5 Questions to Ask a Designer Before Renovation to Avoid Future Problems

Interior design is much more than choosing the right paint color or placing furniture correctly. That's why you need a professional interior designer who can turn your new home into the dream home you will always be proud of.

But how do you know if the person you hire is suitable for this project? To make your job easier, we've selected five questions you should definitely ask your interior designer before signing the contract.

What is your working style?

It's important to lay out your general expectations, plans, and ideas from the beginning so that you don't waste each other's time. You should understand that all interior designers have different working styles. You must ensure the specialist you choose for your home works in the required style and meets your needs and situation.

Some designers prefer not to be responsible for the entire project and decide what suits your home and what doesn't. Others may offer you several options, and you can make the final choice.

Additionally, some designers focus only on designing or decorating sanitary areas, while others are more versatile specialists capable of completing necessary work in any room. Some designers use their own staff (painters, carpenters, etc.) for projects, while others delegate the responsibility of hiring crews to the client.

Design: Irina Bdaytsieva

Can you show examples of similar projects you've done before?

Don't hesitate to find out if your interior designer has worked on projects with similar requirements, budget, or timelines before? After all, you don't redesign your home in such a large scope every day, so you need to ensure you're hiring a specialist who understands what you're looking for and can work within set parameters.

Design: Karina Nedelyay

What is your signature design style?

Most professionals have a distinctive design style that characterizes their work. Some bring an unusual or fun look to the rooms they design, while others mainly work on classical-style projects. For example, if a peaceful lifestyle is important to you, you should choose an interior designer who can incorporate your desire into the project.

Design: Anastasia Chumak

What will the payment schedule be?

While some designers would like half of the sum to be paid as an advance and the rest after project completion, others may prefer hourly billing. Additionally, you will also have to pay them a fixed fee before they begin working on your project. At this stage, you can also find out if your designer offers discounts on furniture or other decor items.

Design: Alexandra Protasova

Can you provide recommendations?

This is an important point, as it allows you to get a clearer picture of the designer you're hiring, especially if you receive recommendations from well-known or familiar people.

Design: Anastasia Struve

Design on the cover: Olga Tsurikova