What To Look For In An Interior Designer

(Guest Writer: Hamish Ash)

Are you planning to move into a new home? Or do you wish to revamp your old home? Investing in an interior designer can be a great idea. If you think an interior designer works only with the homes of the rich and famous, you are wrong. A professional interior designer can deal even with smaller projects.

Sure, a DIY project can be fun if you are design-minded, but do you have the time for the never-ending research on the latest décor trends? On top of that, you will have to choose the right type of furniture and fittings and get all the little things sorted.

To achieve the best results, allow a professional to work with a mood board interior design instead.

Image © Decorilla.com

Here is what to look for in an interior designer if you are looking to hire one.

Start By Looking In The Right Places

In order to find the right interior designer for your home, first, you will have to search in the right places. Websites and social media like LinkedIn are great places to find them but do gather recommendations from acquaintances as well.

People who have recently hired an interior designer are the best people to approach. You can approach design schools as well. Homeowners also hunt for designers in décor magazines and blogs that deal with architecture and design. Shortlist them and pick a handful to approach.

Conduct A Background And Portfolio Check

An experienced interior designer will have certificates from courses they have taken and portfolios to showcase. Get to know the areas they specialize in and see if they are great at innovating and dealing with challenges.

Some designers will be willing to take you on an on-site tour to show their works. It is a great opportunity to check with the client about their working style and also check if they can work within a budget and a certain timeline.

Look For A Friendly And Honest Professional Who Respects Your Choices

You don’t necessarily have to become best friends with your designer, but you should at least like each other and be on friendly terms, especially if you are planning to work collaboratively. Being honest with each other is a must concerning your budget and design ideas.

Moreover, your designer should respect your home and your choices and decisions. After all, it is your house, and you are going to live in it, not them.

Hire A Professional Who Is Flexible

Hiring a professional leads to flexibility. Does your designer have good flexibility? Don’t forget that it is your house and you are at liberty to have a say on what goes where. Good designers will be open to suggestions and concerns though they have their own ideas and styles. Go for someone who is easy to work with.

Be Prepared To Ask The Right Questions

When you meet up with your designer, be ready to ask the right questions.

• Do you have a particular style which you like or dislike?
• What is your internal structure?
• Can you give an approximate timing of when the project will be completed?
• What do your charges cover?
• In case something goes wrong, how do you resolve it?

These are all great questions to ask your interior designer. And an experienced professional should be prepared to answer them honestly.

A Cheaper Option Is Not Always The Best Choice

Don’t settle for the first interior designer who offers to design your home at a lower price. Meet with all the designers you have shortlisted and compare notes you have taken down during the meetings.

Compare the estimates you have gathered and make a list of pros and cons. Remember, opting for the cheaper option is not always the best idea. You don’t want to end up investing in another designer to redo everything the wrong designer has designed. And there is the time factor to consider as well.

Is Your Interior Designer Insured?

Though you might not need the insurance, the professional you hire should be insured. Check if your interior designer has indemnity insurance. If he/she does not have it, look for someone who does.

Can Your Designer Present A Visual Representation Of The Project?

In this world of technology, tech has become a great part of interior design. Modern designers can now digitally showcase clients what your home will look like by using software programs. It is a plus if your designer can present a visual representation of the project. It makes things easier for both parties.

Your Designer Should Have Access To The Best Products

Even if your designer has the best designing skills, if he/she doesn’t have access to the best products, you can continue with the project. See that the professional you hire has access to a whole range of best products, starting from window coverings to floorings and furniture or décor items.

It will be a shame if your designer has great ideas but is unable to implement them due to a lack of products.

Look For References And Feedbacks

It is always wise to check your interior designer’s references and feedback. In the process, you can gauge the type of experience their previous clients had. Good designers will provide references. Also, visit their websites and check testimonials. You should be sharp enough to identify if the feedback came from fake profiles or real ones. Genuine testimonials include both good and bad reviews.

Winding Up

Though the task of finding the right interior designer for your home may sound daunting, often taking time, it can be made easier by following the procedures listed above.

Never jump on the first designer that you meet who shakes your hand, flashes a smile, and offer a lower price.

Consider all the pros and cons and conduct a thorough background check before settling on the right one to avoid regret and wastage.

Also, don’t be intimidated by the professional you hire, and don’t lose your voice. Be open-minded, yet pass on your ideas so that you create a home that feels like your own home.