Whether you are thinking of hiring an interior designer or decorator for your home or business, these key questions will help you make the best decision for your project.
Start by writing down everything you love and hate about the space. This can be anything from the big things (e.g. lack of storage) to the smaller things (e.g. the colour of the walls).
1. What is your budget?
It may sound obvious, but creating a budget is one of the most important aspects of any redecorating project. When you start adding up the cost of everything you want in a room, from the sofa to the art to the new floors and all the little details like motorized blinds or console lamps, it quickly becomes apparent that you’re going to need more money than you originally thought.
This is why Architectural Digest recommends creating an all-encompassing wish list, determining a fixed budget and letting your home decorator know this number. They also suggest calculating the price of labor (upholstery, custom window treatments, painting, etc) and weighing the cost of quality against resale value for items such as countertops, flooring and furniture.
Then, take a deep breath and shop around. “Carry your list of must-haves and the budget sheet with you when shopping to avoid impulse buys,” Cunningham says. Plus, don’t be afraid to ask for a quote from contractors before you commit to anything. If you’re getting estimates for hardwood flooring, for example, and the sofa you love requires plumbing — not something that many contractors will include in their quotes unless you specifically request it — you can either downsize the flooring or adjust other parts of your budget accordingly.
2. What is your style?
Your style is the way you like to express yourself. It’s not about being trendy – it’s about being true to yourself. Your home decorator needs to know your style so that they can help you create a cohesive design plan that truly reflects who you are.
Your home decorating style can be anything from Modern to Traditional, and both of these are pictured on the Herts Decorators website. The key is to find the things that you love and build upon those. If you can identify the core elements of your decorating style, it will be easier to narrow down floor plans, paint colors, area rugs and fixtures (after all, silk and velvet won’t go with every decor style).
One common mistake people make when determining their style is using a celebrity’s look to define themselves. The problem with this is that it can be difficult to maintain a look over time. A better idea is to think about the people whose style you admire and what their signature pieces are. It’s the combination of all of these things that make up your personal style.
3. What is your lifestyle?
Your lifestyle is a set of values, attitudes and beliefs that shape the way you live your life. It can include your hobbies, interests and passions, as well as the way you spend your time. Your lifestyle may also be influenced by your religion, culture, philosophy and other factors.
A healthy lifestyle is important for a happy and fulfilling life. It includes good nutrition, regular exercise and sleep and a balance between work and rest. It also involves a positive attitude towards life and a desire to achieve personal goals.
When you meet with your home decorator, it is important to discuss your lifestyle and the impact it has on the work they will do for you. This can help them create a space that is perfect for you and your family.
4. What is your personality?
Personality is the unique pattern of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that distinguish you from other people. It is a result of both biology and environment, and tends to stay fairly consistent throughout your life.
Understanding your personality can help you to understand why certain decor choices may work or not for you. For example, if you are a Dreamer, you will likely be drawn to decor items that are whimsical and creative. However, if you are a conscientious person, you will want to make sure that the design decisions you are making are well planned and executed.
To determine your personality type, write down a list of traits that describe you. You can find lists of personality traits online, or you can ask family and friends to help you come up with descriptive words that describe you. Once you have your list, look for traits that are common in the descriptions of the Big Five personality types. These include openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. If you are open to new experiences, curious, flexible and enjoy learning new things, you are probably a dreamer. If you are organized, detailed oriented and consider the impact of your actions on others, you might be a conscientious person.
5. What is your vision for the space?
Decorators love design and are always looking for inspiration. They are also constantly spotting new ideas for their clients. The more information you can give your decorator about your vision for the space, the better.
It’s important for designers to know what you want from a room before they get started. This will help them create a space that is unique and reflective of your style. It will also save time and money by ensuring that the final product is what you were hoping for.
The question of vision may seem odd, but it is important for your designer to understand what you want from a space. For example, if you are planning on having a TV in the room, then this should be discussed as early on as possible so that they can plan accordingly.
A good decorator will ask you a variety of questions, including what you like and dislike about the space. They will also ask you if there are any specific things that you would like to accomplish with the space (e.g., improve sleep or add a focal point). It’s important to be honest with your decorator as this will help them achieve the results that you are hoping for.
6. How do you want to use the space?
A home is for living, so the way you use a space will be crucial in its design. It’s important to talk to your designer about how you plan on using the room and what sort of functionalities would be best for it, so they can incorporate those into the overall design.
For example, you might want a bench in the entryway to place shoes and backpacks or a place to sit and take off your coat. You could also include wall-mounted hooks, shelving, or open cabinets to store knick-knacks and keep a tidy look.
It’s also important to think about the number of objects you’ll have in the space — too many can start to look cluttered and cramped. Try to have a few bigger pieces, like one large sofa in place of two smaller ones or a big rectangular coffee table rather than a couple side tables. Also, don’t be afraid to go big with your rugs – you want them to help ground and zone the space.
It’s a good idea to also try and find creative ways to hide clutter that may be visible in the room, such as hiding extra throws behind curtains or using String pocket shelves up high above a sofa for paperbacks. And, remember to make the most of your storage spaces — try hanging baskets from ceilings, adding shelves between radiators, or hooking plug-in lamps on shelving systems instead of having them on the floor.
