5 Things You Need to Know Before Hiring an Interior Designer
So you've decided it's time to bring in a professional to help with your home. Maybe you're planning a full renovation, maybe you're tired of the living room that's never felt right, or maybe you're staring at paint swatches feeling completely overwhelmed. Before you start reaching out to designers, there are a few things that'll make the process smoother, help you find the right fit, and ensure you get the most out of working together. Think of this as your friendly guide to navigating the world of interior design. Here are five things every homeowner should know before hiring an interior designer.
1. Not All Interior Designers Work the Same Way
Something that surprises a lot of people is that interior design isn't a one-size-fits-all service. The industry is incredibly diverse, and designers offer very different levels of involvement depending on what you need and what they specialize in.
Here are the main types of services you'll encounter:
Full-Service Interior Design is the whole package. Your designer handles everything from initial concept to final styling. Think space planning, material selections, contractor coordination, furniture sourcing, project management, installation, the works. If you want someone to take the reins and guide you through the entire process, this is it. It's comprehensive, hands-on, and ideal for major projects or if you simply don't have the time (or desire) to manage all the details yourself. You can read more about this in our What is Full-Service Interior Design blog post.
Design Consultation typically involves one or a few meetings where the designer provides professional guidance, recommendations, and a plan for moving forward. You'll leave with direction and ideas, but you're responsible for executing everything yourself. Think of it as expert advice without the ongoing management.
E-Design or Virtual Design happens entirely online. You'll receive design boards, floor plans, shopping lists, and guidance, but everything is done remotely. No in-person meetings, no hands-on installation. It's a great option if you're comfortable implementing the design yourself and want to save on costs.
Specialty Services might focus on just one aspect of design. Some designers specialize exclusively in kitchens and baths. Others focus on color consultation, space planning, or just furniture selection.
Before you start reaching out to designers, take a moment to think about what you actually need. Are you tackling a major renovation and need someone to manage every detail? Or do you have a pretty clear vision and just need some professional input to pull it all together? Maybe you’re in the middle of a remodel and the never-ending decisions have started to overwhelm you.
TIP: Be honest with yourself about how much you want to be involved. If the idea of sourcing tile, coordinating contractors, and tracking furniture deliveries sounds exhausting, don't hire a consultant and expect them to handle all of that. Make sure the designer's service model matches your expectations.
And when you're interviewing designers, ask directly: "What does your process include? What will I be responsible for?" A good designer will be very clear about where their involvement begins and ends.
2. There's No Standard Way Designers Charge
If you've started researching what interior designers cost, you've probably noticed that pricing is all over the map. That's because there's no universal fee structure in the industry, and honestly, that's not a bad thing. Different pricing models work better for different types of projects, client expectations, and how different firms tackle design.
Here's what you'll typically encounter:
Hourly Rate is exactly what it sounds like. You pay for the designer's time, usually anywhere from $150-$500+ per hour depending on their experience, location, and expertise. This works well for consultations, small projects, or if you just need a few hours of professional guidance.
Flat Fee means the designer quotes one set price for the entire project. This is common for full-service work and drafting permit sets. The designer estimates how much time and effort your project will take and gives you a total number upfront. The benefit? You know exactly what you're spending. No surprises. An important thing to keep in mind: this fee structure usually includes a set number of revisions and meetings. Any extra or last minute changes usually incur a fee for the designer’s additional time and resources spent.
Percentage of Project Cost is when the designer charges a percentage (typically 10 to 30 percent) of your total project budget. You'll see this more often on large-scale renovations or new construction where the scope is significant. It is also popular for full-service projects that are likely to increase in project scope.
Cost-Plus is when your designer purchases furnishings and materials on your behalf and adds a markup (often 20 to 35 percent) to cover their expertise, liability, trade access, and time spent managing logistics (of which there are many). You're getting the benefit of their trade discounts and relationships, and they're compensated for managing all the purchasing and getting the item packaged, shipped, and scheduled to be delivered to you.
Hybrid Models combine a few of these. For example, a designer might charge a flat design fee for the planning phase, then work on a cost-plus basis for furnishings. Or they might bill hourly for consultations but switch to a flat fee if you move forward with full service.
Here's the thing: none of these models is inherently better or worse. What matters is transparency. A good designer will clearly explain how they charge, what's included, and what's not. They'll walk you through their fee structure and make sure you understand what you're paying for.
And it might be tempting to shop around and choose whoever quotes the lowest price. Remember, you're not just paying for someone to pick out pretty things. You're paying for years of expertise, creative problem solving, access to trade resources, and someone who will save you from costly mistakes. A great designer often pays for themselves through the value they bring.
