Choosing an interior designer

There’s more to interior design than redecorating – and there’s more to interior designers than re-using the same ideas again and again.

Choosing the right interior designer for you and for your home, is key to everything running smoothly from beginning to end. It’s not easy though.

A quick Google search for ‘Surrey interior designers” will bring up thousands of Surrey interior designers, so how do you choose one for you?

Here are six tips to help you:

1. Recommendation. Find out if any of your friends have used an interior designer. If they have had a good experience, this is a great place to start.
2. Accreditation and Qualification. Are they a member of the British Institute of Interior Design
3. Pricing. Ask for a clear breakdown of the costs that your interior designer will charge. These may include time, as well as a commission or ‘finder’s fee’ for sourcing items on your behalf.
4. Budget. Is your budget feasible for the interior design work you want carried out? Another important question to ask is how your interior designer will account for their expenditure. A good interior designer will give you regular updates on how the budget is being managed.
5. Styling. Your interior designer has to work on the style that you want in your home; it’s all about seeing eye-to-eye on the final result and understanding your needs.
6. Portfolio. The saying ‘pictures speak louder than words’ is very true. Take a look at the website of any candidates you are considering and take time to look at the pictures and galleries. Note the range of styles used and trust your feelings about who will work with you.