The field of interior design deals with much more than just paint colors and furniture. Interior designers analyze your space, create design concepts, select materials and finishes, and oversee project implementation from start to finish. Whether you’re renovating your home or starting a new construction project, working with an interior designer can help bring your vision to life.
If you’re not sure where to start your search for an interior designer, this guide covers everything you need to know about working with one and getting the most out of your design experience.
Understanding the Role of an Interior Designer
While learning more about what an interior designer does, it helps to learn what they aren’t. Before you hire an interior designer, you should know the difference between designers, decorators, and architects.
Differences Between Designers, Decorators, and Architects
While the three are often confused, interior designers, decorators, and architects have distinct roles. Architects focus on structural planning and the layout of the home. Decorators primarily handle aesthetic elements like color schemes, paint finishes, and furnishings.
On the other hand, designers stylize indoor spaces beyond colors and furnishings. Interior designers deal with the spatial planning of your rooms and ensure that your space meets safety standards and building codes. They also cover spatial room layout, lighting design, traffic flow, and what fabrics and finishes belong in your rooms.
Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer
Hiring an interior designer may seem like a big expense, but it comes with a few major perks. An interior designer can improve your project’s overall outcome and prevent any unnecessary headaches during the planning stages. Consider the following benefits when deciding whether to hire an interior designer.
Time Management
A professional designer can save you considerable time and effort in researching products, coordinating with vendors, and managing the project. Their expertise can help you avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions that align with your budget and timeline. For example, a designer can guide you to invest in timeless pieces that offer long-term value rather than trendy items that may soon need replacement.
Access to Professional Resources
Interior designers have access to a wide network of suppliers, artisans, and industry professionals. This network allows them to source unique materials, custom pieces, and specialized services that may not be readily available to the public. The ability to procure these exclusive items can elevate a design from ordinary to extraordinary, making the space uniquely yours. If you’re a fan of all things premium and boutique, this is a big perk.
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
With their experience and knowledge, interior designers can help you sidestep potential pitfalls in your project. For example, they can advise against impractical design choices, such as using absorbent materials in bathrooms or selecting finishes that clash with your belongings. Their guidance ensures that your space is not only beautiful but also durable and functional, standing up to everyday use.
Finding the Right Interior Designer for Your Project
Selecting the right interior designer for your project can be a make-or-break moment, but it’s not as simple as doing a simple Google search. You should hire a designer who understands and appreciates your vision for your home, which can be a challenge. Use the following tips to help pick the best interior designer for your needs.
Researching Potential Candidates
Start by looking for members of professional organizations like the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). These organizations often have educational and testing requirements, ensuring that their members are highly qualified. You can also read reviews online and ask for personal recommendations from friends and family to find an interior designer that suits your style.
Evaluating Designer Portfolios
Once you narrow down your list of potential designers, review their portfolios to get a sense of their work. Look for projects similar to yours in scope and style to ensure the designer has relevant experience. Checking out their portfolio helps you gauge their creativity, attention to detail, and versatility in handling different types of spaces.
Conducting Interviews
Once you’ve shortlisted potential designers, schedule interviews to discuss your project. Use this opportunity to assess their communication style, understanding of your vision, and ability to work within your budget and timeline. During this interview, be sure to ask any questions that may arise, including basic questions about the project timeline and cost.
The Interior Design Process
Renovations don’t happen overnight—understanding the interior design process will prevent you from going into it with unrealistic expectations. Although this process may vary depending on the designer you choose, use the following stages as a general outline.
Initial Consultation
The interior design process usually begins with an initial consultation where the designer learns about your style preferences, lifestyle, and project goals. This is also when you should discuss budget and timeline expectations. For some designers, the interview and initial consultation happen at the same time. First impressions matter, so be straightforward about your expectations to help the designer create a plan that aligns with your vision.
Concept Development
Based on your initial consultation, the designer will develop design concepts, including space plans, color schemes, and material selections. This phase may involve your feedback and take several iterations to refine the design. However, this is still the time for brainstorming, so nothing is set in stone.
Design Presentation
After finalizing their plans, the designer will present their concepts, often using visual aids such as mood boards, 3D renderings, or material samples. This is your chance to provide feedback and request changes. Be extremely open and honest with your designer at this stage. If you hold back on sharing any criticisms or ideas, you may not be happy with the final product.
Implementation and Installation
Once the design is finalized, the implementation phase begins. This involves ordering materials, coordinating with contractors, and overseeing installation to ensure the design is executed as planned. The designer will often visit the site to monitor progress and address any issues that arise, ensuring that every detail aligns with the original vision.
Costs and Billing Methods
Interior design is a big investment, so when it comes to payment, understanding different billing methods can help you choose the best situation for your project. Interior design rates range from $2,065 to $14,754* per project, but not all projects bill the same way. Read on to learn more about free services, flat-fee rates, and hourly billing.
*Cost data in this article sourced from contractor estimates used by Angi.
Free Services: Pros and Cons
While rare, some designers offer free services. However, this usually means they’re acting as manufacturers’ representatives to push specific products. Hiring a free designer can be tempting, but this approach can limit your options and cost more in the long run. These designers might suggest higher-priced items from the brands they represent, increasing your overall project costs.
Flat-Fee Arrangements
Flat-fee designers charge a set amount for the entire project, regardless of how long it takes. Alternatively, some designers may charge a flat fee per room. This may seem more affordable than hourly billing, but be aware that flat-fee designers may try to mark up products to get more money from you. However, if your designer is trustworthy, flat-fee rates can be more cost-effective overall.
Hourly Billing: The Safest Bet
Hourly billing is the most common and transparent option for interior design. This arrangement allows you to control costs and terminate the relationship if needed. The average rate for interior design fees is $50 to $200 per hour, yet those rates can get as high as $500 per hour for top names in the industry. Hourly billing ensures that you only pay for the time spent on your project, offering more flexibility and control over your budget.
Common Interior Design Challenges
Every renovation has its share of hiccups, so it’s important to know how to deal with problems when they arise.
Creative Differences
If you and your designer have differing opinions, it’s always best to communicate clearly. The designer’s job is to fulfill your needs as a client, so you should make your requests known. Still, their expertise is valuable, so it’s a good idea to consider their suggestions even if they clash with your own ideas. Good interior designers have a knack for thinking of bold approaches that you may not have considered.
Budget Constraints
If budget issues arise, work with your designer to prioritize elements of the design. They can often suggest creative solutions or alternatives that maintain the overall design vision while reducing costs. Transparency about budget constraints ensures the project remains financially feasible without compromising on quality. If you wait too long to share your financial concerns, you may end up paying the price.
Timeline Issues
Delays are common when working with an interior designer, but they don’t have to become a major issue. Do your best to stay flexible and calm when issues arise. Most importantly, maintain consistent communication with your designer to keep tabs on the process. Your designer acts as your representative to the contractor and any other parties involved, so they can often help mitigate the impact of delays on the overall project.
Tips for Communicating With Your Designer
Communication is key, especially when there’s an investment on the line. If you want to make sure that your project turns out as great as you hoped, you’ll need to communicate clearly with your interior designer.
Check In Regularly
Regular check-ins help keep the project on track and give you opportunities to address any issues as soon as they arise.
Make Any Design Changes Official in Writing
Changes are inevitable once a job gets underway, but they don’t have to be a source of friction. To make sure everyone is on the same page, make sure you put any changes you want in writing.
To do this, list your design changes on a change-order request form. Then, make sure you and your interior designer sign and date the form. If the contractor doesn’t have official forms, print your own out at home. When your contractor gets one of these forms, they know it’s OK to make changes to the original plans and bill you for the work.
