6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer for Living Rooms

In a recent survey of about 2,00 millennials, aged 22 to 37, 45 percent of them want the first home they purchase to be the house of their dreams. Buying your first home is one step to achieving that American dream. The next step is designing that house into the dream home you've always envisioned. 

Hiring an interior designer to help you bring that vision to life is the next big step you should take. If you want to update or completely redo the living room you'll be sharing with friends and family, the right interior designer can help you accomplish that goal.

There are some questions you should ask before deciding on the right designer though. Keep reading to learn what they are. 

1. Ask the Designer About Creative Control 

Some people like their home projects to be a collaborative process. Others might like to hand the reins over to their designer and let them take care of everything, trusting them to bring their vision for their living space to life. 

The decision is ultimately up to you but it's important to ask the designers you seek out about their process before hiring them, choosing someone who will make you feel most comfortable about the way they work. 

Some designers like to work alongside their clients with each creative decision that must be made. Others prefer to know their clients' visions and work to bring them to life with full creative control. It's important to know how much involvement you'd like to have and how the designer you choose likes to work before moving forward, that way you'll establish a great working relationship. 

2. Ask About the Costs 

Having an interior design budget before making a hiring decision is crucial. Knowing how to budget for a project of such a big size or any project is an important part of financial responsibility. Figuring out your budget is the first step you should take. 

Once you have created a budget for the design of your living room, consult with different interior design firms, and see which one fits your budget the most. Ask the firm how they calculate costs for the area they'll be designing. Make sure to also ask if they include costs for furniture and moving charges and what kind of designer fees they charge. 

3. Ask Them About the Challenges They've Faced

When trying to decide which designer to choose to help you create the dream home or living space you've always wanted, it's a good idea to ask them about some of the challenges they've faced. One thing to ask is what the firm finds the most difficult about designing a living room or any other area of the home. This will help you decipher whether this designer will be able to meet the specific needs you have.

Another great question to ask is what are some of the challenges the firm has faced with other clients and how they've worked to resolve them. What they say in regard to this question will give you an idea of how they work with their clients. Here you'll see how professionally they communicate and how your working relationship with them might turn out. 

4. Don't Forget to Ask About Project Length

While designing an entire home might take some more time than focusing on one area of the home, it's important that you set a timeline for finishing the project in the same way you set a budget. Setting a timeline will prevent any delays in getting back to your normal life and prevent any additional costs in regard to time spent working in the home. 

Asking the design firm about the length of time they'll need to work on your home and planning out a schedule with them will indicate whether they're the right fit for you. You might need to shift how you live or have to move out while the renovation is taking place, so that's something to keep in mind when choosing a designer. 

5. Ask About Their Specialities and Style of Design

There are so many different styles for living rooms and once you have an idea about what you want for yours you'll know what to look for in an interior designer. It's important that you ask a design firm about their style of design and if they specialize in any specific design styles. 

If you're set on a specific design look for your living room, for example, a rustic interior design, finding a firm that specializes in that style or has done it successfully many times before is a good path to take. Asking the designer about some of their favorite projects and where they draw inspiration for them will tell you if they're the right fit for your personal vision. 

6. Asking About References Is Very Important

It's important to ask about references and reviews when looking for the perfect interior designer. It's likely that you'll find reviews of the firm on their website but it's always a good idea to ask for references you can reach out to yourself.

Knowing how other clients felt about their finished project and about the client/designer relationship will be a good indicator of how good of a firm they are. This will tell you if they're the right firm for your home project. 

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer

Hiring an interior designer to renovate your living room is the path toward getting that house of your dreams. Contact us with any questions you may have so we can begin discussing your design project. We'll help bring your vision to life!