5 Things To Consider In Choosing Your Interior Designer!

This post is provided by Lora Young.

A home is not a home when it does not feel like one. The overall feel of your house must not only scream your individuality but must also be welcoming enough for all the people would be visiting it.

As homeowners, we have the tendency to get a little too enthusiastic about certain parts of our homes and sometimes too negligent about the other parts. This creates an imbalance in our homes which may become a problem or an eyesore in the long run. 

To achieve equilibrium in all parts of our homes (and our lives as well), we can always have measures to resolve the imbalances. For our homes, interior designers can help us achieve that balance. But in looking for one, we need to consider certain things. Read on to know more about these essential considerations we first ought to make.

1. Style

First of all, you need to evaluate yourself. “What is my style? Am I more of a minimalist or am I more attracted to extravagance?” After ascertaining the answer to those questions, you have done most of the considering part. In choosing an interior designer, it is important to be sure that not only is your designer’s style a superb one but also if it is compatible with yours. 

There is nothing like going home to a place where everything is where you want it to be. In other words, you must be comfortable with how your house looks and with how things are arranged. By ensuring that you and your designer are on the same page, you will feel more secure that the end result will be what your dream home will look like.

2. Previous Work

It is best to ask for your potential interior designer’s portfolio. Do they complement your taste? If the answer is yes, then it is a big checkmark on the list. You may consider visiting model homes that they have designed or ask for pictures of previously designed homes or offices. Not only that, you must also consider previous client reviews. If you can get a hand on them, through the interior designer’s site, a mutual friend who has tried their services or in any other manner, it would be helpful to evaluate how good the interior designer is.

3.  Cost

Make sure that your budget matches your expectations and the standards of your interior designer. Be upfront about how much you are willing to spend. Many times, misunderstandings occur between clients and designers because of money matters. To avoid this, be honest about your financial status. Designers can only work around the budget that their clients are willing to give them. 

For example, you would like to renovate your kitchen. Do tell your designer what you already have in the kitchen and what appliances you are ready to buy for their proposed renovations. This way, you may be assured of a smooth deal with them. If you are looking for an interior designer who specializes in kitchen renovations, kitchen remodel Chevy Chase MD is the best designer to start with. 

4. Availability

More likely than not, you will not be the only client that the interior designer will be working for. If you want your design or renovation to be finished as soon as possible, some interior designers offer expeditious services but there may be additional costs to pay for the faster service. But if you are neither inclined to wait for a longer time nor willing to spend more, you may opt to hire an interior designer who is not as in-demand but is just as good.

5. Membership In The American Society Of Interior Design

The American Society of Interior Design says that “through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, [they] strive to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives.” If the city or state you live in happens to have a chapter of ASID, you can check their recommended list of interior designer members.