Working with an Interior Designer

  how designers help | preparing for your meeting | choosing a designer | more tips
 

More tips for working with an interior designer.

Your ongoing input is welcomed by designers to create living spaces that will meet your aesthetic, functional, and budgetary goals. These additional points to keep in mind will also see you through the design, construction, and decorating process to make it a positive experience.

Keep researching on your own.
Don't stop at the introductory meeting. It's helpful for you to expose yourself to as many products as you can, so that you don't miss any opportunities. Exploring online, as well as through retailers, will keep you abreast of the current trends.

Build trust.
If your relationship with your interior designer isn't working out, then it's important to try to resolve it as early into the project as possible, and if you can't resolve it, to move on to someone you feel more comfortable with. You know you've made a good choice when you trust that your designer is looking out for your best interests. Also, be aware that final decisions and sign-offs on every aspect of your project are yours to make.

"A strong collaborative relationship with our clients culminates in surroundings that are elegant, distinctive, personal, and functional."

- Charlotte Moss,
HomePortfolio.com featured designer

Communicate clearly.
Articulating ideas and establishing a plan are key to the success of a design project. Your plan should be specific enough to include wallcovering samples, product samples and specs, timelines, contractors involved, sketches and room renderings, floor plans and elevations, and photos. If you have any questions at all about the process or products used, expressing your concerns sooner rather than later can help you avoid unexpected costs and changes.

Be focused.
If taking on your whole house as one project seems overwhelming, opt to do a room at a time until you feel comfortable with the process and the interior designer you're working with. Prioritize your projects by focusing on the spaces that are most important to you. It's helpful to know your priorities at your introductory meeting too.

Stay flexible.
Product availability, contractor scheduling, and custom work are just a few aspects that can cause unavoidable delays in your project. Being aware of these possibilities going in to the process and selecting a creative and knowledgeable interior designer to guide you through the process will help keep the anxiety to a minimum when you finally give the go-ahead for your home design project.


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Working with a Designer
   • how designers help
   • preparing for your meeting
   • choosing a designer
   • more tips

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