Because in part an interior designer is an artist,many people believe there is some kind of mystery about hiring one. And in part,that’s true. People go to an interior designer because they have great skill in helping design a unique place for them to live.
However,unlike hiring an artist like the mysterious Bansky,who at one time sold art direct to the public,or David Hockney or Jeff Koons,an interior designer produces a different type of art,one that is collaborative in general.
Rather than hiring a designer,writing a check,and just letting them work,interior stylists meet with a client and intensely listen to their desires for the planning of the space they want to live in.
Therefore,most designers agree that the number one tip for hiring a designer is to see if they as clients and the designer click.
Sometimes,clients come to a designer and don’t know exactly what they want,but through close questioning,the designer will slowly draw that out of them.
Often,it’s enough just to know what the client does not want in particular.
Consider the rule of three!
Two designers,Ariel Okin and Christine Markatos Lowe suggest that you meet with no more than three designers. They agree that limiting the amount to three or less,will make the right designer pop-up from those interviewed. More than that,and confusion,
reigns.
Find a designer you trust
Ariel Okin says that meeting a designer is a bit like dating in that the client needs to put in a lot of work and ask the right questions. The object he says is to find a designer you trust. When there is great trust,then the client,once he has expressed his or her wishes,allows the designer to have a sense of freedom to design the interior,and it is much more fun for the client.
Come prepared to meet the designer
It’s generally agreed that if the client comes to a meeting with images and photographs of ideas they really like,that the client and the designer will quickly come to a general agreement on what is needed.
The second time the designer and the client meet,the designer should then bring preliminary sketches of what he or she has envisioned the client wants and yet allows for the artistic expression of the designer.
Be completely trasparent about your budget
An important part of the client-designer relationship is to be completely open from the start on your budget. You don’t need to pin it down to an exact dollar amount,but the designer needs to know a range you are willing to spend.
Finally,go with your gut
Check references,and do all the normal things when hiring a designer,but in the end,follow your gut to find the best results.
In Hong Kong,many clients have chosen Dots and Tots at https://www.dotsntots.com.sg/ because when meeting their designers,they have found that Dots N Tots meets all the requirements of a good designer.