FINDING YOUR INTERIOR DESIGNER

Embarking on a new build or renovation project is an exciting prospect, but finding the right interior designer to bring your vision to life can make all the difference. Designing a space, whether for your business or home, should be an intimate process in discovering how you want to think, feel, live and move throughout your space. Finding an interior designer who supports that is crucial. While being in alignment with your vision and desires is paramount, there are also a myriad of other factors that are key in ensuring the process is smooth and the final results are what you dreamed of...and more!

WHERE TO START

These days, word of mouth and online/social media are the best places to begin. Check in with friends, family, or colleagues who have worked with interior designers to hear about their experience. If there are designers who have already caught your eye, look to see if they have testimonials and referrals on their website or hit up google reviews. This is a great opportunity to also be able to really gauge their quality of work. Study their portfolio or ask that friend who just had their kitchen remodeled. Better yet, if you’re able to walk through a space they’ve designed, look at details up close, note their durability or lack thereof, and watch how people use the space. 

Checking out their website to dig into their portfolio will allow you to get a peek into their style, range, experience, and design aesthetic, but their social media presence can give you another important piece of information. Sure, social media is a marketing tool, but it is also a place of community. Scroll through a prospective designer’s socials to see how they communicate with people. Noticing them engage in the comment section, sharing and supporting past clients’ businesses, or seeing clients raving about their experience, can all give you clues as to what they are like to work with. 

WHAT TO CONSIDER

So, perhaps you’ve found an interior designer with stellar reviews and a portfolio that is on point, but wonder what else you should consider before working with them. Firstly, take a look at what their past experience is and if it’s compatible with your project. For example, is their portfolio mostly smaller residential projects and you’re on the cusp of building a large scale, conceptual restaurant? Are they capable of the scope and style of your project? Are they familiar with both the residential and commercial building codes and regulations in your area? 

Also, look a little deeper into their portfolio, are they a one hit wonder or are they capable of bending the rules for your design project? Do they keep up with continued education courses; travel for inspiration, sourcing, and trade shows; and demonstrate overall curiosity about the latest and greatest in the industry? Take a look at their credentials, certifications, and/or awards. Here in Manitoba, PIDIM is the regulating body for interior designers. Check to see if the designer is a member, holds their NCIDQ certification, or holds any other relevant certifications that indicate their experience. Awards are a great way to see if your designer is well received by peers or the public at large. Publication and press nods are also brilliant indicators of a successful designer! 

Something else to get curious about is their problem-solving skills; how do they handle challenges and unforeseen issues during a project? Ask your potential designer for examples of challenging scenarios they encountered in the past and how they handled them. You will want to have someone who can think on their feet, is fluid and open to the process, and has the experience and knowledge to handle it all if things go a little sideways!

Looking for a designer who has the “know how” and potential of bringing fresh and innovative ideas to your project while still respecting your vision can be the secret to success!

IN ALIGNMENT

One of the most important factors in choosing the right interior designer is making sure they are in alignment with your vision, and ultimately, with yourself! It's essential to have open and effective communication with your designer. Do they read the room well, actively listen, and make you feel heard? Do you feel comfortable and supported? Does the style and quality of their past work align with your project's needs? Are they holding space for you to feel safe sharing your desires or just imposing their own?

Consider things that are personal to your project, for example let’s say environmental impact is important to you, ask about the designer's approach to sustainability and eco-friendly design. Do they have any projects you can review that demonstrate this ethos? Are they willing and capable of meeting these needs?

This is someone you will be working closely with, not only for a length of time, but on something that should be deeply personal, and ensuring the vision and relationship are in sync is crucial to the process and end result!

THE NITTY GRITTY

Ok, so you’ve found an interior designer with all the boxes checked and your chemistry together is next level, before you jump all in, let’s get into the nitty gritty! This is the least fun topic of conversation, but arguably the make it or break it of a project. First of all, you both need to be transparent with your budget and their fees. Clearly state your firm budget and be sure they provide you with a concise breakdown of fees and costs associated with their services. Consider not only if their fees align with your budget, but if they are on par with industry standards for their level of experience and in line with the complexity of the project/deliverables.

Next up, what is their availability and projected timelines? Does the interior designer have a team, are they a solo-preneur or do they have support staff?

Discuss your project timeline requirements and if their availability aligns with your schedule, and ensure that they have the capacity to take on your project and meet your deadlines.

Lastly, once you get to the contract stage, make sure you look over things carefully. Triple check that the designer provides a detailed contract outlining all aspects of the project, including scope of work, responsibilities, deliverables, budget and payment terms, as well as, liability insurance in case things don’t go to plan! 

When it comes time to choosing an interior designer, try not to rush the process. Ask around, do your research, reach out and get those consultations to ask questions...all the questions! And above all, trust your instincts when making your final decision! Ultimately, the best interior designer for your project should not only provide you with a space beyond your expectations, but also make it a lovely experience along the way...and who knows, maybe even gain a friend!