To create a home that looks like it is out of the pages of a magazine an interior decorator is your best bet. If you have the opportunity to use an interior decorator and you have never worked with one before then you will want to familiarize yourself with their value-add and also some of the potential downside.

 

1. Billing

When your interior decorator charges you retail price, but they get a discount is known as cost plus pricing. The difference in the price becomes the designer’s fee for service. This may work for you, however if the designer has really good connections and gets large discounts then you may be paying them a lot more than if you choose a different fee structure.

 

2. Extra Charges

Be familiar with any extra charges and fees such as mileage, drawings and renderings that a designer may add to your bill. Be sure to ask about all fees in your contract and pay special attention to the fine print.

 

3. Prepare

Bring any magazines with ideas of the style you like and want to show your designer. If you have time picking some paint colour and finishes like flooring tiles or lighting then this will also save you time and ensure you and your designer are on the same page.

 

4. Make Your Home more Marketable

Having a professional interior designer can help you when it comes time to sell your home. Home buyers are enticed by inviting and modern interiors and this can speed up the time of your sale and even help you command a higher sale price.

 

5. Trends Change

Just because you have gotten an interior designer to transform your house does not mean that it will never need to be decorated again. You will need to refresh at some point to bring your home up to date again. Sometimes a designer can come in just to switch parts of a room to make sure your home never falls too far behind current trends.

 

6. Resources available to them

Designers may have access to merchandise not available to the public. This can help you to distinguish your space from other’s homes as it will look unique.

 

7. Contacts

Designers can refer you to other contractors or tradespeople you may need like a plumber or painter. Referrals that you receive from your designed will be highly recommended as there will be existing working relationships and experience.

 

8. Repurposing

Your decorator may be able to repurpose, reupholster or just rearrange some of your existing pieces of furniture or change accessories to help you save some money but just freshen-up or update your home.

 

9. Partnership

Your interior designer can work in tandem with contractors or architects to make sure any renovations or changes you are making structurally to your house will work with your design plans and create a good flow.

 

10. Changes should be in writing

Make sure there is a change order request form that is signed and dated by both you and the designer so that you have a paper trail on any inevitable changes and the subsequent cost.