On shopping, a true design pro can find extraordinary elements in ordinary places. I often have clients comment that they went to the same place but never saw what I did! This is knowledge and experience. Allow your pro to use their resources, rather than telling them where to shop. If you plan to shop yourself, tell them upfront, and what you are looking for, don’t duplicate efforts. Also, if you are direct about what you plan to spend, you can avoid a pro bringing you items that aren’t a good fit with your budget (if they continue to do this, let them go!) Don’t shop your professional. Shopping your pro is an indication that you don’t trust their judgment and are not using their skills to advantage. If you are uncomfortable and they cannot provide reasonable justification by quality, name brand, or style for the price of a particular piece, perhaps this isn’t the best fit.

Work with them as you would any other professional, with regular hours. Expecting a designer to work nights and weekends because it is convenient for you, indicates that you do not take the design process seriously and are not a committed client. Be reasonable in your expectations, time beyond the regular framework can be charged at a hirer rate.

Expect to be educated by your design professional in the best selections to make, most appropriate pieces to purchase, and how it will all come together. Make lists of your questions and ask when you meet, rather calling daily and late night with questions that can wait. (It is rare to have a design emergency!) If you are more comfortable, keep a list of these questions and the answers received to refer to them, so you can avoid asking the same thing repeatedly.

Once you have made a decision with your design professional on furnishings, fabric, draperies, paint colors etc., avoid checking with others for their opinions and waffling on the commitment made. Commit to the plan. Clients who cannot commit, waste a tremendous amount of time, design fees, and rarely get what they want, but instead a mishmash of their friends and loved ones opinions. Your interior is your own, not your neighbor’s, best friend’s, or mother-in-law’s, make it yours!

With the guidelines here for hiring a design professional, and tips for being a great client, you have the best opportunity for a successful long term relationship with an interior designer/decorator and an inviting, comfortable home, or productive office environment.

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