Three of the Most Important Questions to Have Answered Before You Hire an Interior Design . When I started researching articles about hiring an Interior Designer, I noticed one thing. They all seemed to speak down to the potential client and perpetuate the mystique that the client is in the presence of a master. I decided that if I could do one thing for potential clients, I would take the “mystique” out of interviewing and hiring an Interior Designer while providing enough information to make the process enjoyable.

I have worked in the Interior Design field for 17 years and have owned my own design company, Lynle Ellis Designs for ten years. I am a Professional member of ASID (American Society for Interior Designers). As an Interior Designer, I believe that there are three major questions that you should have answered before you hire a designer. Keep in mind that the designer will be working for you, so you should feel very comfortable with them prior to their being hired.

The first question to ask yourself is: Did they ask a multitude of questions about you and your project: budget, use of space, how do you live, what do you want to accomplish, etc? This needs to happen at the initial interview meeting. It is our job as designers to find out what you, the client wants. The only way to do that is for the designer to ask lots of questions, sit back and listen. This is also how the designer can create a concise Letter of Agreement with a detailed Scope of Services. This is important so that everyone involved is quite clear as to what is going to be accomplished in your time together. During the initial designer interview, it is crucial to be very precise with your budget needs. At this time the designer needs to tell you if they can work within your budget. Not all designers are a good fit for each client and now is the time to find that out.

The second question to ask yourself is: Did they explain the process by which your design would be completed? This is so important I cannot stress it enough. Many Interior Designers can be very creative, but not at all organized. It is important and crucial for you to find out how they work. Many times your interior design project can feel overwhelming, especially if you are tackling a house renovation. A renovation can be extremely stressful because your living space, your peaceful sanctuary, is disrupted. This process will be smoothed over if your designer works the project in a logical manner, and you know that everything is being taken care of in a timely manner. I work in a sequence that begins with Programming, moves to Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documentation and finally Installation. I attempt to work through this process each time step by step so that design elements do not get overlooked, or even forgotten, which can cause undue stress. One of the best compliments I ever received was a client who told me that she had not cried once through her design process. She was so happy with the way the project was unfolding. Before she hired me, she was completely overwhelmed at the thought of her project, a total house renovation, that she was sure she would be in tears. My response was I hoped she had not cried for if she had, then I had not done my job. It is the designer’s responsibility to make the experience organized and creative so that the process is incredibly enjoyable for all involved. This applies to even the smallest project.

The third question to ask yourself is: Did the designer keep open lines of communication during the meeting? How a designer handles her or himself in the first meeting is a good indicator as to how the entire process is going to flow. Do they talk about communication as part of their business practice? Do they want to collaborate on your design project, or do they seem to want to direct it all? Do they listen to your ideas and ask if you have collected pictures for your design project. No actual designing is going to be accomplished in the first meeting because the process must be followed to find your ideal design solution; however, the designer should give you a feeling of actively asking for your ideas. If you leave the meeting with that impression, then you have found a designer that is going to work with you to create your perfect interior. I truly believe that all clients hold the key to their ideal interiors within themselves. It is our job as Interior Designers to find out what it is and then blend it to form a cohesive whole based on our prior professional experience.

These are only three of the many important questions to have answered before you hire an Interior Designer. When you have these three answered, then you can let your intuition take over after the meeting. Ask yourself, which designer did you feel the most comfortable with, for you will be spending a lot of time with this person. The Interior Designer/ Client relationship is a very personal one. We are given the amazing task of creating your perfect home with you. We need it to function well for you and be a beautiful space for you to come home to every day. It is my greatest pleasure to create a home so perfect for you that when you turn the key and walk in the front door, you take a deep cleansing breath and feel at peace in your beautiful home.

Copyright 2008 Lynle Hawkins-Struble All rights reserved