When you’re thinking about making a big change to your home space, it’s the attention to detail that counts. A lot of us have a few fairly abstract ideas floating around about what we want our home interiors to look like, and it’s a wonderful feeling when you’re finally in a position to make those changes. Whether it’s a new home or just revamping your current space, the beauty always lies in the small, banal-seeming touches.
Working with an interior designer is often the best way to realize your vision. Seasoned professionals with an eye for detail and an ability to translate your thoughts into a beautiful aesthetic are there to help you – the challenge is finding the right one for you.
Here are five tips to help you make that choice.
1) Keep it Local
Working with a local professional is a good idea for a number of reasons. Someone based nearby is likely to be more familiar with the design of homes in your area. This goes for everything from local common building structures to using materials that work best in your local climate. For example, if you live in New Jersey, a good local interior designer will be sensitive to the local aesthetic and will work with you to build a home that fits in as much as it stands out.
An interior designer based nearby also has strong incentive to really care about making you happy, as your recommendation will go a long way for them. They can actually step inside the home and get a feel for the space.
2) Communication is Key
The best interior designers understand the importance of listening as much as suggesting. A successful interior designer gives a client exactly what they wanted, only better. Your vision for your home is the most important thing, and good designers will listen to everything you say and build on that.
You’re hiring a professional because of their expertise, of course. Your designer will point out difficulties if they occur, and make suggestions to work around the problem.
Pick an interior designer who is inspiring but isn’t pushy, who understands your vision and is honest with you every step of the way.
3) Pedigree
With any artistic project such as interior design, a good portfolio speaks just as clearly as time in the business. Have a good look over any prospective designer’s work, and ask to talk through the process with them if possible. This will help you get a better idea of how they work, as well as what they can achieve.
4) Find a Good Match
Some designers specialize in certain themes, while others make almost everything their specialization. If you’ve got a very certain theme in mind for your home, it’s worth shopping around to find someone who works with a mostly similar aesthetic. This will just make the process faster and dialogue much easier.
Likewise, if you’re looking for a more general approach, take a good look at a designer’s portfolio and find out if their work is often very different from what you’re after. Everyone wants to do what they’re best at, so find the best person to bring your visions to life.
5) Honesty is the Best Policy
As with any major home project, redesigning an interior is a costly enterprise. When you’re putting a lot of money on the line, you need to be counting every penny, and that means working with someone who is transparent about costs from the word go.
Make sure that your interior designer has a track record of delivering good value for money and being open with clients. Any designer worth their salt will be open with you about potential costs from the get-go, and will try to save you from unnecessary expenses where possible.
Conclusion
Knowing what you’re looking for is the first step. Next comes the research. Find a great interior designer close to you and start planning your dream home interior!
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