How to Pick a Great Interior Designer

Everyone has their sure-fire criteria and list of tips for picking a great interior designer, it’s just that no one can agree on what they are. As a Chicago interior designer, this is what our years of experience have taught us.

1. Personality first

Find a person you like, feel comfortable with and trust.

We’re all different and so are designers. If you’re very business-like and detail-oriented, look for an interior designer that is as well. You’ll instinctively understand each other and be happier in the end. Look for person you’d like to spend time with because even for short projects, enjoying your time with the designer will likely get the juices flowing and get you a better result. This is more important for large projects like designing your house.

Whatever you do, don’t hire a designer who makes you feel uncomfortable. Interior designers that make you feel inept are to be avoided. No one knows more about what you want than you do. Interior design is a creative journey and a great interior designer will be a partner, build the design around your wants and needs and encourage you to share your opinions including letting them know when they’re on the wrong track.

2. Look at their portfolio

If a designer has been working for a while, they should have an extensive portfolio. It’s important that their work appeals to you. Most designers can work in a number of different styles. Something in their portfolio should be in the direction of what you are after but don’t be put if off if most of their portfolio is weighted in a different direction. (This happens because clients assume designers are limited based on their portfolio and portfolios become more and more weighted in a particular direction.) Assume that if you see quality and precision in their work and something in their portfolio that speaks to your style, that they will apply those skills to your aesthetic preferences. With any luck, you’ll end up in their portfolio shortly.

3. How do they work

Interior designers fall into two broad categories, those who are going to be your guide walking shoulder to shoulder with you and those who will be ten feet ahead and expect you to follow. If you want your residence tailored to you and to reflect your wishes, than the former is likely to listen, point things out for your consideration and take detours as you ask. But you have to have time to work through the interior designer process. On the other hand, if you’re a highly paid professional who’s on the road and never around to help, you might want to hire the latter to create a drop dead gorgeous interior designed place mostly using their own vision as they think it makes sense for you.

When interviewing the interior designer make sure to ask them how they work. Ask them what their process is and listen for whether it makes sense or seems well organized. Be certain to express how you’d like to work. If you want to shop and just want the designer to confirm your choices, let them know and see how they react. Your intuition will guide you well. The right designer will leave you with a good feeling.

4. Communication

Every endeavor succeeds better with good communication. Pay attention to how well you feel you are being heard from the first phone call or meeting. A good communicator will get what you are saying and be able to reiterate it. If they write it down, even better. It means they’re listening, valuing your input and time, and organizing your project as they go.

If they don’t recall what you talked about next time you meet, watch out. The process of interior design is extremely detailed and someone who can’t hang onto your wishes is going to make mistakes. If you see this happening be sure to ask about it and listen. They may have had a good reason for not talking about it. But if they didn’t, take it into serious consideration.

5. Budget

Designers work in all different ranges. Start out on the first communication by asking the size of budgets they like to work with and be prepared to share your budget with the designer as it will help both of you sort out if you’re a fit. Some designers won’t work with small budgets while others rarely work with large budgets. So a proper fit is essential and easily determined. There’s no value in a designer putting together a 35K living room design when you only have 10K to spend, nor a 10K living room design when you have 35K to spend.

6. Search and verify

Your Aunt Helen or your yoga instructor might have some great leads on an interior designer, but checking on their customer reviews will be worth the time. Reviews however are not a hundred percent, so if you’re project is large, don’t hesitate to ask for references. A five minute conversation can reveal more than anything written on line.

The professional organization ASID can provide names of interior designers. They will be qualified and knowledgeable but they might not make their clients happy. Keep in mind many great designers have little education or formal training. Still knowing their training and qualifications is worth checking out.

Searching on line directly often leads to a good result. A highly reviewed designer on Houzz.com, Yelp.com or Angie’s list will likely be interested in making their customers happy. Their company strategy depends on it. Keep in mind you can be fooled and high ranked designers can disappoint.

Before embarking on a significant project, ask for references for a project similar to your own. Any recommendation should be checked out. References can also be misleading but also can be revealing.

7. Ask about work product and computer capabilities

3D renderings are a powerful tool to understand how your design will look when implemented. For some projects an idea board with suggestions of colors, furnishings and other products will be sufficient. So depending on your project, make sure your designer has command of the necessary technology. Ask to see their drawings or work product for a similar project and see if it makes sense. You might even ask them the approximate cost of their project.

8. Pricing

Pricing is important to discuss so your expectations are set properly. What you really want to know is the cost of the entire project approximately, rather than their hourly cost. Some designers due to their use of technology are twice as fast as others. Don’t expect an exact price as knowing how much work your project will take is uncertain. The work can go very smoothly or it can take two or three times as long for numerous reasons. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to mull over designs until their perfect because changing designs on paper is inexpensive compared to changing them once the tile is installed. Design is also the least expensive part of your project and the most important part. Good design with inexpensive materials will make your place look better than less considered interior design with expensive materials. A well designed space will stay fresh for far longer as well. So in the end, the cost of the designer is less important than getting a great design and it’s a mistake to pick a designer according to the cost unless it’s drastically different.

In conclusion…

Finally, be truthful with your interior designer when you’re asked questions and don’t be afraid to gently challenge them. You’ll learn a lot about them than if you avoid challenging questions. You’re going to have a relationship with the designer you choose, so it’s best to start out honestly and pick someone you’re confident that you can continue to be honest with as you undertake a journey together.

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