How to find a Creative and Reliable Interior Designer

Designing the space you live in or work is a big deal. 

Whether you’re to renovating your existing space or building a new one, interior design projects can
quickly become too large to handle alone. Maybe you are not currently live near your designing project,
or you involve too much to allow for full control of design and execution. Or perhaps you just need the
help of a professional interior designer to bring your space together beautifully. 

A good interior designer will listen to your requirements to make your space more personalized with
creative design and provide extra assistance in handling the project’s budget and timeline.

Interior designers can help you save a lot of money with their industry connections, inside information
on the best deals, and manufacturer discounts. A creative interior designer can create professional
layouts and designs that make their value worth their fees.

But before you decide to consult the first interior designer you find, use this checklist to ensure you
choose a creative and reliable interior designer who can deliver a result that you’ll love for years to
come.

Where to find Interior Designers?

The best way is to ask friends, family, or coworkers for a recommendation. Word-of-mouth is still the
most valuable thing to consider for something that involves a huge deal of money and time! 

You can also check in search engines for the best interior design company in and around your area. 

Check their qualification

The first item on your checklist should be a review of the interior designer’s qualification.

• Are they a part of any local or national interior design organizations? 
• Do they have the license or certificate to practice as an interior designer? 
• Have they completed any degree or certification training related to interior designing? This is important to know if you are considering hiring someone who is an “interior designer” — he or she may have good taste, but no education or training in lighting, layout, materials, and more. Research your state or country to find out what training a designer may or may not have.
• Look for testimonials from their previous clients. If possible, try to contact their previous clients to talk about their interior design work in their space.

A professionally educated interior designer will be able to think creatively based on new trends and
your available space to create unique space design. 

Interior Design Portfolio

Next on your checklist should be a close examination of the interior designer’s portfolio. Most people
will do this when inquiring about a designer. But it’s more than just looking at their previous projects.

First, look for a range of different interior design styles they have worked upon. The portfolio may look
beautiful, but will it be special if everything has a similar design? Then you know that your home will
also end up looking like a close copy of all the others rather than a unique one.

Also, look for designs at various budgets. Given an unlimited budget, an interior designer can create
fantastic portfolio images. However, it’s just as important that he or she should be able to finish it
within your interior design budget.

Ask for portfolio images that are within your budget, a few more expensive projects, and a few from a
lower price point to get a sense of what can be done and what cannot be done within your budget. If
you’ve found a creative and reliable interior designer with a varied portfolio that excites you, it’s time
for the final step!

Talk to the Designer

Today, many people work with interior designers who aren’t in the same locality of them or their space.
This is especially true in the case of a vacation home; the owner could be in Singapore, working with a
designer and second home in Woodlands. It’s easy to believe that if you like an interior designer’s
portfolio and background, then that’s all you need to get started — but be cautious!

You should be able to speak to the designer “in-person” whenever possible whether through a phone
call or Skype when you can’t have a face-to-face meeting. Speaking directly to the designer in a
meeting is the only way to ask some specific questions and give in your inputs regarding the project.

Have a few talking points in mind and bring in some photos of spaces that inspire you. Here are some
sample questions to help you tell whether or not you’ll be able to work with the interior designer and
enjoy the collaborative design process.

• Does he/she listen to you carefully and ask questions about your design requirements?
• Does he/she force you to accept a particular design just because it looks good or because there is a real reason to consider the design that includes your floor plan, budget, etc.?
• Can he/she meet your goals within your budget?
• Can he/she adapt to your style, schedule, and other needs?
• Is he/she friendly and easy to contact through phone or email? You’ll be spending a lot of time talking, so you should get along with your designer. Otherwise, you won’t enjoy the process.

If you feel that the interior designer is carefully listening to your ideas and able to adapt to your style,
you’ve found a winner. Your space must reflect your personality and have a unique design which is
only possible if your designer does the earlier said thing.

With these 3 checklist items: a qualification test, analyzing their portfolio, and a face-to-face meeting,
you’ll be able to tell whether or not an interior designer will help you create the perfect space and
make the process enjoyable.

When you’re working with a reliable interior designer, the experience of designing your space and
watching it come to reality is just as thrilling as the moment when you take in the first step into your
space. Use these tips and questions to find a creative and reliable interior designer to give your space
a creative touch! 

Want more help in finding a creative and reliable interior designer for your interior design project? Contact i-Chapter, one of the best interior design firms in Singapore.