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Prepare your Interior Designer by Preparing Yourself
08/26/2008 If you are not an interior designer, but want to add a little personality to your house, you may want to consider the following before hiring a professional designer…
To start, you want to have a pretty good idea of what you are working with in your house already. Here are some things to consider:
1. What is your overall style?
2. Do you prefer certain patterns over others or have a favorite color?
3. Do you entertain guests?
4. What is each room’s purpose supposed to be?
5. How much space is allotted for hobbies? Ex. Sewing, exercising, reading, movie night, etc…
6. What do you have already that you want to keep or jazz up?
7. Do you have any good start pieces? Furniture, fabric, art, accessories, etc…?
8. What is your budget?
Designers can take the answers to these questions and get down to the bottom of what you want, what you don’t want, what you prefer, and how much to spend without breaking the bank.
The next thing you want to do is to take some action:
1. Put together some cut-outs, paint chips, pictures, and anything else you want to keep in mind while decorating.
2. Measure and make sketches for each room. Create floor plans if possible.
3. Assess your current possessions. Make a list of what you want to keep/sell/throw away.
4. Figure out and write down what you can and can’t afford. Stick to your budget.
5. Create a plan on what you want to start with.
Professionals don’t want to do all the work and then realize it was not what you had in mind. By adding visual aids and being specific, it will make the process smoother and quicker.
Finally, remember to look at the big picture!
What size are the rooms you want to design?
1. You want to use large furniture; high backed couches, tall shelving, bookcases, etc… for large rooms- don’t over do it though, just because you have more room, does not mean you have to use it all.
2. You want to use small, conducive furniture and things you may be able to fold up or store away for small rooms- and definitely avoid dark colors, as to not close yourself in more.
Can you keep your old items if you dress them up a bit?
1. Use throws and slip covers on old couches
2. Use old, saved fabric to hang or make into new curtains
3. Use old art or pictures to make a collage to frame and hang
4. Use an area rug or some throw rugs to cover old or stained carpet
Keep in mind that you want your house to feel warm and lively. You may want to add plants, candles, and accessories that speak to your style and really personalize who is living there.
Start with these tips to help your interior designer get started and grasp the concept you want for your house. You can always change things around or make them better with time!
Good luck!
If you would like to add to this article, please contact us at info@qualifiedinteriordesigners.com.
Created by CMDS