Whether you’re to remodeling your existing home or build your dream home, projects can easily become too large to manage alone. Maybe you don’t currently live near your decorating project, or you work too much to allow for full management of design and execution. Or perhaps you just need the assistance of a professional to bring your space together beautifully. A great interior designer will focus on your needs and wants to make your home a customized space with expert design and supply the extra assistance managing the project’s budget and timeline.
In fact, many designers will save you money using their industry connections, inside details on the most beneficial deals, and manufacturer discounts. An experienced designer can produce professional layouts and designs that make their value worth their fees.
But before you rush to talk to the first name you find, take advantage of this checklist to ensure you select a credible and experienced designer who can deliver a result that you’ll love for years to come.
How does one find an interior designer?
The best place to start is to ask friends, family, or coworkers for a recommendation. Word-of-mouth remains to be the most valuable publicity around! You may also wish to research professional associations in your country or city to get a directory of participating designers, which leads to our first checklist point. Trends are always changing, therefore you want a designer who stays up-to-date on the industry and can recommend new ideas, such as these hot styles:
Check Credentials
The first item for your checklist should be a review of the designer’s credentials. Are they a part of any local or national design organizations and continuing education? As an example, in certain states across Canada and the United States, an interior designer must possess a license and NCIDQ Certificate to call him- or herself an “interior designer,” while anyone can use the phrase “interior decorator” without having formal training or certification process.
This is important to know if you are considering hiring someone who is an “interior decorator” – he or she may have good taste, but no education or training in lighting, layout, materials, and more. Research in your state or country to determine what training a designer may or may not have.
Finally, look for testimonials from the designer’s website, or a list of references right from the designer. Don’t be afraid to call a reference and ask specifically how the designer listened and interpreted that client’s needs. After all, it’s your own home; you should love your space and the process it will take to create it!
A professionally educated designer will be able to think creatively according to new trends and your available space to produce unique spaces.
Check out the Portfolio
Next on your checklist needs to be an in depth examination of the designer’s portfolio. The majority of people remember to do this when interviewing a designer. But it’s more than just looking for a “wow” factor.
First, look for a variety of different styles. The portfolio may look gorgeous, however if everything has a similar design? Then you already know that your home will likely wind up looking like a close copy of all the others.
A great interior designer can adjust to use dramatically different color palettes, styles (contemporary, traditional, period, etc.), textures, and layouts to customize a house based on your way of life. You definitely want to see a couple of designs that reflect some of your taste within the portfolio!
Also search for designs at different price points (you can inquire about the project budget for the photos). With an unlimited budget, an interior designer can create fantastic portfolio images. However, it’s just as important that he or she can finish attractive designs for any budget.
Ask for portfolio images that reflect your budget, a few more expensive projects, as well as some from a lower price point to get a sense of what’s possible. If you’ve found a reputable, trained interior designer with a varied portfolio that excites you, it’s time for the last step!
Have a Conversation
Today, many people work with designers who aren’t found in the same city as the owner or the home. This is especially true when it comes to a vacation home; the owner could be in New York, working with a designer and second home in Florida. It’s easy to believe that if you like a designer’s portfolio and background, then that’s all you need to get started – but be careful!
You should always, always speak to the designer as close to “in-person” as possible, via a phone call or Skype if you truly can’t arrange a face-to-face meeting. Speaking right to a designer in a meeting is the best way to test your future working relationship and ask some specific questions.
Have a few talking points in mind and bring in some photos of rooms that inspire you. Here are some potential questions to assist you to tell whether or not you’ll be able to work with and enjoy the collaborative design process with a particular interior designer.
Does he/she listen to you and ask questions about your unique lifestyle?
Does he/she attempt to persuade you just because “it looks good,” or because there is an actual reason associated with your floor plan, budget, etc.?
Can he/she comfortably accomplish your objectives within your budget?
Can he/she adjust to suit your style, schedule, as well as other needs?
Is he/she friendly and easy to reach on the phone or email? You’ll be spending considerable time talking, so you should get along with your designer. Otherwise, you won’t enjoy this process, which should be energizing and fun!
If you feel that the interior designer is listening closely to your ideas and capable to interpret your style, you’ve found a winner. Your home must reflect your personality and have unique touches, like the airy and bright beach-themed living room below together with the distinctive natural driftwood elements.
Don’t have a house to design or redesign? We can assist you with that. We have helped hundreds of clients find the home of their dreams here in the Tampa Bay and Surrounding Areas. We’re always just a click here or call to 813-3300-7116 away.