I recently posted on Instagram and Facebook for people to join my private design group and ask me ANY design-related question to get personalized replies.
As I engaged with people, it struck me how crucial it is for homeowners not only to have a design confidant, but to know what questions they can ask for TRULY extraordinary insights.
This inspired me…so I wanted to delve into this aspect of interior design here…it starts with one question to yourself: why are you working with a professional interior designer in the first place?
Why did you hire a professional interior designer?
The questions you should ask your designer depend on the reason(s) why you hired a designer.
If you did simply because you were feeling overwhelmed, or because you didn’t know where to start, you aren’t alone!!
Looking at it a different way, though, if that’s the case then what you really hired your designer for was:
- To get expert guidance on the functionality of your space
- To get specialized insights on which appliances, finishes, and other selections accomplish what you really want and need
- To get professional ideas to maximize comfort
- To get innovative solutions that address existing pain points
- To get a discerning eye on previous designs to see what was not optimal before
- To elevate the look and feel of your home while achieving the style you’re after
…Which of these reasons resonate the most with you? Which do you feel are the most valuable insights that you, personally, are after when working with an interior designer?
Ask yourself. Know what you’re really looking for. Then, those objectives — and the following questions — will lay the foundation for a VERY successful project!!
25 questions you should ask your interior designer
One final caveat…there are other questions you should ask when fielding the right interior designer, like “how do you approach the design process,” or “can you share and client testimonials or references.” That’s not what we’re unpacking here, though.
Buckle up, because this list is a carefully crafted set of questions that you should ask your designer once your project is underway…
These are the questions you don’t know to ask, but once you do, they help you uncover the REAL scope of possibilities for your environment!!
- What aspects of functionality should I, personally, focus on?
- What are the biggest design challenges I’ll face when trying to accomplish what we’ve talked about?
- What have you seen in recent trends or design technologies that I should consider in my design?
- Of the things I want to accomplish, what’s going to be the most difficult (and why)?
- Of the selections and finishes I’m considering, what would daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning and maintenance look like?
- Are there other innovative solutions I should consider in place of something we’ve discussed?
- Are there any additional areas where I can consider more sustainable solutions in place of something else?
- What are the “must-haves” in my layout, considering how I use the space?
- Where could I integrate smart home technology for the biggest return on enjoyment, based on my lifestyle?
- How will the selections and decisions I’m making about one space’s design going to impact what I can or should do in adjacent rooms later, to maintain a sense of flow and continuity?
- Are there opportunities to repurpose or upcycle existing furniture or materials in my design?
- How can we use lighting design to enhance the architectural features and focal points of my space?
- Where are the best opportunities (i.e., most “bare” or “neutral” spaces) to introduce more unique pieces?
- How can this space invite more relaxation/socialization/productivity?
- How can this design be adapted later to an evolving lifestyle (e.g., after retirement)?
- Are there opportunities to use color psychology principles to make a space evoke a specific emotion or feeling?
- Based on what you know about my personality, how can I inject more of it into the final look of my design?
- Will storage be a problem later (do I have enough, or the right kind of storage)?
- Do you have any examples of recent projects that you think I, personally, would be inspired by?
- Based on what you know about me and the selections I’ve made, how long do you think it will before I tired of this look and want to redesign or refresh the space?
- Are there any innovative opportunities to incorporate more natural light into this space?
- What will share wear and tear first, and what will caring for it, fixing it, or replacing it look like?
- What are the possible challenges you foresee in this design?
- What post-project consultation or visit should I schedule with you to ensure everything still fits the look and functionality I’m after?
- What will the installation process and timeline look like once design is done?
Now, it’s your time to sit back and imagine what answers some of these questions could yield in your next design project…
Creativity, excitement, and a true elevation of everyday life in your home are waiting for you!!
By engaging in meaningful conversations with a professional interior designer you trust, you can unlock a WORLD of possibilities that don’t just match the Pinterest pins you save…better yet, they transform your vision and lifestyle in a meaningful way.
Don’t hesitate to take the first step…learn more about our interior design services, because your return on enjoyment is worth it!!
Thank you, Janet! It’s fun to see what ideas and information these questions tease out.
This is an excellent list of questions for homeowners and designers to consider when working together on any project, Robin!
Thank you, Amy!! It was fun to come up with!
Thank you, Lisa! That’s exactly what it’s about…a fruitful collaboration!!
This is brilliant! I love how you thought this through and came up with so many questions I would not think to ask. Great post!
I appreciate your insights on how a client might direct a more fruitful collaboration with their chosen designer.
What a wonderful list of questions to ask! Thanks for the insights – this is so helpful to anyone working with an interior designer.