10 Questions To Ask Before You Hire
The process of hiring an interior designer can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. Each designer works differently, charges differently and has a unique design perspective – so it can feel overwhelming when it comes to choosing between them. But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Here on Long Island where I’m located there is a wonderful pool of talent to work with. Whatever your goals are, however you like to work and whatever your style and investment level may be, you’ll surely be able to find the right designer for you.
The Grunberger Interiors Difference
All of my design services can be tailored to your specific requirements and range from full service interior design to targeted help for smaller projects. I offer in-home visits as well as virtual meetings when the situation calls for it. But what really sets me apart from other designers you may find yourself considering is my appreciation of fabrics and mastery of decorative elements culminating in unique design schemes tailored to your taste and lifestyle.
In my experience, soft furnishings and window treatments are the missing piece in many homes. These finishing touches can take a space from efficient and functional to warm, personal — and, quite frankly, fabulous.
Given our close proximity to New York City, I am a regular at all of the top interior design showrooms. Fabrics are my true love and I have developed rich relationships with the sales teams at all of the best textile showrooms. From Schumacher to Osborne and Little, Houles and Romo, I am constantly adding to my arsenal of fabrics and trims so that I can deliver bespoke selections to each and every one of my clients.
So How Do You Find the Best Interior Designer for You?
Essentially, it all boils down to one thing – finding the right “fit.” Though the interview process can feel a bit like speed dating, asking the right questions early on will allow expectations to be clearly defined. In my experience, trust, shared values, and good personal chemistry are the foundation for a successful working relationship.
A simple internet search of “interior designers near me” is sure to yield a dizzying number of results. To help you narrow the field — and avoid feeling defeated before you even start — I’ve put together a couple of key points you’ll want to take into consideration. These will save you time by helping you zero in on which designers are worth interviewing.
A Sense of Direction: It’s important to do your research ahead of time and figure out what you want. The internet is full of inspiration, which can help you develop a design direction. You can create a Pinterest board, save images to a file, or print images and combine them with photographs and magazine clippings. Don’t worry too much about categorizing them though, the right designer will be able to help you identify themes and styles.
Scope and Budget: Now’s the time to begin thinking about the scope of work — including the spaces you’d like to tackle, what you’d like to accomplish — and your desired investment level. A rough estimate is fine at this stage; the idea is to familiarize yourself with costs so that you interview designers who are familiar working within that range. That being said, price is just one factor to consider. I encourage you to look for a designer who will collaborate with you to realize your vision and execute your dream plans.
Get Digitally Acquainted: When looking for interior designers in your area, be sure that you check out their websites, social media and online reviews. There’s no point contacting someone whose portfolio you don’t like or who has numerous negative reviews. Transparency is also important; I invite you to look at my website to learn about me and how I can service your unique design requirements. You can view my portfolio and read testimonials, which relay my clients’ experiences working with me.
Now that you’ve organized your thoughts and created a list of potential designers, you’re ready to start the interview process. Click here to join my mailing list and download my recommendations for the most important questions to ask before hiring an interior designer.
And if you feel like we might be a good fit, click here to schedule your complimentary consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!