Tips for Hiring an Interior Designer
The precursor to any awards show is throngs of celebrities walking the red carpet while being interviewed by entertainment reporters. If you received a dollar for each time you heard a star get asked which designer they’re wearing, any of your immediate concerns over money would be alleviated. Celebrities understand their appearance impacts other’s perceptions of them and they work hand-in-hand with a team of stylists that help them reflect their own personality while paying homage to the latest trends. Without this assistance, they can miss the mark. When it comes to creating a home that combines your preferences and current styles, rendering the services of an interior designer can allow you to flawlessly execute this plan. Here are our top tips to making your relationship with an interior designer a match made in heaven.
Get in Touch with Your Wants: Prior to meeting with an interior designer, take some time to investigate current trends and your feelings towards them. Inspiration can come from anywhere, but an easy way to view and gather a high volume of images in a short amount of time is by reviewing websites such as Houzz & Pinterest. An interior designer can identify common themes within the images and suggest colors & décor that align with your preferences.
Audit Your Personal Collection: One way to design on a budget is to repurpose pieces you already own. Sometimes a lamp or a piece or art has lost its effect sitting in the same room for many years, but updating its placement can add interest to a different room. Other pieces may have run their course and can be sold or donated to make room for new ones.
Review Samples of Several Interior Designers’ Previous Work: Doing so allows you to analyze whether your tastes match. If their past projects are filled with jewel tones and modern art and you’re more into pastels and antiques, it’s in your best interests to find another professional whose style better aligns with yours. This will ensure a more harmonious relationship. Don’t wait too long in the process to involve an interior designer. They have lots of connections and can oftentimes obtain pricing and products that you yourself would not be able to get.
Understand Their Pricing Structure: Don’t leave this one up to chance. Have a candid discussion with your interior designer about their rates, as there are a variety of ways this industry can calculate pricing. Common rate structures include by the hour, square foot or project. Others add a percentage onto the cost of their materials. Be transparent about what your budget is. This allows them to not overspend due to lack of communication.
Honesty is the Best Policy: When you go out to dinner, the server often suggests a featured entrée, dessert or wine. They don’t take it personally if you politely decline and request information on something else on the menu. After all, you shouldn’t be forced to consume something you don’t love. The same goes with interior designers; they will throw out a plethora of options to give you choices. A true professional isn’t going to want to push you into something you’re going to regret.
