Finding an interior designer is one thing. But working together to achieve exemplary results is a different ball game altogether. Often, you’re sure you have the right designer for the job, only for the design project to end up disastrous for many reasons.
An interior designer is a crucial part of the equation when planning to transform or complement your spaces. So, what can you do to better your chances of success? Here’s how to support your interior designer to accommodate the best outcome.
Come Prepared With Samples
You may not always have the right words to express your desires to your interior designer. However, bringing samples of colors, pictures, and vision boards of what you have in mind goes a long way in showing the designer where your mind is at.
Bring fabric swatches, newspaper cuttings, pictures, furniture catalogs, paint chips, etc. help paint a clear picture. Avoid pacing yourself and give as much detail about what you are looking for.
Decide What Stays and Goes
If you’re doing a home makeover, be particular about what you want to keep. Part of the interior designer’s job is to discard some things in your home to make space for the new items they’ll bring.
Avoid waiting until it’s too late to mention that you need the wooden sideboard to stay, for example. This sets the designer up for extra costs to have the furniture ferried back, which could cause frustration and delays.
The best time to tell the designer what you’d like to retain is during their initial visit or consultation.
Keep an Open Mind
Los Angeles interior designers are known to push boundaries and opt for non-conventional ideas, provided they are confident that they will work for your space. Be open to any new suggestions that may not be part of the plan you drafted on your first consultation.
The designer may suggest a type of fabric, wallpaper, or furniture that you may not be too fond of. Instead of shooting their ideas down. Trust the process and let the designer do what they do best. Chances are, in the end, you’ll see the complete picture and be glad you didn’t say no.
The Earlier, the Better
If you’re moving to a new place, remodeling, or building your home from scratch, consider including an interior designer right from the planning stages. That way, the contractor, architect, and interior designer can join efforts and make the necessary adjustments to avoid potential discrepancies.
It’s better to move a window or restructure doorways on the printed plan than demolish them after construction because you failed to involve the interior designer.
Be Transparent
Let your designer know if you change your mind or need to adjust and add to your initial plan. Your interior designer has likely worked with plenty of people and is professional enough to accommodate changes without getting frustrated.
Transparency allows your designer to maneuver and incorporate your suggestions to avoid setbacks, delays, and unnecessary extra costs. Also, let the designer know how much you can and can’t afford and be precise about the budget.
Trust your Designer
When the interior designer removes and adds various items and aspects of your space, things can appear distorted. Avoid constantly second-guessing and questioning their work and let them work.
As a creative, the best interior designer in Los Angeles works better when they have a clear mind. You may have sifted through many interior designers or found them via credible referrals. This hints at them being professional and up to the task. Avoid micromanaging your interior designer and support them by trusting they know what they’re doing.
What exactly are you paying for, and how much will that be? Every professional interior designer works with a brief that details how much the entire interior décor process will cost. During consultations, the designer will brief you regarding the design process, challenges, and timeline.
Clarify the Billing and Budget
Understand that site visits, phone conversations, and purchase of materials and furnishings are a few list items you’ll need clarification on regarding billing. Ask for regular briefs and updates on spending to keep track of the process and learn how your money is spent.
Bottom Line
Working with your interior designer is much like dating. Finding the best match only scratches the surface. Personality and trust are additional vital factors that can make or break your experience with your interior designer.
Make an effort to work through the ups and downs, maneuvering through difficulties throughout the project to guarantee success. Above are a few pointers to help support your interior designer and make the experience seamless and fulfilling.
