You have recently moved into a new house, and you are looking for the perfect interior decorator to help you make it feel like home. Before your designer goes to work, they need an idea of your lifestyle, budget, and tastes. Therefore, you will sit down with your designer for a consultation.
It is easy to end up having a conversation about your general likes and dislikes when you have this consultation. If you do not get into specific details, the designer may misunderstand you, or they may end up going way over budget.
You must prepare for your consultation with your interior designer. Home design is a collaborative effort, and you must understand one another. There are a few steps you can take to have a successful interior design consultation.
Set Goals
There is a reason you are using an interior designer instead of doing things for yourself. Perhaps you are too busy, or perhaps you are not good at bringing things together.
Think about why you hired a designer and what you wish to accomplish. Do you live alone, or do you have a family with children? Are you planning to sell the house right away, or is it going to be your home for a long time?
If you are turning the home into an Airbnb, you probably want something practical and designed for convenience.
Take Lifestyle Into Consideration
The way you live will affect the space. If your living room is a place where children will play, it will be designed much differently than if you will use it as a place where guests will wait for you before you head out.
If you are one of those people who live in their bedroom, you probably want everything in there to be within arm’s length. You will want books and an entertainment center in that room as well.
If you only sleep in the bedroom and hang out in the living room, you want to configure everything differently.
If you have an extra room, consider what you will use it for. Do you have enough house guests to justify turning it into a guestroom, or would it make more sense to make it a study or a living room?
What is Your Budget?
When it comes to your home, your comfort and happiness should be your priority. However, you do not want to have a beautiful home and no way to pay the mortgage. Be sure to tell the decorator how much you would like to spend.
A good designer will never go over budget without your permission. If they feel that they cannot work within your budget, they will let you know. Some companies offer loans and financing for home design if it is worth it to you. You may have to prove to a lender that you are trustworthy and that the decorating will be a good investment.
Be Specific
When you meet with your designer, they will ask you questions about your likes and dislikes. They may ask you everything from your favorite colors to what type of clothing you wear or what type of movies you like.
It is not enough to tell them that you are old fashion or that you like modern things. Do a little research on home style and figure out which period had a look that you like. Do you like the functional furniture with clean lines popular in the 1950s, or do you prefer something more ornate?
If there are certain paint colors or rug types you favor, bring pictures to the meeting with you. If there are certain textures you like or want to avoid, you should tell them that as well.
You may have ethical concerns about patronizing certain stores or using certain materials. For example, if you are a vegetarian, you probably do not want a leather sofa. Make sure to let your designer know about these concerns. They want to make you happy, and the more details you can give them, the better job they will do.
Tell Them What You Think
Whether it is a doctor, lawyer, or designer, professional people have a certain air of authority. When you meet with a designer, they will have suggestions to offer. You may feel intimidated by their Knowledgeability and experience. You might be afraid of offending them if you disagree.
Remember that this is your home, and there is no right or wrong. You are the only one whose opinion matters, and you should get what you want. The designer wants you to recommend them to your friends. If you don’t like one of their suggestions, they will get over it.
Designing a home should be fun and exciting. With a little planning and research, your home will be a place you can be proud of.
