How to Choose A Virtual Interior Design Consultant for Your Home
Art: Francine Turk Photo: Vibe Tribe Creative
Working with a talented and professional interior designer is a fun and rewarding process. If you’ve moved into a new home or you’re eager to give your home a fresh start, hiring a residential interior design firm can cut through endless and often confusing decisions along the way, saving you time and money. Today, virtual interior design and online interior design services have become more popular and accessible due to improvements in technology, design tools, availability of online goods and shopping lists and increased demand for beautiful spaces, no matter the style or budget. Gone are the days when big-box retail stores were the only option. There are endless and wonderful options online and available through the e-interior design trade giving online interior design shoppers access to interesting, curated and designer goods.
Before you make your shopping list and purchase the goods, however, you’ll want to choose an interior design consultant—someone who will define your style, evaluate your lifestyle and deliver a one-of-a-kind final design that you’ll love for years to come. Investing the time in choosing an interior design consultant is an investment in yourself! Here are five tips for choosing an interior design consultant:
define the scope of your residential interior design project
Do you want a partial room design or a whole room? Bathroom, kitchen, office or basement remodeling? Or maybe you’re looking at a whole home remodeling project! The scope of your interior design project will determine whether virtual interior design is right for you. By and large, working with an online interior design consultant is best for smaller-scale interior design projects, as the larger ones tend to require in-person design consulting and the involvement of multiple vendors.
do your research on different online interior design services
You’ll find several interior designers and decorators that offer inexpensive residential design services as long as you purchase products through them. With these designer resources, you’ll likely get paired with inexperienced designers who are “cutting their teeth,” and the outcomes can be hit-or-miss. In some cases you can select, at higher rates, to work with a designer that is more experienced. You could also search for interior designers in your geographic location to find options. (MOOD is a Chicago interior design and build firm, so if you’re local, reach out to us)!
Many of these designers and interior design consultants work with the same design tools and software capabilities and would love to offer virtual interior design consultations, plus you have the option of an in-home consultation if desired.
get home interior design ideas on social media (and create a pinterest board!)
Google, Pinterest and Instagram are the best places to go for an endless library of interior design inspiration. Simply search a room with an adjective to find hundreds of pictures. For example: “modern living room,” “urban outdoor spaces,” “gray kitchen,” etc. Look for room designs that fit your personal style. Take screenshots of the rooms that appeal to you and start an album to share with your interior designer. Another great option is to start a Pinterest board with room designs and decor that you like. This is a vital tool for your designer to get a real sense of what your style preferences are, and will lead to a satisfying final design.
define your personal style
This is an interesting thing to think about but it’s really, really important when selecting an interior design consultant to work with. Are you the type of person who…
Needs to bring others into the decision-making process
Analyzes options and takes time to make decisions
Makes decisions quickly and resolutely, usually on your own
Is concerned about what is cool, hip and if your friends will love it
You’ll have a much more enjoyable experience with the design process if you’re paired with an interior decorator or designer who is more like you since they will often unconsciously “get” where you’re coming from. They should also be able to adapt their online interior design services to your needs.
talk to 3 different interior design consultants (and get to know their design process)
Once you’ve done your homework, you’re ready to interview a few interior design consultants and make your selection. Ask to see design projects they have worked on. Interview them to get a better idea of their design process and how they work with their clients. If you’re looking to design a home office, you might ask to see examples of their office interior design work. If you don’t understand a part of their fee structure for their design services or how they purchase goods, ask them questions! Designers who are worth working with are transparent, available to answer any and all questions and to serve you. They can work with your style and budget, adapt their design process to you and add tremendous value to your experience and home!
Lastly, trust your instincts and don’t overthink it! By following these simple guidelines and your desire for beautiful surroundings that reflect you, your ideal virtual interior design consultant will be drawn to you and eager to partner with you for one or multiple interior design projects. Hopefully, this is a relationship you’ll grow and nurture for years (and homes) to come.
Give yourself the gift of interior design. You deserve it!