You can call home shows like "Trading Spaces" reality TV, but the way local designers see it, those shows reflect the reality of the interior-design process about as well as "The Bachelorette" reflects the Seattle dating scene.

"I think those TV shows are just the worst for the interior-design field — far from reality," says Carleen Cafferty of Carleen Cafferty Interior Design in Seattle.

While many agree that the shows do serve an educational purpose — raising awareness of design possibilities and increasing understanding of design elements — they also say they perpetuate myths and stereotypes that have plagued the industry for years.

Here are five of those misconceptions, and the reality behind them:

• Interior designers force their own styles on clients. Unlike reality design shows, designers say, the real-life process is collaborative.

"Today it's much more of a partnership, a co-creation," says Faith Sheridan of Faith Sheridan Interior Design. "I help my clients design and create the experiences they want in their home."

• Only millionaires can afford an interior designer. Nope. In fact, once you decide to invest in quality surroundings, a designer actually can help you spend less.

"Even with design fees at $100 an hour, I am guiding clients toward better products," Cafferty said. "In the end, they're not making expensive mistakes."

Some designers, like Vickie Elkins of Charisma in Bellevue, specifically target budget-minded clients. Elkins, whose design fee is $90 an hour, strives for "posh affordability" — a beautiful look for less money — sometimes by shopping discount stores for ready-made pillows, towels, frames or mirrors.

Clients also can take advantage of designer discounts and privileges.

Elkins, for example, pays wholesale prices for many of her materials and charges clients 10 to 30 percent above that. One particularly plush pillow fabric she selected cost $160 a yard wholesale. Adding 30 percent, her client would pay, at most, $208 a yard. And a retail customer? More than $417 a yard.

• You have to redo everything, or don't bother. "Very few people do a whole house at once," Sheridan said. "We may work in phases — do one part, then you take a breather and prioritize."

And even if you're designing only one room, you don't have to buy all new stuff.

"We often work with existing things — antiques, a favorite piece of art or an heirloom," Elkins said. "So when you're redoing, rethink: Maybe it's not necessary to invest in some pieces."

• Ugh. This is going to take forever. It won't. But it probably will take longer than a "Trading Spaces" weekend.

Though many designers offer half-day consultations or one-day makeovers, the typical one-room project lasts from three to six months, Elkins said.

True, somewhere between the planning and shopping and collaborating, you might find yourself waiting for something — carpet, a custom-made sofa or a special-order accessory.

"But it will go as quickly as your decisiveness can figure out your look," Elkins said.

• Designers are snobby. "People think we come in and change everything and call things ugly," Elkins said.

Most designers do not. But it's up to the client to pick a designer whose style — personal and professional — matches his or her own. And since most designers do not charge for consultations, it costs nothing to look around.