Our advice? Focus less on finding the cheapest option and more on finding someone whose process, expertise, and personality feel like the right fit. Then make sure their pricing works with your budget. If it doesn't, have an honest conversation. Many designers are willing to work within your constraints or suggest a service level that fits what you can invest.
3. The Best Time to Hire a Designer Is Earlier Than You Think
If you're planning any kind of renovation, hire your interior designer before you hire your contractor. Maybe even before you hire your architect. And if you're looking for a furniture refresh, hire a designer before you buy. They'll make sure the sofa fits your space and the fabric works with your lifestyle.
Most people think the sequence goes like this: hire contractor, start demo, then bring in designer to help pick finishes and furniture. But by that point, you've already locked in your layout, missed opportunities for smart details, and limited what's possible.
Here's why bringing a designer in early changes everything:
You'll get accurate construction bids. When you approach contractors with a fully designed, specified project (complete with finish schedules, elevations, and material selections), they can give you precise pricing. No vague allowances that are almost always too low. Just clear, accurate numbers that correspond with actual products and materials.
Your layout will actually work for how you live. Designers think about functionality. We ask questions like: Where do you drop your bags when you walk in? Will this closet actually hold your wardrobe? Do you plan to get a dog in the future? Those aren't afterthoughts. They're fundamental to whether your space works for you now, and later.
You'll avoid expensive change orders. Changing things on paper is very cheap. Changing things after they have already been ordered or construction has started is very expensive.
Everything will be cohesive. When design happens first, your entire home gets planned as a whole. The tile in your mudroom complements the kitchen floor. The living room furnishings flow beautifully into the dining room. Nothing feels like an afterthought.
Even if you already have an architect, an interior designer brings a different expertise to the table. Architects focus on structure, systems, and building codes. Interior designers focus on how you'll actually live in the space. The finishes, the flow, the furniture, the atmosphere. Both matter, and both should be part of the conversation from the beginning.
Bottom line: The earlier you bring in a designer, the smoother your project will go and the better your result will be.
4. You Need to Actually Like Your Designer (Not Just Their Work)
Yes, their work should resonate with you aesthetically but the best designers can adapt their skills to your aesthetic. Here's what's equally important and often overlooked: you need to genuinely like them as a person.
You're going to spend months (maybe a year or more) working closely with this person/team. You'll be making big decisions together. You'll be communicating constantly, sometimes daily. You'll be inviting them into your home, sharing your budget, and trusting them with one of your biggest investments.
If your personalities clash, if communication feels strained, or if you just don't click, it doesn't matter how talented they are. The process will be frustrating for both of you.
Here's what to pay attention to when you meet with designers:
Do they actually listen? In your initial conversation, is the designer asking thoughtful questions and genuinely trying to understand your vision, lifestyle, and priorities? You want someone who's curious about you, not someone who just wants to show you their portfolio.
How do they communicate? Are they clear and straightforward? Do they explain things in language you can understand, or do they talk over your head with industry jargon? Do they respond to emails in a reasonable timeframe?
Do you trust them? This one's a gut check. Do they seem honest and transparent? Do they feel like someone you could comfortably tell "I hate that" or "that's out of my budget"?
Will they push you (in a good way)? The best designers challenge you a little. They'll suggest things you hadn't considered. They'll push you outside your comfort zone to make the space better. But they should do it in a way that feels collaborative and exciting, not controlling or dismissive of your input.
Do they understand your lifestyle? If you have three kids, two dogs, and a busy household, your designer needs to get that. Ask them directly: "How do you approach family-friendly design?"
Our advice: Pay attention to how you feel during your conversation. Do you feel heard? Excited? Confident? Or stressed and talked over? Chemistry matters just as much as credentials.
5. Remember, This is a Partnership
Trust the process. Design takes time. There will be samples to review, decisions to make, and inevitable delays. A good designer will guide you through all of it with patience and expertise. The best projects happen when there's trust, clear communication, and a shared excitement for what you're creating together.
Be upfront about budget. Don't play games or hide your real numbers. A good designer will tell you what's realistic and work within your constraints. But they can't help you if they don't know what they're working with.
Check references before you begin. Don't just look at portfolios. Talk to past clients and ask about their experience. Was the designer responsive? Did the project stay on budget and timeline? Would they hire them again? Real feedback from real clients will tell you a lot and allow you to have more faith that your home will come together as envisioned.
Let's Talk About Your Project
Whether you're planning a major renovation, refreshing a few rooms, or finally tackling that space you've been avoiding, we'd love to help. At Nubuor Designs, we believe the best design is thoughtful, collaborative, and centered around how you actually live.
Ready to get started? Contact us to schedule a consultation.
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