas… and zero clue how to actually bring them together into one cohesive space that feels right for you. And that feeling? That’s often the first sign it’s time to call in a professional. Someone who can see the common thread in everything you’ve been drawn to and pull it together into a design that works for your home and your life.
Because the truth is your dream home isn’t sitting on Pinterest. It’s waiting to be created and that’s where a designer comes in.
Images via Pinterest.
Sign #2: You Keep Buying Pieces… but Nothing Seems to Work Together
This is another one I see all the time. You walk into a store, see a sofa you love, and think, “This is it! This is what my living room needs.” So you buy it.
A few weeks later, you realize… the new sofa doesn’t really work with the rug you already have. Or the coffee table looks too small now. So you go looking for a new rug… then new throw pillows… and before you know it, you’ve spent thousands of dollars piecemealing your home together and somehow, it still doesn’t feel right.
The problem? You’re decorating backwards. You’re reacting to each new piece instead of working from a plan.
It’s kind of like grocery shopping without a recipe. You keep throwing things into the cart that seem good, but when you get home, nothing really goes together and you still have no idea what’s for dinner.
That’s where an interior decorator changes everything. We don’t just pick pretty things, we create a plan. A roadmap that considers scale, colour palette, materials, and the overall flow of your home. So every piece you bring in feels intentional, cohesive, and part of a bigger vision.
No more random purchases. No more expensive regrets. Just a home that finally feels pulled together — because it is.
Images via Pinterest.
Sign #3: You’re Afraid to Make an Expensive Mistake
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “I’m so scared of choosing the wrong thing — what if I hate it once it’s in?”
And honestly? I get it. Furnishing and decorating your home isn’t cheap. Every decision feels high stakes because once you spend that money on the wrong tile, the wrong sofa, the wrong light fixture. It’s not always easy (or affordable) to undo it.
So instead… you freeze. You put off buying anything. You second-guess every sample, every colour, every option. Months pass (sometimes even years) and your home still doesn’t feel finished because you’re paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong.
Here’s the thing. That fear is totally valid. Mistakes in home design are expensive. And frustrating. But this is exactly where working with a professional designer pays for itself.
A good designer helps you make confident decisions the first time. We’ve made hundreds of these choices — every single day — and we know how to balance style, functionality, and budget. We help you see the big picture and sweat the small stuff, so you don’t have to.
Because the goal isn’t just to spend less, it’s to stop wasting money on things you regret later. And honestly, that kind of peace of mind? It’s priceless.
Images via Pinterest.
Sign #4: You and Your Partner Can’t Agree on Design Choices
Ah… this one comes up more often than you’d think. And if you’ve been there, you know exactly what I mean.
You’re leaning toward a light, airy space with soft neutrals… your partner’s dreaming of dark leather, bold colours, and that oversized recliner they think is perfect. What starts out as an exciting project quickly turns into a standoff. and suddenly, no one wants to make a decision because neither of you wants to “lose.” Sound familiar?
The truth is decorating is personal. Our homes represent comfort, safety, and memories. So it’s no surprise that design decisions can sometimes stir up tension.
That’s actually why one of our past clients described working with us as “Couples Design Counselling”. And honestly? I couldn’t have said it better.
Because that’s exactly what a good designer does. We’re not just here to pick pretty things. We act as a neutral third party who listens to both of you, finds common ground, and creates a space that feels like home for both of you.
The result? Less arguing, fewer stand-offs… and a home you’re both excited about. Because honestly, you shouldn’t have to choose between a space you love and your relationship surviving the decorating process.
Images via Pinterest.
Sign #5: You’re Busy and Don’t Have Time to Figure It All Out
Life is busy. Between work, family, and everything else on your plate, finding time to research, plan, and execute a whole design project can feel impossible.
And sure, you could figure it out eventually. But do you really want to spend your precious weekends scrolling through endless furniture sites, double-checking measurements, or trying to decide which shade of white paint actually works in your space?
Most of the homeowners I work with tell me the same thing: it’s not that they don’t know what they like… it’s that they just don’t have the time, or the mental bandwidth to pull it all together. The longer it drags on, the more frustrating it gets. Rooms stay half-finished. Boxes sit unopened. And that dream of having a beautiful, finished home keeps getting pushed further down the to-do list.
That’s where working with a designer is a total game-changer.
