How to talk to interior designers

By Catalogs Editorial Staff

Knowing how to talk to interior designers is integral to project satisfaction

If you have made the decision to redecorate or redesign your home or office, you know the task can be a daunting one. There are a number of things you need to keep in mind once the decision to start the project at all has been made. While some people want to do this all on their own, there is absolutely nothing wrong with going out and getting a professional. If you ask people what is their biggest hangup when it comes to getting someone to decorate their home or office for them, it is that they feel a bit intimidated by someone who is an interior designer.

The fact of the matter is there is no reason to feel remotely intimidated as long as you know how to talk to interior designers. Some people look as these professionals almost as though they are unapproachable and standoffish, thanks in large part to television shows that profit from perpetuating this myth. Fear not, there are a couple of different ways you can talk to interior designers and know that you are going to get exactly what you want.

Realize You Are The Boss

As with any profession, there are going to be some people who are interior designers who are actually going out of their way to be hard to deal with and hard to talk to. These people want to do whatever they want and they want to work how they want to work. Most of the time that desire is born because they feel as though you might not realize what it is they are trying to do until you see the finished product. On a rare occasion these are people who are simply not very likable.

Other times – the mass majority of times – the decorators simply are waiting for you to give them direction if you want them going another way than their plan. These interior designers are professionals who understand that customer service is the first priority, and who have excellent communication skills. Their number one task is to work together with you for your complete satisfaction.

It’s important to always keep in mind these are people you have hired to do a job. They are likely not doing it out of the goodness of their heart. You are paying a pretty penny and that means they are in essence your employee. This doesn’t mean you should go out of your way to be bossy, but it does mean you can lay down the law if they are doing something you don’t like. Don’t be shy to tell them if their style isn’t meshing with yours. You might be surprised how willing they are to shelve what they’re doing and start over.

Have a Plan You Can Lay Out

If you have particular style you want for a room or for an office or even for an entire building, make sure you have spelled out this plan. This is also helpful if the interior decorator is not someone who deals in the style you actually want. There is a chance the person you are looking to hire is not a specialist in the style you are wanting for your home or work. Make sure you talk about this before any money changes hand or work begins. Don’t feel as though you have to pretend like you understand the plan the interior designer has for your space if you actually don’t. This actually is wasting both your time and the designer’s time.

Don’t Be Afraid To Talk Money

When talking to the designer about how they are going to do your space, make sure you lay out what the budget is and what they should under no circumstances surpass. Once again, this can be an area people are uncomfortable, but avoiding the topic altogether can lead to big problems and lots of wasted time.