How to Work with an Interior Designer

Everyone would like to live in his or her dream home. An interior designer can help you turn your dreams into reality.

Many have purchased a couch only to discover upon delivery that there is no way it will fit through the only entrance to the living room. Or that the fabric selected in a showroom or store clashes with the wall or floor coverings. These and other more costly design mistakes and miscalculations can be prevented by tapping the guidance and expertise of an experienced design professional.

Design professionals have the training necessary to bring your vision to life and the resources that allow you to actually get more for your money. The following information will tell you about the why, how, what and when of working with a design professional.

Why Work with a Design Professional?

To develop an overall design theme and plan.
To prevent costly mistakes.
To tap proven resources: expert painters and upholsterers are but a few of the resources a designer can provide without your having to find them through trial and error.
To get the best value for your money: design professionals know what's in the market and where to find just what you're looking for.

How to Work with a Design Professional (Or, What You Should Know Before Calling)

Know what you want to accomplish, what the room or house should do for you when finished. Should it be formal or casual? Know your objectives and your lifestyle needs.
Know your budget, at least approximately. After you've hired a designer and received an estimate, you can firm up the numbers.
Know what colors, attitudes, and effects you like. Be sure to share that information with the designer. Start by going through magazines and clipping photos of items and rooms that appeal to you, including:

Furniture pieces (and how they are arranged)
Fabrics
Floors
Windows (hardware and treatments)
Doors
Lighting fixtures
Styles of houses (Cape Cod, Colonial, Victorian, Asian, Contemporary, etc.)
Interesting ways to hang pictures display candlesticks, etc.

Couples should collect photos separately and present both their collections to the designer.
Know the time frame in which you'd like the work accomplished. Do you have a specific deadline that needs to be met? Share it with the designer.
Know what annoys and inconveniences you about the room or home as it is now. Keep a list and share it with the designer.

What to Ask at Your First Meeting

Ask to see the designer's portfolio, but remember that the pictures in it reflect other people's tastes - not the designer's and probably not your own.
Ask about the types of services the designer can provide. Typically these range from consultation only to developing and implementing an overall design plan.
Ask what kind of communication you can expect from the design. Then ask yourself: is this communication style compatible with yours?
Ask about the designer's availability for your project. If it's something that needs to be done quickly, be sure the designer has the time to devote to it.

When to Use a Design Professional

When you want a wonderful space filled with beautiful things without having to spend all your time shopping and wondering if you really like what you're selecting.
When you like a variety of styles but are not sure how to group them together.
When your current furniture arrangement requires an infusion of inspiration.
When you'd like to use the collectibles you own and love in a completely different way.
When you're buying, renovating or building a new house…when your lifestyle needs change….when you feel you need just a little guidance or full project coordination.

Some Final Words About Budget and Quality

Be honest with yourself and the designer about what you want to spend. Telling the designer you are willing to invest less money that you really are, will only send her off to work in the wrong quality category. When that happens, you will not get the best job possible and ultimately, you will not meet your own expectations.
When it comes to working with a smaller budget, if you don't like the quality that budget allows you, you may need to either increase what you're willing to spend or revise the scope of the job.