5 Warning Signs You Hired the Wrong Interior Designer

Hiring an interior designer…when it’s good, it’s oh-so-good. Hiring the right interior designer is like driving a Mercedes instead of a Ford. It’s a luxury purchase – surely not for everyone – but it’s an investment that can pay huge dividends in the final outcome, as well as the sheer thrill of being part of a seemingly effortless and excellent process on the way to getting to your gorgeous end result.

But then, there are the horror stories.

We had someone call our design studio recently to ask if the things she was experiencing with her designer were normal. For the record, I don’t believe in criticizing any member of my field, so I instructed my staffer to be very delicate with any remarks made to this caller. But now, with the spirit of upholding the best in my industry and in order to help you find your ideal and best designer in your neck of the woods wherever you live, with gloves off, let me tell you how you will know if you have found the wrong designer.

• Their taste is forced on you.
• They are chronically late for meetings.
• They are ditzy or flighty – details are not their thing, which is regrettable because design projects are nothing but detail.
• They don’t seem to have clear systems or processes.
• You are never presented with a line item budget for your review and approval.

There are so many excellent designers practicing today; colleagues whom I know personally, those who I know only through their beautiful work, and the hordes of truly excellent interior designers who are in practice but who I don’t have the pleasure to know. Your “wonderful” designer is out there.

Learn to ask the right questions BEFORE you hire an interior designer. Be clear on what it is you are looking for in outcome, process, budget and timeline BEFORE you engage a designer. Have honest, open dialogues to ensure a good fit BEFORE you hire someone. Check references and ask tough questions of those references BEFORE you hire your wonderful interior designer. Your perfect fit interior designer is out there.

I politely turn down clients if I feel our company isn’t the right fit for them. As a client, you should do the same. Go find your “wonderful”….I’m here cheering for you as you search.