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Covered all the ground when deciding home interior design? Check again with these questions.
Home interiors are serious business. Before plunging right into them do your homework. Figure out your basic concerns, address them and watch how smooth the entire process becomes.
A trip to the restaurant a few decades ago was different. As rare as eating out was, even rarer was it to find good restaurants to visit. The trip also happened only for special occasions, a good rank in exams for one, a promotion for dad another or a get-together of families occasionally.
Nostalgia is one we never cease to seek. But it also indicates how simpler things were earlier. In the home, design and decor was simpler too. The concept of design was relegated to what kind of furnishings needed to be bought or paintings to be put on the wall. It is unlikely that interior design was ever mentioned or discussed, let alone thought of and implemented. Back in the day, homes were tastefully decorated but interiors were led by a family’s wants and needs, carefully collected curios and heirloom furniture put together to exude an eclectic taste. Professional designers didn’t exist. Understated decor and utilitarian furniture were all it took to conjure up a family haven. In short familiar comfort was sought over unfamiliar eclectics.
Compare that to today, and interior design is literally the most sought after and coveted expertise pursued by homeowners everywhere. Like restaurants that we hunt for serving exotic cuisines, interior design is being understood and absorbed by everyone. As a coming together of science and art, a cohesion of ergonomics and aesthetics driven to conjure form and functionality, interior design elevates a home space significantly. Yet if you’re a novice to this space as a homeowner, you’re not alone. DesignCafe helps you navigate the burning questions often asked in the search for an interior designer. Below are questions to ask an interior designer:
What Should I Consider When Choosing a Designer?
When looking for a restaurant to treat your family, the first thing you do is read up about each place and shortlist a few. Research them online and find out what cuisine they serve. When it comes to designers too, understand the expert, their background and take a look at their professional portfolio. Browse and compare the before and after photos of past projects to get an understanding of their style and approach. Ask them about their aesthetics. Are they comfortable working with contemporary designs or are traditional aesthetics their forte? Check for whether budgets are a benchmark for the designer, that helps screen off some at the beginning itself. Ask questions, seek answers, gauge whether they are open to feedback or will bulldoze your ideas. An interaction with an interior designer will last for a period of time so it’s crucial to search for one aligned with you to make this relationship last.
What Services Can I Expect from My Home Interior Designer?
When looking to eat out, you wouldn’t want to hop across from one restaurant serving starters to another serving mains and the third desserts. It’s impossible, inconvenient and will throw off your taste buds. Therefore expecting an interior designer to stay with you in your home design from start to finish must be a part of this decisive deal. Before execution discuss possible designs and layouts, colour schemes, lighting designs and a likely visual look for your home. As you get to work together, your interior designer will have a say in the products needed, involve you with furniture purchases, window and wall treatment, floor planning and necessary accessories you need to embellish your space with. Discuss the degree of your involvement before work begins. If you’re super hands-on, then your involvement may seem like an intrusion. Alternatively, if you’d like to be completely off the process, discuss accordingly so your designer enjoys autonomy when making these crucial decisions.
Can I Afford an Interior Designer?
Budget is the prime criteria that decides the kind of restaurant you’d want to eat at. This holds true while hiring an interior designer too. Having said this, hiring one should not be seen as a major spend. But no doubt, this is a question you ask a potential interior designer. Home design professionals are experts and can optimize your overall spends and work considerably. Besides they are well connected to architects, manufacturers and suppliers. They also have access to trade discounts on products. Also designing your home by an expert can help avoid major mistakes which can be expensive to repair or restore thereafter.
Is It a Good Idea to Hire an Interior Designer for a Small Home?
As compared to large spaces, small spaces need more inputs and value additions. Just like in a small cafe or bistro where food is niche and eclectic, small home spaces need special attention and a bit more love. An interior designer can offer great value and inspiration towards colour, decor and furnishings; from cleverly placed mirrors, muted lighting, to zoned layouts and clever placement of furniture. As the popular saying goes, small is always beautiful and a little unique.
How do I Select Among the Many Interior Design Styles?
Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the gazillion food choices, the variety of cuisines and options available and didn’t know what to choose? Of course not! This is probably because you decide your cuisine much before you walk into a restaurant and leave the preparation to the chef in charge When doing up your home design, it is best to discuss details with the interior designer who will better assess the nitty grittiest for your home. Meet your designer with an open mind and a raw slate. Don’t restrict your ideas and concepts to a box. Allow yourself to explore and push boundaries. Share your likes and dislikes, visual aesthetics and expectations, and make all this a part of your interior design consultation questionnaire. The more expressive you are, the more you help your designer weave a better aesthetic tailored to your likings.
Check out: Top 10 Questions To Ask An Interior Designer
Think this interior design questionnaire is enough or do you have more to share? If you’ve been through this process of selecting a home interior designer, let us know any queries we may have missed!
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