How to Choose an Interior Designer in Encinitas

The summer months are when many people decide to do a complete overhaul on their home’s design. Redecorating your Encinitas home can be a great way to make the space feel brand new and exciting. Many people opt to have a professional interior designer handle the job, but choosing the right one for you and your needs is extremely important, and not always an easy task. I’ve put together a few things to consider when choosing an interior designer in Encinitas.

Qualifications

Making sure your designer is properly certified is one of the most important factors to determine. A certified interior designer will have passed an exam that covers not only the fundamentals of design, but also building codes and project management. Each state handles certification differently. In California, we’re the only state to be governed by a private board that is not appointed by the state. The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) is an independent self-certifying agency that is not held accountable to the state.

What this means is you should be especially thorough when interviewing prospective designers. Make sure they have been certified by the CCIDC, and request to see photos and references from previous clients. A quality interior designer will not only be willing to show off their work, they’ll be eager to show you what they’re capable of.

Budget

Before contacting a designer, determine exactly how much you want to spend on the project. When getting in touch with designers, let them know what you want, and how much you’re willing to spend on it. Being upfront about your budget is important, as many designers only take on jobs of a certain size. Making your cost ceiling known to your designer can also prevent headaches down the road.

Style

One last thing to consider when choosing an interior designer is style. You may have an idea of what you want the finished project to look like, and you want to make sure that your designer is on the same page. Many successful interior designers have a signature style they like to incorporate into their work. If this style doesn’t mesh with your tastes, you’re going to have a bad time. Before hiring a designer, make sure that the work in their portfolio matches the general look and feel of what you are after. Show them things that inspire you, like specific fabrics and patterns. Being upfront about exactly the style you are looking for will help keep the designer on course, and greatly improve your chances of loving the outcome.

By Linda Moore

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