George K.
It can be difficult to choose a home designer for your project. From determining the budget and scope of the project to checking his or her professional experience, there are many important factors that need to be considered. There is no such thing as a perfect designer. However, there are a few guidelines that can help you find a good designer for your particular project.
Determine Your Unique Interior Design Style
The first step in hiring a designer is to understand what design styles speak to you. Interior design can mean different things to different people, but what is it for you? It’s as much a lifestyle choice as it is an aesthetic one. So sit down and really consider what you want your home to feel like. Do you want it to be feminine or masculine? Elegant or eclectic? Modern or vintage?
The choices go on and on. You’ll use your design style to decide the colors, textures, furniture, accessories, lighting—pretty much everything that will fill your space. The ‘right’ interior designer for your project will be someone that shares your style and aesthetic.
Do Your Research About Them
Contrary to popular belief, not all design professionals are created equal. There’s a range of creativity, talent, and background experience in the field of interior design. Before you hire a particular designer for your project, do your research on his or her company website first.
You can read about their design philosophy and see examples of their work on their website. Also, look through online reviews to find out what other clients have had to say about working with them in the past.
Ask for References
One of the major steps to choosing the right designer for your home is to ask for references. What type of home projects have the designers worked on? Can they provide you three references? For instance, If your property is in Brisbane, you should make inquiries among artisans such as a Brisbane-based builder, or other home construction vendors in the area about what you can expect from the designer.
Be sure to contact these references and ask if there are any problems they’ve had with the designer, as well as if other designers could improve upon their services. While it might be difficult to get designers on the phone (since many don’t work at a “desk job”), the effort you put into gauging their skills will help you find a great designer.
Set a Budget
It’s no secret. When it comes to hiring a designer for your home, the price tag can be intimidating. We often think about how much we should invest in our own college educations, not to mention countless other expenses like travel, food, and utilities.
While designers certainly command a hefty price tag, some are more reasonable than others. If you have a large project or are just starting out and trying to decide which design is right for you, budget ought to be one of your top priorities when making your choices.
Be Prepared to Ask Questions
Prior to your initial consultation with a designer, you should develop a list of questions that will be helpful in clarifying how each one can best serve you. Realize that every designer has his or her own approach to design, and none is right or wrong. Each designer has a style or design philosophy. The more you understand the approach of each designer, the better able you will be to find the right fit for you.
Meet Up With Your Designer and Make a Plan
Once you have an idea of the style and price range you want, meet with a designer that matches your needs. It’s usually best to schedule a meeting in person, as this will allow you to see their portfolio of past work and meet any other team members who will be working on your project.
The designer should discuss their design process with you before presenting you with different ideas. During this meeting, you should share any photos or sketches you have, the size of your space, your timeframe for the project, your budget, and any ideas you may already have regarding furniture, fabric, or decor.
Let the Designer Get to Work
Once the terms are agreed, ideas aligned, and budget fixed, let the designer get to work and transform your space to what was once only an imagination.
A good designer is one of the most important elements in creating a dream home. The right design can make your life easier, your family happier, and most importantly make you feel comfortable in your own house. Finding the right designer for your needs might seem like a daunting task at first, but it doesn’t have to be so hard if you just know a few things to consider before hiring that magic maker of all things beautiful.
