3 More Important Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask When Hiring an Interior Designer
We know there is a lot to consider when deciding to hire an interior designer, and you likely have a lot of questions. Asking the right questions and finding the perfect fit can not only impact the design you’re left with but also how much you enjoy the process along the way. At Eclectic Design, we are dedicated to guiding you through each step of the design process, making sure every decision is made with an eye toward creating the forever home you’ve dreamed of.
Sure, you could pull pages from magazines, endlessly scroll social media, watch hours of HGTV (not real), or try to sort through the multiple saved screenshots on your phone. But creating something similar in your own home that will last a long time? It can feel impossible, especially when you consider the millions of options available. Just because something looks beautiful doesn’t mean it will work in your home with your existing pieces and elements.
But don’t feel bad! Designing a space that combines your personal story and design goals, all while keeping your investment in mind and feeling assured that your choices are ones you will enjoy for generations to come, is not easy for most people. This is where an experienced designer can be a lifesaver.
On our last blog post we covered important questions to ask about a designer’s process, so you already know that fully understanding your designer’s process is a great first step. Today, we’re digging into a few more questions that will help you learn even more about your designer so you can be sure you are aligned with them before you decide to hire.
Question One —
“Have you done an interior design project like mine before?”
It’s important to make sure your type of project and end goals are in alignment with the services your interior designer offers. Some full service designers focus on kitchen and bath remodels, while others concentrate on furnishings-only projects. Some may only do new construction projects but not remodels, or vice versa. It’s important that the designer you work with has the expertise to match the scale of the project you’re hoping to complete, so you can be sure it crosses the finish line successfully.
At Eclectic Designs, we specialize in full service interior design for new construction and renovations, along with furnishing and styling. Our favorite projects to create are uniquely personal forever homes that reflect the stories of our clients, and are designed to be lived in and loved for a lifetime.
Question Two —
“What if I don't like the design you come up with?”
Experienced interior designers are well-versed in collecting all the right information from you to ensure the design concept is aligned with what you’re hoping for or even exceeds what you are expecting.
We know the right questions to ask, how to spot repetition among your inspiration images, and how to distill everything you tell us into a design that is customized to your needs and wants.
But there may be instances when a designer misses the mark just a bit, and the concept or selections need some extra refinement. Make sure you understand your designer’s process for revising the design concept, or making re-selections of items that just don’t resonate with you. There should always be a workable and efficient process in place if you are not completely happy with what your designer proposes.
At Eclectic Designs, the research phase of every project is incredibly personalized, detailed, and thorough, ensuring we have a complete understanding of your design tastes and lifestyle to inform our decision-making. Our process is collaborative, and we want you to love your design, so we always include a certain number of re-selections to make adjustments. In cases where you are unsure of an item and it's something we know you'll love, we'll state our case as to why it's "the one" for you. More often than not, these items are the ones our clients tell us they love most.
Question Three —
“Who handles all the final details, like hanging artwork, placing accessories, removing packaging material and shipping boxes?”
It will be helpful for you to understand what you’ll be responsible for when all the finishing pieces are brought into your home. You may hear the term “white glove delivery” which means all items are assembled, and packaging materials are removed and disposed of. But you’ll also want to understand if and when your designer will put items in place (hanging artwork, placing accessories). This is called “styling” and you’ll want to know when this will happen, whether you need to be out of your home, if there are additional fees for it, what you should budget for it, and what specific last-minute responsibilities you will have to get everything to 100% completion.
Eclectic Design includes furnishing and styling as the last important layer of our full service interior design process.
We take great care that all furnishings are safely delivered and installed, artwork is accurately hung, and decorative items are meticulously placed to complete the space. If we are removing items, gently used pieces will be donated. Any packing materials or boxes will be recycled or discarded.
We’ll likely send you out for the day while these exciting finishing touches are being completed so we can enjoy unveiling the completed space to you when you return. One of our greatest joys is the moment we welcome you back into your beautiful new space and raise a glass to the many new memories that will be made and shared with friends and family.
Are you ready for the next step?
We hope these extra questions help you feel even more prepared to hire an interior designer for your project. We know first hand that when you meet your perfect designer and transform your home, the ripple effects can be enjoyed for generations to come.
If you are considering hiring an interior designer for your forever home and enjoyed learning about how we work with our clients, we’d love to hear from you. We invite you to collaborate with us on creating a vision of your perfect forever home.
