Working with an Interior Decorator
Excerpted and edited from Designers’ Challenge: Your Planning Workbook by HGTV
Unsure of whether you should work with a professional interior decorator to build your dream makeover? Read on to find everything you need to know including questions to ask yourself about your do-it-yourself ability and tried-and-true ways to find the right designer for your project.
What is your expertise?
Is your project easy or complex? Probably the best gauge in determining whether you need design help is the complexity of your plan. If you are comfortable selecting colors and enjoy changing the look of a room by rearranging the furniture, you likely possess the skills to make successful surface changes. If, however, you aren’t confident in your decorating skills – and you have a difficult time envisioning the style or look you want to achieve with your makeover – you may benefit from the help of a professional. At the very least, you can consult a decorator and then tackle the work yourself if you have the skills in various areas, such as painting.
Can you pinpoint what your room needs? If, after watching a makeover program or flipping througha decorating magazine, you realize your room suffers from the same deficiencies – you can envision how you can translate what you see for your own needs – you likely have the ability to redo the room yourself. However, if you are unhappy with the way your room looks but can’t put your finger on exactly what it is you don’t like, hiring a professional may provide some insight. Most professionals profess that the most challenging makeovers are often the ones in their own homes. When you live in a space day after day, it can be difficult to get the perspective you need to see what a room requires both functionally and aesthetically. An unbiased professional can often see possibilities homeowners never thought about.
Which interior decorator is right for you?
To narrow your top choices to the perfect candidate for your job, ask the person the following questions during your initial consultation. Also, don’t forget to do a “gut check”; you know whether you’ve established a good rapport with someone or if you’re uncomfortable. You will likely be spending a great deal of time with this person over the coming weeks and months, so ensure you have a positive relationship and feel confident voicing concerns and asking questions.
- Can I see your portfolio?
- May I tour one or more of the rooms shown in your portfolio?
- May I have a list of references?
- Will you be doing the actual work?
- What do you think is the most important aspect of design work and why?
- Can you think of a better way to accomplish my room redo goals?
- If I decide to hire you, how soon can I see preliminary and final ideas/sketches?
- How long do you anticipate it will take to complete the project?
- What role do you like to play during the process?
- What are your fees?
Is this a wise investment?
Interior decorators cost money, but they can also save you money. These experts know where to shop for quality, reasonably priced materials – at sources where the general public may not have access – and often have a team of trustworthy contractors they like to work with. If the professional’s plans are precise, there will likely be fewer changes required – and changes invariably add to a project’s expense.
This reference is distributed by Barbara Graceffa, President and CEO,
Secretary of the Interior
You can contact her at 617-921-6033 or
Can I see your portfolio? If the work in your portfolio is not what you had in mind, or if all the rooms presented are in a style that doesn’t appeal to you, ask about the person’s comfort level in tackling your dream makeover. If he or she is unwilling to do the research required – determining the appropriate colors and materials, for example – or tries to sway you into choosing his or her favorite style, you may want to consider another professional.
May I tour one or more of the rooms shown in your portfolio? Arrange to see one or more of the projects first hand. If you have the opportunity, talk to the client who commissioned the project, ask what he or she liked best and least in about working with the professional, whether there were challenges and how they were resolved, and so forth. Use the information you gather to help you determine whether the professional you are considering will be a good fit for your project and needs.
May I have a list of references? Most decorators will provide references on request. Take the time to talk to several clients on the list and ask how satisfied they were with his or her work. Their insight should be a good indicator of how the professional will handle him or herself on your project.