Whether it’s a new home, office space or refreshing your current home, making any space your own and unique requires a lot of thought, time and careful consideration. By understanding the expertise of an interior designer, you can start to see how valuable they can be to your overall project. When you’re looking for an interior designer in Denver, Kate Hartman Interiors should be your first call.

How to Find an Interior Designer in My Area

Beginning the search for an interior designer in Denver is a task that should not be taken lightly. After all, you will be spending a lot of time and money with this person or firm, so you want to take your time. There are a lot of options out there, and the search can appear overwhelming at first. Use this guide with Kate Hartman Interiors to help you through your search.

Start With Local Research

As with anything, you can start with a simple Google search of “interior designers in Denver, Colorado.” But, this can yield lots of results and a very wide net. To guide your search more, also consider the following:

Ask Family And Friends: word-of-mouth referrals from neighbors, co-workers, family and friends can be an excellent way to learn more about interior designers in Denver. If this is for a home you’ve recently purchased, your real estate agent may also be another good tool for a referral. Once you’ve gotten a good list going, most interior designers are happy to supply a list of references and past clients as well.
Check Out Websites: this will include photos of their past work so you can see their design style. Most interior designers will also have social media channels where you can take a look at projects currently in progress.
Contact Local Professional Organizations: the Interior Design Society and the American Society for Interior Designers are two national organizations that some interior designers may choose to join to signify their dedication to their craft. Your local Home Builders Association is another good resource to vet for an interior designer.
Check Out Your Favorite Websites: if you’ve been considering an interior makeover for some time, you’ve likely already spent time on popular sites like Houzz which can be an excellent resource for local designers.

Openly Discuss Budgets and Fees

Before you get too excited and in the weeds, it’s important to set a budget and be honest with your designer about what you can realistically afford. However, it’s also important to take the designer’s fees into account in your final calculations.

Each interior designer in Denver may have a different structure for their fees, and it may vary depending on the type of project and scope of work. For example, if you will be using your own existing furniture and accessories, the designer may choose to charge a flat rate, hourly rate or by room. If you are sourcing the designer to find new furniture, you can expect to pay at least a little upfront, as well as a markup for the designer’s time.

Read through the entire contract and ask lots of questions to ensure you understand what you are agreeing to pay for. An experienced designer will be able to answer them and make sure you are comfortable before proceeding.

Conduct Interviews

Once you have the names of a few interior designers in Denver, it’s time to start interviews. After all, they will be doing a job for you, so professional interviews are to be expected. In your interview, not only will you get a sense of the designer’s experience, expertise, and method, but you’ll also get to know their personality to see if you two are a match.

Interior designers love it when clients come to interviews prepared, so come with lots of questions! It shows that you are invested and curious and lets them determine if your personalities match. Here are some sample questions:

What credentials or special certifications do you have?
How would you describe your personal style?
Where do you find design inspiration?
When working with a specific budget, how do you prioritize and make decisions?
How will we communicate throughout the project?
Who are some local contractors and partners you use?

Other Factors to Consider

Getting into the nuts and bolts of design, here are other factors to help you narrow down your search for interior designers in Denver:

Design Philosophy: this refers to the bigger picture or overarching themes that may guide a designer’s vision and process. You can also get a feel for their design philosophy from the “About Me” page on the designer’s website or through social media posts.
Style: often used interchangeably with design, style refers to how an interior designer chooses to express their vision. It may be worth taking some time to consider your own personal style before meeting with a designer. A simple mood board on Pinterest or some magazine cutouts will give them an idea of your personal style.

Specializations: if you are looking for a designer for a kitchen remodel, you don’t want to choose a designer who specializes in bathrooms. While most designers to cross into multiple areas, with some larger firms there may be different contacts depending on your scope of work or project

Kate Hartman Interiors: Your Denver, Colorado Interior Designer

When you are ready to begin your interior design project in Denver, Colorado, the experts at Kate Hartman Interiors are ready to help. Our full-service design firm offers an array of services to complete your next project. Get started on our website today.