> Home > Choose Colours

You may be intimidated by the thought of hiring an interior designer to help with your home decorating project. You might worry that an interior design professional will take away your creative control or go outside your budget.

Hiring an interior designer is a big decision that should not be taken lightly, and that's why Colours of Maple is here to help you find the perfect designer for your needs. Simply fill out our quick and easy online form below, and we will connect you with one of our trusted interior design partners who will work with you to turn your dreams into reality.

Your other option is to contact friends and family for references to interior designers they’ve used, particularly if you liked the end result. Remember that even if your friend's home isn't to your exact taste, what's most important is that they were happy with the designer's work. The designer you hire will work with you to create your own individual look.

Is the interior designer qualified to take on your project?

Another thing to consider, of course, is education and certifications. Most interior designers combine a love of design with a 4-year accredited degree that includes an education in space planning, furniture history, textiles, lighting design, etc. Many interior designers choose to become certified by The National Council for Interior Design Research (NCIDQ), which boasts the highest certification standards in the interior design industry.

Some questions to ask potential interior designers during the interview process include:

1. Do you have a degree in interior design? If so, was your school accredited by The Council for Interior Design Accreditation?
2. Have you been certified by The National Council for Interior Design Research? If not, why not?
3. Can I see samples of some of your previous work?
4. Do you have any references that I can contact?

Money matters

Of course, you also need to talk money at some point. Find out exactly how they charge – by the hour? on retainer? – so there won’t be any surprises if you choose them.

Keep in mind that you’ll probably have to pay more for high-quality work and a hefty portfolio of previous work experience, but don’t feel pressured to go far beyond your budget for an interior designer. Shop around to see if someone else can give you the look you want while staying in your price range. All designers have to start somewhere, and you might be able to find an up-an-coming interior designer who will be eager to meet your needs at a price you can afford. Chances are that the right interior designer for your needs is out there if you just take the time to look.

Getting started

Once you make your decision on the right interior designer for your project, your next step will be to get the project details, including the cost estimate and the interior designer’s full contact information, in writing. Make sure the contract discusses the scope of the job so you know what is and isn’t included in the price estimate.

Once it’s time to jump into your project, save your interior designer some time (and yourself some money) by doing research ahead of time to get an idea of what you want. Look through magazines or online photo galleries to get a feel for what you like – and don’t like. Print or cut out as many pictures as you can, and don’t be afraid to mix and match. Love that paint colour but hate the trim? Make a note of it, and pass all notes along to your interior designer.

You should also take detailed notes on how you use each room the designer will be working on. It’s not enough to say, “Here’s our master bedroom;” you should get specific about whether the bedroom is used for reading, work on your laptop, TV time, etc. That way the interior designer can better select the right paint colours and accents to help you get the most out of your living space.

For a referral to one of Colours of Maple’s trusted designers, please fill in the form below and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.