Finding the right interior designer for your home can sometimes feel like dating. You want to find someone who not only understands your vision for a high-end space but can also communicate effectively and earn your trust. So how do you find the perfect match for your custom home? While there isn’t a match.com for luxury interior designers, we’ve answered some of your most common questions to help you find the right fit. So set your location, whether that be Chicagoland, North Shore, or the Greater Barrington area and let’s begin!
Why Should I Hire An Interior Designer?
Designing a sophisticated home, whether it’s a full remodel or new construction, involves a myriad of decisions. Hiring an experienced designer adds value to your project, making the process smoother and more enjoyable. Their expertise will guide you through everything, ensuring that the final result matches your vision, with a level of craftsmanship and precision that’s hard to achieve on your own.
From space planning to selecting the finest materials, fixtures, and finishes, designers have an eye for creating distinctive spaces. They bring creative and technical solutions to elevate every part of your home, ensuring the result is unique and tailored to your taste.
How Do I Find The Right Interior Designer?
A simple search for “interior designers near me” will reveal many options. We recommend also looking through premium shelter magazines or platforms like Houzz or the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) directory. Personal recommendations from friends or family who have worked with a high-end designer are also invaluable.
PRO TIP: Collect inspiration by saving images of luxury spaces and bespoke designs that resonate with you. Sharing these with your designer helps them align their work with your expectations.
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, explore designers’ portfolios and past projects. These provide a sense of their aesthetic, process, and the high-end projects they’ve worked on. When you’re ready, schedule an inquiry call to discuss your vision and see if there’s a mutual fit. The consultation is the next step, offering you the chance to discuss the custom solutions the designer can bring to your home.
Did you find your match yet? Swipe right for yes, swipe left to keep searching.
How Much Will It Cost To Hire An Interior Designer?
The financial aspect of a remodel or build can be daunting, but a skilled designer ensures your investment is protected. By avoiding costly mistakes and sourcing quality materials, they help you achieve the home of your dreams while staying within budget. It’s essential to establish a realistic budget early on and share this with your designer so they can help guide your decisions.
Interior designers can work in a variety of ways. Below are the 4 most common:
- Flat Fee – Detailed scope of work and one fee
- Hourly – Similar to that of an architect, therapist, lawyer or accountant
- Cost Per Square Foot – Typically for commercial
- Combination – Allows for a more detailed approach
PRO TIP: Be open to other options. Designers have a good reason for working the way that they choose. Ask questions to better understand why they prefer to work the way they do.
What Does A Luxury Interior Designer Do?
A full-service designer is your partner from start to finish. After your initial meeting, they’ll begin drafting detailed plans, including layout, measurements, and designs that are customized to your space. This planning phase ensures that every area functions optimally while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.
Once the project is underway, your designer will handle everything from sourcing and ordering custom furniture to coordinating with tradespeople and managing installations. Their deep industry connections and experience allow them to create a home that feels personalized and complete, with high-quality materials and finishes.
Don’t forget about the revisions that are made too. Designers will solve problems and rework plans so that things go off without a hitch.
What Is My Commitment?
Now that we better understand the process of finding an interior designer, you may still have some questions about what your role will be. Communication is key when working with an interior designer. Your designer will schedule meetings in person and via phone to discuss plans, schedule trades, and answer questions. You should be able to reach your designer during normal business hours and receive a response within 24 hours. They will quickly be added to your “favorites” in your phone.
When construction begins, the interior designer will bring in their trusted trades to complete the work. These are people that have typically worked with the interior designer in the past and have a good relationship with vetted work. These craftsmen also communicate directly with the designer. Arrangements can be made with the general contractor regarding schedules and deliveries.
The amount of time necessary for your project varies. Interior designers should be able to give you a realistic timeline of what to expect and when. There will be busy days, slow days, and sometimes no work at all. There may also be unexpected delays in your project so keep in mind that the timeline is dynamic. A good designer is always planning ahead to keep on schedule, on time, and on budget.
Glossary
Designer v. Decorator
An interior designer is formally educated in a school setting with a license and appropriate credentials. Passage of the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) is required for licensure in the United States. Designers cover everything from initial space planning to the final accessories. They not only make the space look beautiful but they can actually change the structure of the space to make it more functional. Decorators are hands-off in the design process but can help with the arrangement of furniture and décor.
Full Service Design v. Consultation
Full service design is a start to finish service. It will ensure that your home flows and works together to be the home you have always dreamt of. A consultation is a design directive that provides a wide-sweeping concept and vision but no technical or exacting information.
Space Planning
Designing the space for maximum functionality and ease of movement within a space utilizing set standards.
Letter of Agreement
A statement of understanding between the client and designer. This will give you a clear picture of the designer’s roles and responsibilities as well as you as the client.
Design Services v. Procurement Services
Design service is the planning of a space, sourcing products, and meeting with clients and vendors. Procurement service is the actual follow-through of the plan. This includes purchasing, delivering, installation of products, and coordinating of services.
Charlotte Fleet
| 15 November 2022I appreciate your tip to check the portfolios and websites of potential interior designers. My older sister is moving into a new house next month, and she’d like to hire an interior designer to start the design from scratch. She wants to find a designer by next weekend, so I’ll make sure that she only hires one after checking their portfolio.