Interior Designer: Tips on How to Choose One

Picking an Interior Designer is a little like picking a best friend. You need to find someone you mesh well with, someone who listens to you, and someone who isn't afraid to give you their honest opinion. The connection you make with your designer is very personal, and you must let them in on things about yourself that most people don't know. Depending on which space they are designing they may need to know things like your bathroom habits (does your husband like to read in the toilet room?), how you like to cook in your kitchen (where do you like to cut veggies, at the sink or on the island?), even some of your more personal preferences like shared or separate master bedrooms.

Your first stop to finding a designer should be by calling a professional membership association like ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) or NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association). They can help direct you a few designers who specialize in what you are looking to achieve. Is it lighting design? How about a kitchen design? Maybe it is a whole home project that encompasses many different spaces. If you are going to hire a designer, having a professional association direct you is a great shortcut to finding the right designer for you. Another good way to find a designer is to ask around! See if anyone you know has used an Interior Designer lately, then ask to see the persons home. If they are proud of the designers work, they usually like to show their gorgeous home off. If you like the work, get the designers information.

Once you have a list of names and references, call the designers and arrange for an interview with them. You should have 2-3 different people lined up, this is the time to get a feel for the designer's personality, and see if it goes well with yours (as well as with anyone else who is a decision maker in the design). Some designers come to your home, others will have you meet them at their office. You will find that it is better to meet the designer at their office if you want to look at their portfolio and get some ideas on where to start your project. This is because most designers keep samples of flooring, fabrics, furniture idea books, etc. It is too difficult for us to tote all of these books around, so visiting at the office can be very productive and enlightening.

Ask each designer about their fees, and how they are usually paid. Not every designer charges the same way, and this may affect your decision on who to choose. There are usually three ways designers charge:

• Strictly By the Hour- Designers who charge this way usually charge more per hour since this is how they make their living. The good news is that they will normally pass on the discounts they get for merchandise on to you. Sometimes these designers will have you pay a design retainer, which has a certain number of hours for you to use. (Example: A designer that charges $100 per hour might have a retainer of 10 hours (totaling $1,000). You purchase the retainer and use the time until it is gone. After that you may pay by the individual hour, or purchase another retainer.)
• Cost Plus- If a designer says that they charge cost plus, it means that they normally charge you a flat fee up front. Then when they begin to purchase things for you, they charge you the cost of the item, plus a percentage. (Example: A designer who uses a 20% mark-up would purchase a $1,000 item for you, and add $200. The designer then bills you $1,200.)
• Combination- Some designers will use a combination of the above to create their fees. They usually charge less per hour, and have a lower mark up than the others. (Example: A designer who goes by this method may charge $50 dollars per hour, but still put a 10% mark-up on the items they purchase for you.)

All of the above fees are examples of costs, but not out of the ordinary. Do however keep in mind that the more popular and experienced the designer, the more you are going to pay. However, they are normally well worth their cost.

Other things to keep in mind are budget and timeline. Make sure you understand the designer's fees and keep up with what you want to spend. The easiest way to do this is to go ahead and tell the designer you work with what kind of budget you have. This way they won't spend too much time without telling you and won't show you anything out of your price range, leaving you and the designer frustrated. As far as timeline, do be realistic. Don't call a designer on October 31st, and say you want to be done before Thanksgiving. It just can't happen unless all you are wanting is to add a few holiday accessories and advise on a table set-up and center piece for your dinner or party. Depending on the scope of work, a reasonable time for a room or two is 2-3 months if you are making all new selections, re-painting, and maybe adding a new floor.

For a whole home project it can take a year or more. Also remember that the speed of the project is determined by how quickly the client can make decisions. If you are very picky or particularly slow to make big decisions, it will take longer! Get with your designer during the planning stages of your home or at the beginning of a remodel. This way things can get started ahead of time, and most designers just need finished dimensions of a space to get started. This can cut your time down a great deal.

Remember to find a designer you are comfortable with, this will lead to trust, and a good future relationship. Placing trust in your designer by letting them know a budget, and timeline will help them help you. When this happens, the result is often a space more beautiful than you could have imagined. A designer's reputation is built on your happiness with their work. Together, client and designer help to create a wonderful space in which to live, love, and laugh- a place we like to call home.