When it comes to home contractors across a number of fields, it can often be difficult to find the right person to tackle the job at hand. This especially holds true for matters of interior design. After all, many interior designers are good salespeople by nature. However, when it comes to achieving your decorative goals, you don’t just want somebody who’s going to paint you a pretty picture with words and then not follow through; you’re going to want someone who takes pride in his work and has something truly special to offer. As the owner and design director of Signature Interiors, Mark Needleman understands that it isn’t always easy to tell a superb interior designer from one who is simply mediocre. He therefore offers the following tips on what constitutes a good interior designer:
Good listening skills
Although an interior designer might try to entice you with his experience and sophisticated sense of style, the best tool that an interior designer actually has at his disposal is his ability to listen. A good interior designer will pay attention to your likes and dislikes and will help you achieve a look that best reflects your taste and suits your lifestyle. Rather than simply impose his preferences onto you, a good interior designer will approach his duties with an open mind and encourage you to think out loud and share your vision. A good interior designer will also realize that when it comes to home décor, his job is to be a facilitator, not a sole decision-maker. Of course, any designer is bound to make suggestions and recommendations throughout the process, but at the end of the day, a top-notch interior designer will deliver what you want, not what he wants.
Focus and organization
Most interior design projects involve multiple steps and layers, so it can often be challenging to keep things on track. A good interior designer will possess the focus and organization necessary to keep tabs on the various details while working towards the eventual big picture.
A keen eye for logistics
One thing that can make an interior designer so valuable is his ability to incorporate both style and functionality into home décor. A good interior designer therefore needs to possess a keen understanding of home life logistics so that he can advise you on how to incorporate practicality into their design schemes. For example, if you have small children in the house, then your designer will need to take that into account when helping you map out your family room and perhaps avoid placing fragile furniture or decorative pieces throughout the area.
Patience
Since interior design on a whole doesn’t tend to be cheap, it’s natural for you to be a little (or very) hesitant throughout the process. A good interior designer will exercise patience throughout the planning and selection phase of your project to ensure that you’re truly comfortable with the options you’ve chosen. A good designer will also take the time to review the various choices that might be available to you, rather than pressure you into making decisions to simply move things along.
Accounting skills
A big part of interior design involves following and maximizing a client’s budget. A good interior designer will be able to work with whatever financial parameters are presented to him. Rather than convince you to stretch your budget, your interior designer should take a realistic approach based on the numbers he’s given and work his hardest to help you make the most of your money.
Persistence
Part of an interior designer’s job is to keep tabs on the various elements of a project that somehow all need to magically fall into place. A good interior designer therefore needs to be determined – and perhaps just a bit pushy – when it comes to following up on the various aspects of home decor. Remember, your interior designer is the person who will serve as your advocate throughout the planning and execution phases of the design process. And whether the matter in question involves expediting the delivery of a furniture piece or orchestrating a favorable deal on a fabric upgrade, your interior designer’s job is to do what it takes to make it happen.
Trustworthiness
One final thing that you’ll want to look for in an interior designer is an honest and trustworthy attitude. A good interior designer will understand that you, as a client, are relying on his expertise and advice to maximize your budget and make the design decisions that will best serve your needs for the long run.
Now that you know what to look for in an interior designer, you should be able to go out there and find the person who can work to turn your decorative dreams into your own personal, customized reality.
