Deciding that you want to hire an interior designer to manage your home design project calls for a celebration. The choice is truly life-changing and, in many ways, can be a life-giving situation. If you have an amazing idea for your home design and are looking for a team of dedicated professionals to help you carry out this dream, you’ve made an excellent decision. While you are an important member of the team, once you’ve found a great designer you can trust to do the hard work, your job is now to focus on being a great interior design client.
How Can You Be a Great Interior Design Client?
Whether this is your first time hiring an interior designer, or you’re simply looking for a different interior design experience than you had in the past, attention to these seven steps can help you get the most out of your next home design project:
- Find the Right Interior Designer for You
First, be sure to take the time you need to research several designers. Taking time to browse a designer’s portfolio can indicate their style or whether any of their previous projects match up with the vision you have for your own design idea. For example, at CRT Studio, our online portfolio serves as an extensive showcase of our work.Once you narrow your search down to a few designers, schedule a consultation. The consultation is simply a meeting where you can ask questions and learn more about the designer’s process, business practices, and the best way to communicate with them during the project. Bring samples of your design project and any items that give insight regarding the inspiration for your project. - Set Clear Goals
Communication is key, but don’t forget that it works both ways. During the design process, don’t be afraid to make your opinions known. Some clients feel intimidated and are hesitant to let the designer know what they are thinking for fear that the designer won’t agree.However, a great designer is an objective designer. Establish your preferences during the initial consultation by coming to the meeting with a list of your goals. See how they respond to you and begin with open communication from the start. - Determine a Firm Budget
Unfortunately, the increased popularity of design TV shows has dealt professional designers a bit of a bad hand. These shows fail to expose all the behind-the-scenes labor that makes it possible to meet strict deadlines and keep design costs down. Instead, television shows simply display the price of the materials for the recipients, while the show’s budget covers the team of laborers.In the real world, you need to be prepared to budget for the cost of materials as well as all labor. If you have a strict timeline, the additional labor required to get a job done faster will cost you. Every job is a little different, so inquire about the costs and timeline upfront and come prepared with your ideal budget. - Open Yourself Up to New Ideas
As we mentioned in step 2, you should absolutely enter the design process with a clear set of goals and expectations. However, make sure you take time to listen to your designer’s insights about your project, as well. You risk missing a great design opportunity if you don’t open yourself up to new ideas.An experienced interior designer has likely completed thousands of jobs throughout their career. They’ve seen many unique ideas and have probably even taken some risks. Be open to their ideas and listen to their explanation regarding their suggestions and choices. You’ll still have the final say, but you’ll have considered multiple potential design ideas in addition to your own. - Exhibit Strong Decision-Making Skills
Simply put, a decisive client makes life easier for a designer. That being said, you don’t have to have all the answers from the beginning (see #4), but it’s helpful if you actively take part in the decision-making process or choose a point person in your absence. That way, the process can move along smoothly and stay on-schedule and on-budget.Every interior design project is different, but the one thing they all have in common is that there are many decisions to be made throughout. A good designer will help you narrow down all these choices because we know how overwhelming the process can be. Ultimately, however, most things will require you to flex those decision-making muscles. Be confident in your choices! - Be Honest regarding Your Needs, Preferences, and Use of Space
This step can be difficult for some clients, but it is very important that you give your designer much more information than the styles you love. In fact, a raw peek into your life can reveal useful information like habits and lifestyle choices that you consider natural but might not be obvious for your designer. Giving your designer insight into your typical day is a great way to get started.Part of this process involves knowing your home well and helping your designer understand how you live in your space. For example, if your dining room mostly serves the purpose of a craft room or homework area for your children, let the designer know so they can make the best use of the space. - Trust Your Designer
The best clients trust their designers. Remember, you’re not going into this blindly. You’ve done your research and had a thorough consultation with your potential designer. As a result, your designer knows your needs, your preferences, and your design goals.In return, you know your designer’s style, qualifications, and track record in the industry. These aspects, combined with the relationship you’ve built, mean you can trust your designer to take the lead on your interior design project. Best of all, the creativity your interior designer has developed over the years can help you take a few design risks that may excite you.As conscientious and expert designers at CRT Studio, we listen to you and understand your goals. Placing your trust in us means you allow us to do what we do best for you. We want this life-changing process to be something special and strive to make the end result something you can enjoy for years to come.If you are ready to hire an interior designer and are looking for a team you can trust, we’d be honored to meet with you for a consultation. Contact CRT Studio at (407) 440-4446 or email Rob Turner at rob@crtstudio.com for more information.
Resources:
https://kenmandesign.com/blog/f/how-to-prepare-for-your-best-interior-design-consultation