How to Select an Interior Designer

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (2 Ratings)

Whether you're updating the look of your kitchen or choosing the decor for your newly constructed dream mansion, the most important part of your project is hiring a qualified interior designer. Interior designers are more specialized than interior decorators, requiring additional certification, education and training. The following steps will help you select the right design professional for the job.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Step1

Define your purpose for hiring an interior designer. Establish a budget and estimate how long the project will take.

Step2

Determine your style. Visit model homes, read architecture and decorating books, cut out magazine pictures and visit home design showrooms for ideas.

Step3

Search the Internet for interior designers, associations and local chamber of commerce websites. Select only designers listed in professional membership directories.

Step4

Browse designers' websites and look at their portfolios for styles that are compatible with yours. Find out how many years they've been in business, read client testimonials, and see if they work alone or with a team of other designers. Also check them out with the Better Business Bureau. Narrow down your list of prospects.

Step5

Call the remaining designers and interview them over the phone, visit their shops or arrange in-home meetings. Ask for referrals from past clients. Pass on the ones that are reluctant to offer referral names.

Step6

Interview the final interior designer(s) on your list, and don't be afraid to ask questions about topics that were not covered on their website. Pay attention to their appearance, personality and level of competence. Ask about fees, deposits and other policies. Also, find out about extra services and how far they're willing to travel for materials.