Turn your concept into reality - how to hire the right interior designer for your home
Do it in style and make the most of that space
An Interior Designer is best located by personal recommendation, of course. Like any other trade or profession, there really is no substitute for 'track record' and the word of a trusted friend. Even so, you should not assume that merely because the recommended person or company was clearly the right choice for your contact they will be the right interior designer for you to engage or hire, too.
Interior design is a very personal matter and, therefore, before you hire an interior designer, you should make sure that you are clear about what fees will be charged and for providing what services, as well as the individual preferences, skills and experience of your chosen interior designer. As always, the advice is to ask a few pointed questions while viewing a portfolio of their previous work before you engage anyone. Try to get to see at least one or two of these projects but remember not to inconvenience the owners.
Assuming a personal recommendation is not possible then an interior designer can be located in the following directories:
- American Society of Interior Designers
- International Interior Design Association
- Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia (IDIBC)
- Interior Designers of Alberta (IDA)
- Interior Designers Association of Saskatchewan (IDAS)
- Professional Interior Designers Institute of Manitoba (PIDIM)
- Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO)
- Association of Registered Interior Designers of New Brunswick (ARIDNB)
- British Interior Design Association (BIDA)
Of course there is always Yellow Pages or the internet and don't forget to look in publications like Ideal Home for examples of the work. In fact, it is a good idea to start by looking at pictures yourself so that you get some concept of the type of finish you are looking to achieve as you will need this knowledge to shortlist and eventually engage your interior designer.
Wait! Don't hire an interior designer until you've gone through this checklist.
So, in summary and before you actually hire anyone:
- Develop a design brief built around your own preferences setting out the size and layout of your home, your own concept and what you are hoping to achieve. Circulate this to suitable interior designers.
- Analyze the responses and shortlist a few candidates. Visit their offices and ask to see examples of previous similar work.
- Make sure you are entirely clear about what you are getting for your money and that the brief the interior designer will be working to matches your requirements exactly.
- Jointly prepare a contract confirming all of the agreed terms and fees making sure that there are clauses for eventualities such as dissatisfaction and desertion of the work (it can happen unfortunately).
- Agree a start date, sign the contract and engage the chosen company or individual.
Good luck finding your home interior designer.