Take your time and choose carefully.
It’s hard to ignore the endless number of renovation horror stories floating around on the Internet and not think that it could potentially happen to you, too.
View this project by Bloc by Bloc
So, choosing a good interior designer will be a very important decision you have to make before beginning your own renovation journey. Here’s how to do it:
1. Check the firm’s credentials and track record
View this project by T&T Design Artisan
Look into how long the interior design firm has been around, the kinds of homes it has worked on, and whether it has experience with projects similar to yours.
A strong track record doesn’t automatically guarantee a smooth renovation, but it can give you a better sense of the firm’s experience and ability to handle the type of project you want.
2. Check reviews
Don’t just take their overall rating at face value, as there have been cases of firms buying fake 5-star reviews. Instead, spend some time reading through the reviews and look for repeated comments about things like communication, workmanship, and timelines.
Keep in mind: one bad review may be an outlier, but a string of them is harder to ignore.
3. Meet more than one interior designer
Meeting multiple interior designers can be tiring and time-consuming, but trust us – it’s worth it.
Not only do different designers have varying ideas for your space and ways of working, speaking to a few also gives you a better sense of who understands your priorities better and gels with you overall. You should aim to meet 3-5 interior designers overall.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, compare what each designer is proposing – like the quotation.
4. Compare quotations
Don’t just pick an interior designer based on a cheaper quote. It’ll help if you look at what each quote actually includes, like the scope of work to materials and dimensions.
Putting the quotations you’ve received side by side can also make vague lines, missing costs, and unusually low prices much easier to spot.
5. Pay attention to how the designer communicates
Good communication is one of the clearest signs of a reliable interior designer.
Look for someone who asks thoughtful questions, gives practical suggestions, and is honest about possible limitations or trade-offs. They should also be responsive and able to keep you updated without requiring you to chase them.
If communication feels vague or inconsistent (or, as the kids say, you’re getting bad vibes), take it as a sign to proceed carefully.
Need help finding a good interior designer?
Shorten the work and let us help you. Simply tell us your renovation needs and budget, and we’ll shortlist up to 5 interior firms, giving you a more manageable pool of IDs to meet and compare!