For most people, hiring an interior designer is an entirely new experience. The seemingly shiny world of interiors can feel a little daunting from the outside, but in truth, working with an interior designer is a great way to demystify the design and build industry. It’s our job to walk you through the process, and make sure you get the best possible outcome for your project.
If you’ve not worked with an interior designer before, it can be hard to know what you should be looking for. So we’ve outlined the top 10 questions you need to ask yourself before hiring an interior designer, to help you start that journey with confidence.
1. How long do you plan to live at the property?
Having an understanding of whether this property is your forever home or your home for the next 5 years is crucial. Not only will this help you determine a suitable budget, but it will also give your designer a clear idea of whether this space needs to evolve with your changing needs.
If you plan to raise a family in this home over the next 15 years, then you know the spaces need to be futureproofed; both in functionality and style. For example, decorating what is currently your spare room in a sophisticated moody palette may not be the best choice if that room is going to become a nursery in 4 years time.
Timing can also help dictate the budget. If your property is likely to be resold in the not too distant future, certain budgeting decisions should be made. There will be a natural cap on what you could sensibly spend on a renovation in order to ensure you can recoup your money upon resale. Whereas, for your forever home, it’s all about what brings you joy and works for the way you want to live.
2. What do you want the space to feel like?
This can be a hard one to quantify, especially if you aren’t used to fluffy designer-speak. But in essence, you should think about what mood you want to invoke when you spend time in that space. Is it something warm, cosy and inviting, or is it something light, fresh and calming? Are you a clutter hater or a maximalist? Thinking about these fundamental aesthetic principles will help your designer have a clear foundation for your design.
It’s important to note that considering these motifs does not mean you need to have a fully formed idea of the aesthetic you like. It’s the designer’s job to help you determine that - and after all, they will probably suggest things you may not have considered. Not all light and bright spaces need to be Scandi, and not all warm and cosy spaces need to be traditional. You can let your designer explore the details - you just provide the foundation.
3. What are your top 3 functional priorities for your home?
Good designers will always strive to deliver clever solutions to meet several functional needs. However, to avoid a space feeling disjointed, there are sometimes instances where compromise is needed. To help hone in on the priorities, have a think about your top 3 for each space, and rank them. Does your living room need to be more suitable for movie watching or entertaining? Does your study need to maximise storage or desk space?
4. Do you have any existing pieces that you definitely want to include in your new home?
Whether it’s artwork, furniture or lighting, having a sense of what’s definitely remaining in the space is fundamental. A space has to be designed holistically, and every piece in that room is chosen to bring balance.
5. What is a realistic budget for the work?
A lot of people can be reluctant to share a budget for fear that they won’t get the best price. However, when you’re undertaking a large renovation project, there are lots of moving parts to consider. It won’t be possible to properly allocate spend across those items without a general understanding of budget to begin with. For example, a sofa can cost £700 or £7,000 - it’s important for your interior designer to know what level of specification is realistic to ensure you maximise your budget. It’s no use designing a living room around a beautiful statement £5,000 rug if your total budget is £6,000.
6. What is your timeframe?
It’s useful to decide upon a preferred deadline for the overall works to be complete before commencing any design work. If timing is tight, your designer will know to avoid the specification of certain products or bespoke elements from the get go. It will also help them manage a feasible schedule with you, so you know ahead of time what deadlines both you and your designer need to meet.
7. Do you need an architect?
If you are undertaking an extension, conversion or new build, you will need an architect to map out the structural plans. Interior designers can often help mood board, explore internal layouts, brief and liaise with your architect, but the extensive drawings required for builders and planning applications are not generally within an interior designer’s scope.
In many ways, it’s best to engage your interior designer first, as they will be able to provide a clear brief to the architect regarding what the space should feel like, and potential options for internal layouts. An interior designer will think ahead to final colours and finishes, which can be massively useful for your architect.
8. Do you want assistance with the build?
There is no industry standard when it comes to how interior designers manage build. Some interior designers will handover to you once you have approved final plans, with the expectation that you will source and manage your own builders and joiners. They may offer ongoing consultation for an ad hoc fee - which if you have a trusted builder already could work for you.
Others, like K&L, will provide the builder, joiner, procurement management and project management services directly. They cover the whole process, and acknowledge the fact that the build is often the most crucial part of the process. If you do not have an existing builder, or if you simply don’t have capacity to manage the project yourself, this combined service could be the best way to go.
9. How much build work are you prepared to undertake?
While companies like K&L will work with you to minimise disruption, a bit of upheaval is unfortunately unavoidable when it comes to renovation. You need to consider whether you are able to live in the property while the works are underway, and if not, you will need to factor in rental costs to your budgets.
If you have small children, you will need to be realistic about the fact that there will likely be chunks of time where it will not be safe to reside at the property if you are doing extensive works.
If minimising disruption is a key thing for you, your interior designer will be able to either map out a phased approach to ensure you can remain at the property throughout, or they will work out how to achieve a refreshed look for your space with minimal build work - focussing on light touch decorating and loose furniture.
10. What do you expect from your interior designer?
If you have never worked with an interior designer before, you may have a preconceived idea of what they offer and their role in your project. Many people expect their interior designer to assist with detailed design, but don’t consider how they might help with the build management. Others want a more sweeping consultation on design, but longstanding assistance with the budgeting and renovation works as a whole.
Some interior designers offer a wide range of services, while others focus more wholly on the early design stages. It’s important to establish what it is you need, so you can ensure you are working with the right team.
