3 Simple Ways to Know if You’re Ready to Work with an Interior Designer

Now that you’ve read through our budget and timeline planning guide, we hope you feel confident in your understanding of what it takes to develop a design project. If you’re eager to finally hire an interior designer and get to work, this is great news!

But do you know what collaborating with an expert is really like?

We’d never claim that completing a quality design project is an easy feat. If it were, everyone would be doing it. This is where your designer can take the wheel and where you can finally ride shotgun.

Let’s discuss what kind of teammate an interior designer looks for in a client, so you can determine if you’re finally ready to work with one.

As is this case for most things in life, what we want most doesn’t always happen.

In our free downloadable guide, we outline the importance of not restricting your project to a deadline. It’s a good idea to implement a goal date, but this is not the same as a deadline.

The finish line should always be within clear viewing distance, but if a line is drawn in the sand because you already sent out RSVPs for a party to show off your new home, then your renovation is starting off on the wrong foot.

A hard deadline contributes nothing but stress, and this mentality may limit the designer’s ability to maximize the potential of your space as well as your enjoyment of the process.

Expecting your project to be completed in a week, or even a month, is not only unrealistic but will also require extreme compromise on your part. That dining table you really wanted? It could be out of stock for at least three months. If your project were on a deadline, you’d need to select a different piece. But if you were working with a goal date, or a flexible date of completion, you could wait it out for the dining table that is perfect for the space and brings you the most joy.

An interior designer will consider all of the time complexities of your unique project like it’s their passion (because it is). You may not be thinking about where your furniture comes from or how long it will take to arrive, but your interior designer is thinking about those crucial factors, and they know that all good things take time.

Not sure how long your project might take? Schedule an Initial Session with Jackie to dive deep into your priorities and questions, so we can get a better idea of what you’re looking to accomplish!

You’ve heard us say it a thousand times, but what’s one more?

Your design project is an investment!

Investing in your home design project may mean more than simply paying a designer to take the lead on your project and run with it. You’ll need to budget your funds to cover the entirety of the project from start to finish, always anticipating unexpected costs, such as demolition permits or storage for existing furniture.

Be honest with yourself. If you intend to work with an interior designer, they need to know where you stand with the project financially. If you need more time to build your budget for this project, then please take that time. We’ll be here for you when you’re ready to start.

Let us be clear on this, especially. Money tends to be the most common reason problems creep up during a project. We do not want this to be your experience. Refer to our timeline and budget guide for more insight into the economic preparation of your project, and feel free to consult our team with any questions along the way.

The Jackie Barnes team loves dreaming big.

We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the dreams that drive your projects. So, we want you to imagine the space you dream of in its entirety: intricacies, extravagances and all. But can you come back down to Earth when it comes to delegating your dream?

In other words, can you trust our team to do our best to make your vision a reality?

When you hire on an interior designer, it is no longer your responsibility to find the best painters in town or track down that dining table you saved on Pinterest. It’s your designer and their team’s job to do that worrying for you.

Your designer’s main purpose is to offer insight and expertise to your project. If you want a new coach for your space, your designer will present you with the best selections. You won’t need to see all of the different coaches in the world in order to feel at ease (it will only make you feel more overwhelmed). Trust that your designer will show you the selections that will truly work for your space.

Think about it like this:

You’ll have full access to the brakes and gas, but your designer will confidently and competently steer your project to its final destination.

Ask yourself:

1. Can I be truly flexible with my time and expectations so that my project actually reaches the finish line?

2. Do I understand the full scope of cost for a design project? Am I ready to invest my money into my project, including any unexpected costs?

3. Am I willing to hand over the reins to my interior designer, trusting that they have my best interest in mind?

If you answered YES to these questions, then you’re ready to take on an interior designer. Happy dance!

You may need to reconsider hiring a designer if any of the questions above made you hesitate. Maybe you’re not there yet on the trust and want to get to know the designer better. Perhaps you need to focus more on your budget and how long it will take to collect the funds. Or maybe you’re not ready to let go of your expectations for a timeline.

This is all perfectly OK, and we want you to be as ready as possible before working with us. We recommend scheduling a Discovery Call to discuss your expectations, concerns, and hesitations.

Once again, you can download our FREE guide, The Real Truths About Timelines and Budgets, for more insight and advice on planning out the details of your next project, money and time-wise.

Maybe you’re ready, and maybe you’re not. Either way, we are so excited to get to know you and the project of your dreams.