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For a dining room design, Joanne Larman's clients asked for fun colors that flowed well into connecting rooms. To do this they picked up inexpensive sideboards and painted them blue, re-covered living room chairs, and selected new rugs and fun wall colors to compliment their artwork. Courtesy photo.

Here's a quick quiz: Is your home crying out for a makeover, but you're not sure where to begin? Are you building a new home and the thought of specifying colors, furnishings, fixtures, and materials feels overwhelming and way too time-consuming? Did you recently move, only to discover that your existing furniture and accessories don't work in your new home? 

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you're a likely candidate for the services of an interior designer. Once perceived as working exclusively with the ultra-affluent, most interior designers today work with real people who live in everyday homes.

And although some people may balk because they think an interior designer is too expensive, a designer can, in fact, save you money by preventing pricey mistakes. 

A Wise Investment
"Hiring an interior designer is a wise investment when you're thinking about making major changes, or going for a fresh look with new furniture, rugs, color, window treatments, and accessories," says Joanne Larman of JML Casual Home Design in Falmouth, Maine.

"The cost of these changes can be significant, and to have someone you trust bring a vision to the finished space is a small amount of money compared to the cost of doing things over, decorating around something that you don't really love, or being unhappy with the result of your design decisions." You don't have to have an estate-sized budget to hire an interior designer, either.

"I help some clients just pick paint colors," says Julie Fergus, ASID, of American Home Gallery in Wolfeboro Falls, New Hampshire. "Paint isn't a huge expense, but rather than have clients spend money on paint and labor only to still hate the room in the end, I can help them avoid color mistakes from the start."

A professional interior designer can also save time.

"People today are busy," Fergus explains. "Working with a professional designer is a faster way to make good design decisions and get things done versus spinning your wheels. It's like a chef who can quickly and easily prepare an elegant dish because he creates them all the time," she adds. A professional designer has a similar depth and breadth of experience.

Strategies to Find a Designer
So, how do you go about finding an interior designer you can trust with your home?  Both Larman and Fergus agree that word of mouth is best.

"A personal referral is the number one way to go," Fergus advises. For example, if you're visiting a home that you love, ask the homeowner for the designer's name. 

Fergus also notes that the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) offers an online referral service (asid.org) to help you locate ASID-accredited designers in your area. You also can visit show houses and model homes, note the designs you're attracted to, and contact the designer. And ask contractors or architects about designers whose work they admire.  

Check 'em Out,  Discuss Fees
Okay, you've identified some designers. Now what? "Interviews are helpful, especially for large projects," says Larman. "Looking at a designer's portfolio or Web site helps you get an idea of their past work experience. And follow up on references." 

Pricing is also an important consideration. Designers establish their own formulas for how they charge for their services and products. Design fees are for services and can be by the hour, day, or project. Designers may also charge a percentage above their cost for products sold to you, or a percentage off the retail pricing of items (since most retailers and showrooms offer a discount "to the trade").

"Everyone works differently," says Fergus. "So it's important to discuss fees up front and get a proposal in writing that clearly outlines the fee schedule." 


Feel Comfortable
Finding a fit with an interior designer is like dating: your personalities must be compatible, you should enjoy each other's company, and understand each other. And you want to trust that your designer will spend your money wisely.

"Once you feel confident a designer can do the job, make sure they're listening to you and asking you questions about your lifestyle, the ways you plan to use the space. And that they're willing to work within your budget," Larman notes. "You're entrusting a designer with your money and your home," says Fergus.

"This person will be in your personal space, your bedroom, your closets. You'll be spending a lot of time together. Do you feel comfortable enough to sit down and share a cup of coffee or glass of wine with this person? Don't do business with someone you're not comfortable with," she adds.

Still undecided? "I had a client who'd never worked with an interior designer before," Fergus says. "She told me that she had no idea that her home could be so functional and beautiful at the same time, and how different and better it was with professional help. She said it was a real eye-opener."

5 Smart Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Interior Designer
1. Why do I want to hire an interior designer?  Be clear on your reasons for hiring a designer and the specific scope of your project.

2. Do you have a particular style?  A home should reflect its owner's style, not the designer's, advises Anne Cowenhoven of Accent & Design in York, Maine. The best designers figure out the surroundings a client would like to live in, and create those interiors without imposing their own "signature."

3. What are your credentials?  Inquire about a designer's education, training, and professional affiliations. But also consider experience. "I feel the best designers are gifted artists with experience in the field," says Joanne Larman of JML Casual Home Design in Falmouth, Maine. "They're creative, think outside the box, listen well, are good communicators, and are respectful of your preferences, time, and budget."
 
4. How long will this project take, and what's your availability for taking it on within my desired timetable?  Be up front about your wishes and expectations.

5. How much is this going to cost?  Be honest about your budget. A professional designer can assess your needs and help determine where to spend and save. And you don't have to do everything at once.