If you’ve been shopping for items for your home, you know how difficult it can be to make a decision. You’re worried about choosing the “wrong” color of paint. What if the furniture doesn’t fit into the room? And how can you possibly choose from the thousands of tile designs and colors for your new bathroom? The solution to making this process easier is to hire an interior decorator. They can guide you through making the right choices for your needs and budget. But how do you find and hire the right decorator? If you follow the steps below, it will be unlikely that you’ll be unhappy with the decorator you choose.
Finding a Decorator
- One of the easiest ways to find a good decorator is by asking a friend whose home you’ve always admired. Hopefully, your friend will be honest with you about the decorator’s ability to understand their needs and stay within budget.
- Many decorators belong to professional organizations that offer a referral service. Most of us are familiar with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Their website is www.asid.org. However, there are several other organizations that might prove helpful. The Decorators Alliance of North America (DANA) is a relatively new organization offering a nationwide referral service. Another option is the Certified Interior Decorators International (CID). By visiting their website at www.cidinternational.org and clicking on the “find an interior decorator” button, you can locate a decorator who serves your area.
- There’s nothing wrong with using the old-fashioned Yellow Pages. Many decorators advertise in this way, and it won’t cost you anything to call and speak with them. This is a good way to immediately gauge their attitude and approach—something you can’t do with an email.
Try to choose three or four decorators to interview. Most will gladly come to your home and offer a short, complimentary consultation. This gives you the opportunity to meet them and ask some questions. But what questions should you ask? Read on.
Interviewing a Decorator
- When the decorator visits your home, they’ll most likely bring a portfolio of past work. This could be in the form of a photo album, a brochure, or even a laptop linked to their website. Take a look at the photos and ask questions about the job. Was the decorator responsible for everything in the photo, from paint to furniture, or just a particular item? If you notice that all the rooms have the same design style or color, you might want to question the decorator. They could specialize in a style that doesn’t suit your needs. However, a good decorator will help you identify your style and create it, no matter what their specialty is.
- It’s important to ask about fees. Does the decorator charge by the hour? If so, what’s the hourly rate, and how many hours do they expect the job to take? Do they apply a markup to purchases they make for you, or do they pass their savings on to you? Depending on the size of the project, some decorators charge a one-time fee that covers a set number of hours. This arrangement can be useful if you’re looking for someone to create a plan, but you’ll be doing the shopping, painting, furniture arranging, and other aspects of the job yourself. Be sure to inquire about the billing process—whether it’s a monthly bill due at the end of each month or if a deposit is required with the balance due upon completion. The most important thing is to be absolutely clear about what you’re getting for your money. You don’t want any surprises when the bill arrives!
- A responsible decorator will have a list of references. While most of these references will likely be happy clients—after all, who would use a dissatisfied client as a reference?—a phone conversation with past clients can offer insight into how the decorator handled the job. Ask about their punctuality and ability to meet deadlines. Be sure to ask about any subcontractors used, such as painters, plumbers, wallpaper hangers, etc. No matter how friendly, punctual, and neat your decorator may be, if the tradespeople they work with are not, you may be unhappy with the results. Find out how well the decorator listened to and understood the client’s needs. Don’t hesitate to ask about anything that wasn’t satisfactory. Finally, ask if the client would hire the decorator again. If the answer is “no,” ask why. The reason could be something small and insignificant, but it could also be something important.
- While it may seem obvious, make sure to ask the decorator if they have time for you. Sometimes, a professional will take on a job without fully understanding your time frame. Be sure they know when you’d like the job to be completed.
- Don’t overlook the value of common sense or intuition. If you don’t “click” with the decorator, the process of decorating your home may not be pleasant. They’ll be involved in your life for several months, so it’s essential to choose someone with whom you feel comfortable sharing your home.
- As a final step, once you’ve chosen a decorator, it’s a good idea to check with your local Better Business Bureau to ensure there are no complaints or unresolved issues they may be dealing with.
Hiring an interior decorator offers many benefits. You’ll hopefully avoid making costly mistakes. If you choose a paint color you don’t like, you can always repaint. But if you purchase an expensive piece of furniture that doesn’t fit through your front door, you’re stuck—literally. With their knowledge and expertise, a good decorator will help you find just the right armoire for your living room or that perfect blue for your powder room. All of this will result in a home you can enjoy and be proud of for years to come.
