What Are Your Expectations? There are probably a plethora of articles about hiring an interior designer, what to look for, what to expect from them, and what to ask of them.
(Where to start? Your designer will know. – Master Bedroom design beginnings – Wanda S. Horton.)
Ask Yourself Some Questions Before Picking Up The Phone. Other than the obvious desire of wanting to live in a better designed home, having a need to freshen or fix-up a space, or the many different reasons you might need help with your interior spaces, there are also some important underlying questions to ask of yourself, in order to know if you’re going to make the right connection. (Hint, designing minds want to know these answers, too!)
Why do you think you want to hire an interior designer?
- Do you think they will free up your time to do other things?
- Do you think they will teach you how to design?
- Do you want to prevent errors and make wise investments?
- Do you believe they will bring a sense of status to your project?
- Do you think they will bring a better function, aesthetic, and quality of life to your home?
What value do you see a designer bringing to your project?
What do you think your investment will be in terms of design services and what your design service needs might be?
Other great questions:
- What will your involvement be in the design process? A lot? A little? Somewhere in between?
- Do you like watching design television, read a lot of magazines, or read design blogs? What are your favorites and why?
- Do you enjoy collaborating as part of a team?
- Do you understand what the creative process is and do you have the patience to allow for it to unfold?
- Are you ready to commit to completing a project or do you expect for it to be done in stages?
- How long do you think it might take to complete your project and how did you determine that timeline? (Read about it? Have an important event coming up?)
- What’s most important and in what order? - Function? Look? Quality? Sustainability? Price?
- What service do you most value and in what order? - Creativity? Function? Knowledge? Time Management? Project Management? Money management? Communication?
(Each element and layer brings forth the satisfaction of completion. Taking away one part is like taking away brush strokes in a piece of art. You’ll never see the total picture. – Master Bedroom design completion, Wanda S. Horton.)
After practicing interior design, for almost 30 years, I’ve seen a shift in the perception and appreciation for the skill sets and experience needed to do what I do best. (This could be a totally separate blogpost.) Let’s suffice it to say, I spend extra hours educating and reassuring a more apprehensive public about the benefits of bringing a designer on board. A lot of questions are asked and I usually don’t mind answering them, as long as we’re making a forward motion. I honor that it’s a mutual investment of time and it should be made wisely.
In my experience, I see how projects can become “stuck” when the creative flow becomes interrupted with too much afterthought. I’ll admit, I’m more comfortable with a goal-oriented client, who is ready to get things done and in a logical manner of succession. I believe the best time to ask the important questions is in the beginning of the process. The outcome is much happier for all!
. . . And usually, a happy designer is at their personal best!
Have a question? Please do share it! ~ Wanda
