How to Select an Interior Designer


Selecting an interior designer is the most important decision that you can make before investing a lot in a home decorating project. Assuming you can afford the services of an interior designer, you have many choices of designers available. How do you go about selecting an interior designer? If you have the time to go through an interview process, this is the best way.

Get three different recommendations for good interior designers that belong to the American Society of Interior Designers. Then ask each one of the three designers if they would do a free consultation with you about the space you are working with. Take good notes during the consultation, not only about their design ideas, but also other factors including cost, how they relate to you, and whether you think their sense of style is compatible with yours.

Once you have had a consultation with each interior designer, carefully go over your notes. Also, if they have any online portfolios of their previous work, spend some time looking at those. Which designer is the best fit for your room? Don't assume that a designer with a distinctly modern edge to their work will be able to change their stripes for your ultra-traditional project unless they have done it before and you like the results.

If you are looking for an interior designer and have a very limited budget, consider possibly hiring an interior design student to work with you on your home. They would appreciate the work experience and probably also expect to be paid less money than an established interior designer.

Kevin Lynch is a successful author and regular contributor providing advice and tips on home decor at e Home Decorating, his site and articles are dedicated to helping you with your home decorating needs and wants.

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