We take the hundreds of micro-decisions off your plate, so instead of spending hours debating which dining chair works best or whether your new rug is the right size, you get a plan that’s tailored, cohesive, and ready to execute.
Because the truth is you’ve got better things to do with your time. And coming home to a finished space that feels done? It’s worth every second you didn’t have to spend figuring it out yourself.
Images via Pinterest.
Sign #6: You’re Planning a Major Renovation or New Build and Feel Overwhelmed
There’s nothing more exciting or more overwhelming than planning a major renovation or building a home from scratch.
Suddenly, you’re making decisions you’ve never even thought about before: tile layouts, plumbing fixtures, cabinet door profiles, flooring transitions… and every choice feels like it comes with a hefty price tag if you get it wrong.
And here’s the thing– the contractor, the builder, the trades — they’re all looking to you for answers. “Where exactly do you want the sconces placed?” “Did you pick the grout colour yet?” “Do you want the floors laid straight or in a herringbone pattern?”
If you’re already feeling overwhelmed reading this, know that it’s not just you. Most homeowners hit this exact moment and realize: “I need help.”
Because while your builder is there to build, they’re not there to design. That’s a different job. And it’s where an interior designer saves you time, money, and headaches.
We think through the big picture and the little details, making sure every decision you make now works together later. We help you avoid costly mistakes, like ordering the wrong size light fixture or realizing after install that your quartz countertop you love competes with your backsplash.
The earlier you bring a designer in, the better. Because those decisions happen fast. And having someone guide you through it means you get to the finish line with a home that looks intentional, cohesive, and exactly how you imagined it… without second-guessing every step along the way.
Images via Pinterest.
Sign #7: You Want a Home That Reflects You, Not Just Another Pinterest Copycat
At the end of the day, what most people really want, and what I hear from clients over and over, is a home that feels like them.
Not just a space that looks pretty in photos or checks all the trend boxes… but one that feels personal, lived-in, and deeply connected to who they are and how they live.
And that’s the thing Pinterest can’t give you. It can inspire, sure, but it can’t tell your story. It can’t know that you love traveling and want to incorporate pieces from your favorite trips… or that you need a cozy reading nook because that’s how you unwind after a long day. It won’t remind you that your dogs need space to lounge without ruining the furniture.
That’s what a good interior designer does.
We don’t just create beautiful rooms, we create your home. One that reflects your lifestyle, your personality, and the way you actually live. We make sure it flows, feels cohesive, and most importantly feels like you.
Because at the end of the day, your home should be your favorite place to be — not just another version of something you saw online.
Images via Pinterest.
How an Interior Designer Helps You Solve These Problems
Almost every client I’ve ever worked with came to me stuck somewhere along their journey. Overwhelmed. Frustrated. Unsure how to pull it all together or how to move forward without making costly mistakes.
And that’s exactly where working with an interior designer changes everything.
Here’s what we really do (and it’s so much more than just picking pretty things):
- We create a plan— before you spend a dime
Instead of guessing your way through one decision at a time, we map out the big picture so every choice feels intentional and connected. No more random shopping trips or expensive regrets. - We help you visualize the end result
Most people struggle to see how it all comes together. Designers create mood boards, renderings, layouts — tools that take the guesswork out and help you picture the final space before you start buying. - We source pieces that fit your style, your space, and your budget
No more endless scrolling. No more wondering if it’ll fit. We narrow it down to what actually works — saving you hours of time and decision fatigue. - We protect you from costly mistakes
From ordering the wrong size sofa to choosing tile that doesn’t play nice with your layout — design mistakes are expensive. We help you avoid them. - We help couples get on the same page
Remember that Couples Design Counselling? It’s real. We listen to both of you and create a design that reflects both styles — without the fights. - We make the process easier, faster, and honestly… way more fun
Because this should be exciting — not stressful.
At the end of the day, hiring a designer isn’t just about making your home beautiful (though, yes — that happens). It’s about finally getting unstuck and crossing that finish line — with a space that feels pulled together, thoughtful, and exactly like you imagined.
Images via Pinterest.
Ready to Get Unstuck? Here’s What to Do Next:
If any of these signs hit home, maybe it’s time to stop spinning your wheels and get some expert help.
>> Start with our Room Rx — a personalized design review of your space
>> Or book a Discovery Call to chat about your project and see if we’re the right fit
Let’s get you out of that stuck place and one step closer to the home you’ve been dreaming about.
