Hiring an Interior Designer: Questions to Ask and Why the Right Fit Matters

Choosing an interior designer is more than selecting a service provider; it’s forming a partnership that will impact your home for years to come. Unlike other purchases, the outcome of your interior design project will be a reflection of your personal aesthetic and lifestyle. Therefore, it’s essential to invest time in finding the right designer who aligns with your vision and can bring it to life. One of the most effective ways to determine if a designer is a good fit is through a thorough interview process. By asking the right questions, you can gain valuable insights into their experience, design philosophy, and working style. To guide you through this process, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask interior designers during your initial consultations.

Where to Begin: Research and Referrals

Before diving into interviews, it’s important to do your homework. Start by seeking referrals from friends, family, or colleagues who have worked with designers. Browse portfolios and read client testimonials to get a sense of each designer’s style and approach. Once you’ve narrowed your search to a few candidates, you’re ready to dig deeper with an interview.

Interior Design Interview Questions to Find the Right Fit

To ensure you’re making an informed decision, you should ask each potential designer the same questions. This will help you compare their responses, identify areas of expertise, and determine if they’re the right fit for your project. Consider printing out this list or keeping it handy on your phone for reference during your interviews.

1. How did you get into interior design? What are your credentials? Understanding a designer’s background helps you gauge their expertise. Look for formal education in design and professional affiliations, such as CKBD (Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer) or NCIDQ certification, which indicate a commitment to industry standards.

With both NCIDQ and CKBD certifications, Kristen Hennie brings a wealth of expertise and creativity to her interior design work at Ducy Design. Inspired by a lifelong passion and an innate ability to conceptualize spaces, Kristen has followed her dream to create stunning, functional designs that elevate client’s spaces.

2. How would you describe your design philosophy and personal style? Find a designer whose aesthetic aligns with your own. While they should be able to work within various styles, a shared design philosophy can make collaboration smoother. As a bonus, if their personal style resonates with you, the process may feel more natural.

Kristen’s design aesthetic at Ducy Design blends transitional style with traditional antique elements, favoring natural materials and lighter color schemes. She incorporates clean-lined upholstery with details like nailheads and tufting, using neutral tones and textures for larger pieces while adding accent colors through furnishings and decor. Her minimalist approach emphasizes quality craftsmanship for a refined, timeless look.

3. What types of services do you offer? Interior design encompasses a wide range of services, from space planning and project management to furnishings procurement. Ensure the designer offers the services you need, especially if you’re looking for comprehensive support throughout the project.

At Ducy Design, we offer comprehensive interior design services, including interior architecture, interior decorating, and project management. For interior decorating, we provide furniture packages, including upholstery, accessories, and artwork, offering quality products at discounted prices. We also manage projects from start to finish, coordinating with contractors and ensuring your project is completed beautifully, on time, and within budget. Our services cover residential, commercial, and hospitality design, from space planning to custom furniture and lighting design.

4. What is your fee structure? Discussing fees upfront is necessary to avoid surprises later. Ask about their pricing model, whether it’s a flat fee, hourly rate, or a percentage of the project cost, and inquire about additional fees for items like retainers, travel time, or communication. This transparency will help you budget more effectively.

The design investment for Ducy Design services is billed at an hourly rate. For more detailed information on our fee structure or to discuss your project, feel free to reach out to us.

5. How do we determine the construction or furniture budget? Budgeting can be a tricky aspect of any design project. A good designer will work with you to establish a realistic interior design budget that aligns with your goals. They’ll help you prioritize spending, whether it’s on construction, furnishings, or accessories.

At Ducy Design, we establish the construction budget by benchmarking and providing estimates based on our experience with similar completed projects. For furniture, we provide an initial range, followed by a detailed, itemized budget tailored to the approved floor plan, ensuring alignment with the client’s vision and needs.

6. How will you keep me updated on the project? Communication is key in any design project. Find out how frequently your designer plans to check in and how they prefer to communicate. Whether through regular meetings, emails, or texts, ensure their approach aligns with your expectations.

At Ducy Design, we keep clients updated through regular communication and collaboration. We provide weekly updates via email or phone calls, ensuring a 24-hour business day response time on emails. During the design phase, we hold scheduled meetings every two weeks, and throughout the construction process, we conduct walkthroughs to ensure everything is progressing smoothly.

“At the end of the day, a positive client-designer relationship is necessary for successful project outcomes. Given the duration of our projects, sometimes spanning six months to two years, we communicate with clients weekly and build strong relationships. We want our clients to trust us and feel comfortable collaborating in a way that builds mutual trust.”

— Kristen Hennie

7. How do you structure your design schedule and determine realistic construction timelines? Timelines are another critical aspect to discuss. Ask about the typical length of their projects and how they manage delays or unforeseen issues. Understanding their process for setting and adhering to timelines will give you a clearer picture of what to expect.

At Ducy Design, we structure design schedules and construction timelines by leveraging our extensive experience with similar projects. Typically, we are available to start new projects around six weeks after signing an agreement. Based on the size and scope of the project, the design process itself takes anywhere from six weeks to one year before construction documentation is finalized and ready to be handed off to the contractor.

8. Is the designer part of a design-build company or strictly an interior design firm? Some designers work within a design-build company, offering a more integrated approach with in-house contractors and builders. Others collaborate with external teams. Both models have their benefits, so choose the one that best suits your project needs.

Ducy Design is an independent interior design firm that collaborates with various builders, contractors, and architects, offering a fully customized approach to each project. This allows us to cater to client aesthetics, provide realistic allowances, and give our clients access to a wide variety of products without being tied to specific vendors. Unlike design-build companies, which can sometimes set unrealistic expectations, our smaller, dedicated team ensures that we are personally invested in delivering tailored designs.

Finding the Right Fit: A Collaborative Partnership

Beyond the technical aspects, finding a designer you can connect with on a personal level is crucial. Hiring an interior designer is a significant investment in your home and lifestyle. By asking the right questions and focusing on finding the right fit, you can ensure that your project not only meets your expectations but exceeds them. With a trusted and skilled designer by your side, your vision will come to life in a way that reflects your unique style and enhances your everyday living.

Ready to turn your interior design ideas into reality? Contact Ducy Design. Let’s design a space that reflects your personality and brings you joy for years to come.