Designers are a great resource to have available to you as you begin planning out how to decorate your home. They can help with tasks as small as choosing a color scheme or planning floral arrangement, or can help you tackle a floor-to-ceiling decorating project. Whichever way you decide to go, these tips can help make working with a designer a great experience for you both.
Do Your Research
It is important to take the time to do your research before you ever hire your designer. A designer’s aesthetic doesn’t have to match yours exactly, but you should be able to look at their portfolio to gain an understanding of what they are capable of. Consider, broadly, what designs you have in mind while looking at their past work, and really think if you can have faith in this person to pull it off.
This stage also includes taking the time to look up reviews from people who have worked with this designer before. Take into consideration reviews from numerous sources, keeping in mind that while one or two disgruntled customers does not mean you should write the designer off entirely, a trend of displeased patrons should make you think twice.
Communicate
One of the most essential portions of working with a designer is communicating with them. You must be able to properly communicate your preferences, dislikes, and ideas, and they must be receptive to those things. You shouldn’t be waiting days on end for your designer should reply; they may not reply immediately, but you also shouldn’t be waiting too long. A designer that does not value communication is one that does not value your opinion, which does not bode well for your collaboration on your home.
One way to assess how well you and your designer will be able to communicate is by doing an initial interview. Many designers will allow a complimentary interview, though some may charge a consultation fee. This interview allows you to get to know each other, to see how well you will be able to work together.
Be Prepared
A designer is bringing their expertise, experience, and artistic flair to the table — you need to be prepared to meet them there with the tools you can provide to make them successful. This means bringing with you any magazine clippings, Pinterest boards, or other inspirations you might have saved that are similar to what you might want in your home. You should also be prepared to discuss how you live and organize things in your home, and how you might hope for that to be improved upon in the future design.