How to Choose the Perfect Interior Designer for Your New Home

When it is time to design your new home, you may feel intimidated. While you may have and idea in mind of what you want, you may not be sure how to choose and find the right products to pull it all together. Walking through design stores and even looking at paint samples can seem overwhelming. Hiring an interior designer can help alleviate the stress of designing your new home and help you to get the style you want. Read on for some tips for choosing an interior designer that is right for you and your home.

Think About Your Style

You are hiring an interior designer to help you get the style you want, but you are going to be happier if you go in with some ideas of what you want. Look through magazines and design books and watch design shows to get some ideas about what you like. Take notes and save pictures if you can. If you can give your designer a place to start, the end design will be what you want.

Set Your Budget

Consider how much you are willing to spend, both on you decor and the designer. You may be concerned that an interior designer will be way too expensive, but there are designers to fit all budgets. Additionally, an interior designer can help you achieve the style you want, which can save you money in the long run as you will be less likely to change it.

Find Designers in Your Area

There are many ways to find designers near you. You can always do an internet search or look in the phone book, but there are better ways to find a designer who will work well with you. You can talk to friends and businesses who have used designers and have tastes that are similar to yours. You can also request design portfolios so that you can find someone who is compatible with you. You can also use websites to find reviews of others who have used local interior designers. You may elect to use a designer who is certified. Most certifications require designers to go through design school.

Interview Designers

No matter how glowing the reviews, you need to actually meet with a designer before you hire him or her. You want to make sure that you are compatible with the person who will be designing your home so that you will feel comfortable saying what you like and don’t like. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want and be frank about your budget.

Don’t Box Yourself In

While it is important to have an idea in mind of the style that you want, you don’t want to be so focused on one style that you limit yourself. You are hiring a designer because he or she is a professional with an extensive knowledge of design. Just because something suggested may be a little outside of your style doesn’t mean that it won’t be perfect with your decor. Try to keep an open mind to your designer’s suggestions. You may be surprised at what might work.

Contract

Even if the interior designer your choose is a friend or a friend of a friend, it is important that the two of you sign a contract. Your contract should specify how much you will pay, what work is to be done and a deadline.

Finding a designer can take some research and effort, but once you find that perfect person to help you design your home, you will feel a lot less stressed. You can enjoy watching your home come together, and get ready to love your new home.