When To Hire an Interior Designer: Questions to ask Yourself

After the last two years, we’ve become all too familiar with the inside of our homes, and interior designers have never been busier than ever. We ALL want some new scenery! And if you’re anything like us, we know you’ve spent some serious Pinterest hours picking out looks, inspirations, and finding that perfect end table.

Maybe you’re struggling to put it all together yourself though, or you’re realizing that a home decor makeover isn’t as quick as those TV shows make it seem. We’ve talked to many clients who, though they may have had a wonderful vision, weren’t quite ready for the time commitment a successful project takes. And that’s perfectly ok! We want to make sure we’re working with you during a time where this project will be able to go as smoothly as possible.

So, in order to get not only the home makeover you’ve been looking for, but also the experience you want as well, we suggest asking yourself a few questions before we get started. Designing a home is a partnership between designer and homeowner, so we want to make sure that we all start on the same page. Trust us, when it comes to a home makeover, hiring an interior designer is worth it.

Do I have a Clear Vision?

Our clients typically fall into one of three categories. Those who have a clear vision and know exactly what they’re looking for down to the Pantone number of the paint; and others don’t know how to put together their mixed ideas from a home they loved online or a neat cabinet gadget in a friend's kitchen or perhaps even several completely different spaces they enjoyed here and there; or perhaps they’re the third type who doesn’t really know what they like or how to describe it.

The truth is it doesn’t matter which of these homeowners you are! Wherever you land on that spectrum, we’re here to help you create the perfect look in your newly renovated home. Some of our favorite projects start without much more than a few images and an idea. Being able to create the perfect space is an art—it evolves. We design with your input and we love the process! Every home, space, and client is unique, and that’s why when you’re hiring an interior designer, it’s important to find one that doesn’t just build you a space because it’s the current trend, but they build you a space meant for you.

What will my finances allow for?

First, don’t think of your budget as a limitation! We’re here to tell you what you can do with your budget, not what you can’t. Remember, remodeling your home is an investment. We know when to splurge so you don’t regret cutting corners and when to save and get “the look for less.” If needed, we can great your project into phases to work within your budget. We can start with your main rooms and move outwards, or perhaps we find a way to gradually improve the entire home over time, instead of all at once.

No matter what the size of your budget, hiring an interior designer will make sure that you’re utilizing your money in the most effective way possible. We have strategies and services suited for a range of budget levels.

What kind of time do I have?

This is the biggest reason we see people abandoning what could have been a great home improvement project: they just don’t think they have the time. And to be fair, home improvement TV shows and magazines have given a LOT of us wrong impressions when it comes to how much time it takes to complete a home renovation project, even with the help of an experienced interior designer. So, it’s important to get a feel for the scope of the project and the time allotted before we begin! This allows us to think strategically about where we want to start renovating, and how much time we have to work within.

How involved do I want to be?

A renovation is a big project, and it can be a little stressful. It can be VERY stressful if you don't hire the right interior designer. We’re here to give you a beautiful home, but we want you to have a great experience while we do it. Everyone has a different management style, and we want to make sure that we fit our strategy around what works for you. Maybe you like a hands-off approach, and you’re more of a big picture person. Perfect! We’ll do our thing, delegate to our interior design team, and meet with you for budgets and design approvals. Or, perhaps you want to be more involved in the day to day operations. That's great too! More input from you is never a bad thing, and it helps us refine even the smallest detail to give you the dream home you’ve been working for.

When am I ready to hire an interior designer?

You tell us! Take some time to think about these questions and check out our blog post How Do You Know When You’re Ready to Hire an Interior Designer? When you’re ready to transform your home give us a call! Hiring an interior designer is a very personal process, and we want to make sure we have the perfect scope of work for the project; These questions help us determine that and tailor our process accordingly. We’re here to deliver a successful project, and we think success isn’t only measured by the end result, but by the experience we give every client along the way.

Don’t think you’re ready to hire an interior designer?

No problem. We can start your project when you are ready. When starting anything new a little bit of doubt or anxiety is normal, but schedule a free discovery call to chat about your ideas or any hang-ups. We can help clarify the process and what your project will take, and answer any questions you have. Keep in mind good design takes time so it’s better to get started a little earlier than you think. We hope we can help give you some valuable information that helps you on your path to your new living space!