Choosing an interior designer is an exciting step in creating a home that feels distinctly yours. Whether you're furnishing a new home, building a new construction home, renovating an existing space, or embarking on a larger transformation, the designer you choose will have a significant impact on both the final result and your experience getting there.
A beautiful portfolio is a great place to start, but finding the right interior designer involves much more than simply liking their aesthetic. You're choosing someone who will interpret your ideas, guide countless decisions, collaborate with architects, contractors and vendors, and help turn a vision into something tangible.
Before choosing an interior designer for your project, here are seven important things to consider.
1. Design Style & Aesthetic Fit
A designer's portfolio is often the first thing that draws you in, but look a little deeper than whether you simply like the spaces you see.
Consider what the portfolio tells you about the designer's point of view. Do their projects feel thoughtful and layered? Does each home have its own personality, or does every project follow the same formula?
Unless you're specifically looking for a signature aesthetic, a strong interior designer should be able to bring a distinct perspective to their work while still creating a home that reflects the people who live there. The goal isn't to recreate someone else's home from a portfolio. It's to find a designer whose sensibility resonates with you and who can interpret your taste in a way that feels personal.
2. Experience & Expertise
Interior design involves much more than selecting beautiful furniture and finishes. Depending on the scope of your project, your designer may be involved in space planning, material selections, custom cabinetry and furnishings, lighting, architectural details, technical drawings, procurement, installation and coordination with other professionals.
Ask about the designer's experience with projects similar in scope to your own. A full-home renovation requires a different level of coordination and technical knowledge than furnishing a few completed rooms.
Relevant experience can also make the process significantly more efficient. An established designer brings knowledge of materials, vendors, trades and potential challenges that can help anticipate decisions and solve problems before they become larger issues.
3. Their Design Process
Great design isn't just about the final reveal. There should be a thoughtful process behind it.
Before hiring an interior designer, ask how they typically take a project from the initial conversation through completion. While every firm works differently, you should have a general understanding of how concepts are developed, when major decisions are made, how designs are presented and approved, and how the project progresses into more detailed development and execution.
A clearly defined process creates structure around what can otherwise become an overwhelming number of decisions. It also helps ensure that you and your designer remain aligned as the project evolves.
You don't need to understand every detail before getting started, but you should feel confident that there is a plan for getting from where you are today to the finished home.
4. Communication & Personality
This one is easy to underestimate.
Depending on the size of your project, you may be working with your interior designer for many months or even longer. You'll be discussing your routines, preferences, priorities, budget and sometimes the inevitable frustrations that come with construction and renovation.
Pay attention to how you feel during your initial conversations. Does the designer listen? Do they ask thoughtful questions? Do you feel comfortable sharing what you like and, equally important, what you don't?
The best designer-client relationships are collaborative. You should feel comfortable expressing your opinions while also trusting your designer enough to let them challenge an idea, introduce something unexpected or steer you toward a solution you may not have considered on your own.
5. Scope of Services & Capabilities
Not all interior design firms provide the same level of service, so it's important to understand exactly what you're hiring someone to do.
Some designers primarily focus on furnishings and decoration, while others offer comprehensive interior design services that may include space planning, finish and fixture selections, custom millwork, detailed drawings, furniture procurement, installation and coordination with architects, contractors and trades.
Consider the level of involvement you want from your designer and compare that with the services they provide.
For more complex projects, having a designer who can think beyond individual selections and consider how all of the elements work together can be especially valuable. From the scale of a piece of furniture to the placement of lighting or the transition between materials, the details are ultimately what make a home feel cohesive.
6. Budget, Fees & Pricing Structure
Budget conversations should happen early.
Interior designers structure their fees in different ways. Depending on the firm and project, this may include hourly design fees, flat or fixed fees, purchasing fees or markups, or a combination of approaches.
Rather than comparing designers based solely on a single rate or percentage, make sure you understand the overall structure and what is included. Ask how design services are billed, how furnishings and materials are purchased, what additional expenses you should anticipate, and how changes to the scope of the project are handled.
It's also helpful to be candid about your overall project budget. A good designer can help you understand whether your expectations and investment are aligned and where it makes sense to prioritize resources.
Transparency on both sides creates a much stronger foundation for the project.
7. Reputation, Referrals & the Right Fit
Finally, do your homework, but remember that choosing an interior designer is ultimately a personal decision.
Look through completed projects, read testimonials and ask for referrals when appropriate. For renovation or construction projects, you may also want to understand the designer's experience collaborating with architects, builders and contractors.
Then consider the bigger picture.
Do you trust their expertise? Are you excited by their ideas? Do you understand their process? Does their communication style work for you? Most importantly, do you feel that they understand what you're trying to create?
The most successful projects come from a combination of creative alignment, clear communication and mutual trust.
Finding the Right Interior Designer for Your Project
Choosing an interior designer isn't simply about finding someone with good taste. It's about finding a creative partner who understands how you want to live and has the experience, resources and perspective to bring that vision to life.
Take the time to review portfolios, understand how different firms work and have meaningful conversations with the designers you're considering. The right fit should leave you feeling both inspired by what's possible and confident in the process ahead.
At Shanna Shryne Design, we believe the best interiors are deeply personal. Our approach combines thoughtful design, creative collaboration and a carefully considered process to create homes that reflect the people who live in them.
Considering an upcoming project? Get in touch with Shanna Shryne Design to tell us more about your space and how we can help bring your vision to life.
