You have an idea of what you want your living space to look like, but bringing it together is more challenging than you realized. From coming up with ideas and concepts to pairing the right pieces and remaining on budget, there’s a lot more to interior design than meets the eye. Property owners who don’t have the time, patience, or resources to decorate a room or house decide to hire an interior decorator.
What’s An Interior Decorator?
Commonly confused with an interior designer who is skilled in structural and aesthetic design, an interior decorator is an expert in enhancing the aesthetics, functionality, and comfort of residential or commercial space. Whether you need help with an entire design idea or you need someone with the creative eye to bring your ideas to life, these are the interior decoration experts you want to call.
How Do You Know Which One To Hire?
If you were to do a Google search for interior decorators near you, chances are you’d be routed to several service providers. Since you’ll have to pay for and live with the result, it is vital that you take a few precautions before signing a contract. Below are some steps to make hiring an interior decorator easier.
Define Your Personal Style
Your personal style must be incorporated into your home’s interior design. When coordinating with your decorator, you want to have some ideas of what you’d like to see. Even the smallest plan provides them with the inspiration they need to create a space you’ll be pleased with.
If you’re having a hard time thinking of themes, colors, or concepts for your living space, you can also get ideas from the internet. From social media platforms like Pinterest to online magazines like Better Homes & Gardenshttps://www.bhg.com/rooms/living-room/, there are several sources to draw insights from. As you find things you like, be sure to bookmark the site for future use.
Decide on a Budget
Before getting carried away with home decor ideas, create a budget, determine how much you can afford to pay for an interior decorator. While each service provider is different, you will likely have to pay an hourly or flat rate for the services and the cost of materials. Of course, the best way to pay would be with cash that you have saved up for this particular project. If you’d prefer to pay with a credit card or loan, be sure that you can afford the monthly payments without neglecting other financial obligations.
Education, Professional Credentials, and Experience Check
Now you’re ready to begin narrowing down the interior decorators servicing your area. Don’t overlook the importance of doing your due diligence. Check company websites or social media profiles to learn more about their background. What kind of education did they have? Do they have the necessary credentials to be an interior decorator in your jurisdiction? More importantly, how much experience do they have with home decorating?
Portfolio and Client Reviews
As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. You should never hire an interior decorator blindly. Find out what skills and capabilities have and the quality of their service by checking out portfolios and client reviews. An experienced home decorator is going to have several photos for you to look at and draw inspiration from. They’ll also have a list of clients you can contact to find out more about their satisfaction with the services they received.
Get An Estimate
By now, you’ve likely narrowed your list of options down significantly. A critical factor to remember is the expense. While you may like a particular decorator, if they aren’t willing to give you want at a price you can afford, you’ll need to move on to another expert. To get a general idea of how much it’s going to cost, the interior decorator may ask to schedule an in-house visit to get specific details.
Based on the information you gathered from the above steps, you can now make an informed decision on which interior decorator you’re going to hire. After making your selection, the only thing left to do is schedule an appointment and prepare to see the magic happen as they create a living space you’ll love.