Choosing an interior designer can be a difficult process. In order to help you navigate the landscape we have come up with a list of questions to ask yourself which will lead you in the right direction:
1. Do I really need a designer?
Think about the scope of your project. Do you want to redo a whole room or even an entire house? Or are you looking for guidance on what the next piece you need is or what color scheme you should pick? If you’re just looking for a little bit of guidance it is very possible that you can get it for free. Many furniture and home furnishings stores will do home visits or in-store consultations for free. Interior designers can be expensive and sometimes will not take on very small projects.
2. What do I like?
When meeting a designer it is good to have some idea in mind of what you like. While it will be the job of the designer to ultimately come up with a plan, it is helpful if you can at least provide some pictures of things you like. The internet has become the number one resource for interior design research. Reading blogs and following designers on Pinterest are both great ways to find pictures of things and ideas that you didn’t even know existed! Magazines, such as House Beautiful and Architechtural Digest are other places where you might find inspiration. If you have a good idea of things you generally like it will save you a lot of time in the long-run.
3. How much is this going to cost?
There are various payment structures used in the interior design world and it is important to find a designer who uses the one that best suits you.
- Hourly Charges – Many designers charge by the hour. If you are looking for general guidance or are not planning on purchasing anything soon this may be your best bet.
- Furniture Mark up – Some designers do not charge by the hour but instead put a mark up on each piece of furniture you buy. If this is the case, be sure to find out what that mark up is before you agree to work with them.
- Flat fee – The third type of payment structure is a flat fee for design services. Many times furniture stores will have designers on staff who will fulfill all your design needs for a flat fee under the pretense that you buy the furniture through them. This is generally a good way to go as you usually get the most bang for your buck.
4. What is my timeline?
It is important to have expectations regarding a completion date. Are you more concerned with the absolute perfect room or do you need to get something installed fast? In the furniture industry today it can take up to 6 months before anything arrives. Do you need something sooner? Ask your potential designer how long it will take to get a room complete. Do they anticipate buying things from a store or company that has a lot of stock or will you be waiting for something to be shipped by boat from Vietnam? There are still stores that keep high levels of stock and maybe this is the place for you to go to for help.
The Kellogg Collection offers assistance at any level. For smaller projects when you don’t feel the need for a designer, our sales associates are more than happy to help. And for those times when its all just a little too overwhelming we also offer full Design Services. Schedule a free in-store consultation with our sales associates today or call our stores for more information on the design services that are off.
