What to Know About Working With an Interior Designer

A design as a product of working with an interior designer.

When you want the absolute best in interior design, you should consider hiring an interior designer. But, if you don't have any experience with them, you may be uncertain about what to expect. Working with an interior designer could be a challenge for both parties if you come unprepared or communication and expectation are not set. So, here are some things you should know before hiring a professional in this field.

Price is not always an indicator of quality

If you're a newbie in cooperating with interior design specialists, you may rush to hire the most famous designer there is. But, the creme de la creme of designer society isn't always the best fit for every person. For the most part, quality lies in a designer's creativity and ability to compose different materials and styles into harmonious unity. You never know you might stumble across the next Eileen Gray for a pretty affordable price.

A team of interior designers working with enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is sometimes the key ingredient of a good job.

Billing is not a one-size-fits-all

Designers know the value of the services they offer. Sometimes there are more perks than meet the eye, it's important to fully understand what each designer offers with their services and packages before determining that whether or not you can see value in the services.  Designers help you make key decisions that will save you money in the long term.

Your first meeting is an interview

Like any relationship fit is important and you need to do your research to ensure  you find the right designer. f you ask the right questions and ensure communication styles are a good fit, your engagement will be a good fit. We're all different people, and we see things differently that is why communication is key and so important to us, as designers. 

Don't be afraid to ask questions

We highly recommend preparing a list of questions to ask prospective designers before you meet with them. Because every interior designer operates uniquely. If you're not sure about mixing design genres - ask! Make a list of your requirements and communicate those to your designer. Be sure you understand the terms, fees, and costs  before beginning the process. This will assist you in getting off to a good start.

If you go by the list, you won’t skip anything important.

Be comfortable sharing your ideas and be prepared

Communicate your thoughts, vision, and objectives to your designer. You can be creative to provide insight into your vision. Gather:

  • photographs
  • descriptions
  • pinterest boards
  • a list of must-haves, as well as your preferences and dislikes,

Although it is acceptable to be unsure about your preferences, you can take measures to gain a better understanding of your preferences and how to express them. One excellent method is to go over photographs on Houzz. Save your favorites in a Houzz idea book and send them to your designer so that you can express your visual ideas to them effectively.

Spend some time preparing your home. Even consider clearing out the clutter in your home. Check out some ideas to clear space for your discussions with your designer. 

Know what you want

Know what you are not willing to compromise and what you are comfortable with flexing on, if you don't set boundaries, there's a chance you'll end up with the result you hate! If you're unclear with your vision, the project could be subjected to adjustments and delays. So be forthright! Sharing as much information as possible from the beginning will save you time and money and set the stage for a long and fruitful partnership in the future.

Keep your expectations in check

We all enjoy watching home design shows. However, most designers will tell you that their widespread popularity has done them a disservice in terms of professional development. The designers on those shows can pull off projects with tight timelines and low budgets. That would never be possible in the real world. On television, there is frequently a crew of laborers working behind the scenes to accomplish the work in record time. They are often responsible for the most beautiful designs. Their salaries are also built into the budget for the show. So, design recipients simply have to pay for the cost of materials when they receive their designs.

Working with an interior designer in real life is nothing like what you see on TV.

There are so many benefits to working with designers, be sure to do your research and you will not regret it. 

 At Liberty Interior we pride ourselves on all these factors. If you'd like to see for yourself and are interested in re-inventing your home, you can book a consultation with us here.