Choosing the Right Interior Designer
If you are ready to give one room or an entire house a facelift, hiring an Interior Designer or Decorator can be useful. These professionals can help match your personality and lifestyle with colors and fabrics that compliment you. Hiring the right person can make all the difference in the success of your new project.
Before you start looking for an Interior Designer or Decorator, evaluate the room yourself. The more organized you are before your hire your designer, the more likely that person will be better able to assist you in decorating your home.
Interior design ideas
Get a notebook with interior pockets and start making notes on how you might like to live in this space...is it an everyday room or will it be showcased for special dinner parties? Look through some of your favorite decorating magazines and cut out photos of rooms or specific pieces that suit your taste. Don't be afraid to include photos that seem to contrast each other. The likelihood is that an Interior Designer will be able to see your scope of interests and bring the best ideas together.
Create a design budget
Next, create a realistic budget and write the amount down in your notebook. This will help you better communicate with your Interior Designer or Decorator so that spending limits can be defined up front and you can avoid stressful situations later.
Once you have completed your pre-work, it is time to choose an Interior Designer or Decorator. An Interior Designer is usually specially trained and even licensed in Interior Design. Often, they have a background in architectural drawing and hold a wide expertise in building and contract lingo. An Interior Decorator may or may not be professionally trained, but they have a flair for home décor. In either case, choose a person who is highly experienced, a strong listener and able to build a solid rapport with you.
How to find the right interior decorator for you
There are many ways to get Interior Designer and Decorator prospects in your area.
- Ask family, friends, neighbors and work associates for a reference.
- Search the Internet.
- Browse listings in the phone book.
- Call your local Chamber of Commerce.
- Visit area showcase and model homes.
- Note Interior Designer and Decorator's names listed in decorating magazines.
Consult an organization like ARIDO - Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario at www.arido.on.ca or ASID - the American Society of Interior Designers at www.interiors.org for an Interior Designer reference in your area.
Interior design checklist
After you have a list of referrals, begin the phone interview process. You will want to prepare a list of questions typed out and printed in advance of the call. At the top of each interview sheet, list the name of the Interior Designer, phone number and contact person. Questions may include information on their Interior Design experience, if they have time in their schedule to meet your deadline, if the Interior Designer's subcontractors are insured, how they charge for products and services and if they feel they can meet your budget. Also, be sure to discuss the project and see if they express a genuine interest in it.
Once you have made your short list, meet with the Interior Designer or Decorators in the room you wish to decorate. Ask the Interior Designer or Decorator to bring a portfolio of their work to the meeting. They should be able to produce examples of low and high-end rooms with a wide array of styles to show their versatility. Be prepared to share your notebook of magazine clippings and notes you have made so he or she might be able to get a feel for your taste.
As you are meeting with each designer or decorator, there are important details to note. If he or she arrived on time can indicate future adherences to the deadlines you have set. During your discussions, observe if you feel he or she is listening to you and there is an even exchange of information. Ask yourself if you feel a chemistry with the Interior Designer or Decorator.
Once you have made the decision to hire an Interior Designer or Decorator, be sure to put your agreement in writing. This document should include an explanation of the steps he or she intends to make, deadlines and all costs including the design fees. This step can save a lot of future disappointments and extra costs.
The most important aspect of choosing an Interior Designer or Decorator is that you feel comfortable with that person as he or she will be spending a lot of time in your home. Using your knowledge from these steps should help make that process a bit easier.
