Selecting a Good
Interior Design Consultant
A good interior design consultant is as important to a remodeling project as a builder is to a new home construction. If you decide to work with one, they should bring a wealth of experience and product knowledge to the table to help you with your remodeling or new home construction project.
Hiring a good designer
Good interior design consultants are more like good therapists. They don't tell you what to do, rather they guide you through a process of selecting options that best suite your style and provides the best outcome. So how do you find a good interior design consultant? Well, the best way is through word of mouth and referrals. Talk to your friends to see if any of them recently used an interior design specialist and if they were happy with the results. Interior designer web sites can be helpful, but also visit local builders and model homes to obtain referrals. Another great source for referrals can be your local furniture store. Many can provide interior design referrals or have local designers that moonlight in the store. Your local parade of homes or builder show rooms are also good sources.
First Impressions
You should interview a few interior design consultants before you make your final selection. Be sure to review pictures of their recent work. Ask for referrals and contact their clients to see if they were happy. It's important that you develop a good relationship with the interior design consultant. You should feel comfortable discussing your budget and its important that you feel the designer is listening to you. You should be comfortable saying no. In the end, you need to feel like there was a common goal between you and the designer.
Experience Matters
The ideal interior design consultant will have many years of experience working with builders, vendors and other suppliers. They should have depth of experience in fabric, appliances, furniture and other accessories. After listening to your desires, they should be able to take you to the showrooms, fabric stores and other vendors that will supply you with the unique products that will develop your individual style.
Selecting the right Interior Design Consultant will help ensure that when the project is finished, you love the results.
By K. Cole
