While interior designers can offer invaluable guidance during the home decorating process, they’re not all one-size-fits-all. So how do you find one that “gets” you and your vision for your space? These five questions can help you determine whether a potential interior designer is a good match for your home interior design project.
“When I first entered the field, I felt very strongly that if you’re a good designer you can capture anyone’s style exactly,” interior designer Cara Scarola told Sunset. “Now I disagree.” Scarola has since come to realize that designers work best on projects that appeal to their unique sensibilities. Perhaps the simplest way to know if that sensibility agrees with yours? Scarola recommends asking to see the designer’s home, as well as samples of their work.
Interior designer Mark D. Sikes, meanwhile, proposes asking questions which “get to the heart of a designer’s aesthetic,” according to Architectural Digest. His list of question? “What are your design signatures? What project have you designed that was your favorite? What are your favorite colors to use in your projects? What’s your favorite room or home of all time, and why? Where is your favorite travel destination and how do those elements reflect in your work?”
Do you expect to be directly involved throughout the design process, or are you looking to pass along full creative control? Knowing the designer’s expectations for client involvement can help you achieve an optimal working relationship.
This is also an opportunity to determine how a designer will communicate with you regarding your home decor. Detailed drawings, floor plans, a schedule, and budget are all indicators of effective project management.
A good designer should be able to understand your aesthetic and translate it into a cohesive and compelling interior design. This can occur through several techniques, including everything from showing you photos to assessing what’s already in your home. “You don’t have to understand why you like something, just that you have a positive reaction. We’ll figure the rest out,” continued Scarola.
Developing a firm sense of how you live is just as important for a designer. After all, a truly chic and comfortable home is about much more than looks, but also livability.
Just like all interior designers aren’t right for all design projects, nor are all projects right for all designers. This is why it’s critical to determine whether your priorities are in alignment — before committing to work together.
“When we consult with a potential project, several factors help to determine if it will be a good fit for me and my team. The most important factor is whether or not it is a good personality fit. Projects go on for months and, in some cases, years, so you want to ensure that the partnership is respectful and enjoyable for both parties,” interior designer and blogger Paloma Contreras told Architectural Digest.
The best designer in the world is not a good fit for your project if he/she can’t work within your budget and/or work according to a schedule that suits your needs. Don’t forget to inquire about how designers charge and/or whether there’s a designer’s fee, which can be as variable as furniture prices.
Suggests Gray Malin Lifestyle, “This question should lie within your conversation about budget, but this one thing can often make or break a deal when you’re trying to decide on the right interior designer…Some designers may charge thousands of dollars per room on top of what you’re already paying for the design itself, while others might charge as little as a few hundred dollars.”
Certainly, asking the right questions can prevent unpleasant misunderstandings and awkward surprises. But it can also do something else: Help you identify an interior designer who will bring your decor dreams to life. Another invaluable resource for homeowners looking to redecorate a home or room? The complimentary Design Center at Stowers Furniture.
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