How Do I Work With An Interior Designer?

Since we've covered the long list of what to expect and not to expect from your interior designer, here comes the next part - what your role is and how to work with an interior designer to make life easier for the both of you! Working with others is sometimes tough, but it's always an experience. However, it's always challenging and intimidating to hire someone to work on something close to you.

To ease your worries and problems, we've come up with a few easy yet important tips to keep in mind when working with an interior designer for the very first time.

1. Be Realistic (With An Open Mind!) It's important to be realistic in terms of design and budget. Sometimes, designers are frank and blunt to tell you what your budget can achieve, and trust us, they aren't lying to you. Due to TV and media shows on interior design, most times you can find yourself watching an ID show where the designer is able to complete an entire house for under $20,000 and only within 2 months!

TV shows are just at it is - 'shows'. You can't expect your designer to be able to do the same as what you saw on TV, it's sometimes not realistic. But then again, every project and house is different and the best way to avoid any dispute is to get your points straight on the design you want and what your budget is. Don't be afraid to voice out your opinions!

Additionally, as much as we preach how important it is to find a designer that fits your style - let's be honest, there isn't someone 100% compatible with how you think. Your designer might pick or show you some designs or furniture you don't love in the first place, but don't be so quick to say no. Take into consideration and discuss with them why they picked the piece, and maybe you'd appreciate it in the end.

Another thing worth mentioning is, do your research before hiring an interior designer. You've got to understand what your interior designer will cover and do for you, instead of expecting endlessly from them. Interior designers work with their own carpenters, contractors and what not, so it's easier and only right for them to supervise their own subcontractors. It's going to be a difficult process for your designer if you decide to use your own carpenters as they aren't used to working with them.

2. Communicate and Be Decisive We're being super repetitive here - you've probably already heard this a thousand times. But it's true, true, and true! No matter how many times we say it, communication is definitely key. The key to harmony between you and your designer is being 'decisive' and not being 'picky'! Being decisive and firm can help make your designer's job easier.

That being said, if you have something you're unsatisfied with or not exactly sure of, it's best to tell your designer the earliest as possible. The earlier you tell them, the faster they can patch it up. Particularly, anything that involves the structure or basics of a home should be decided quickly and firmly - don't be indecisive and make changes at the very end, it's going to cost you time and money! It's one thing to move the door from left to right, but it's another thing to move it after it's installed. Plus, changing decisions after purchases are made can be a troublesome thing.

3. Plan Your Budget Wisely Work with your designer and clarify from the very beginning what your budget is, and discuss with your designer what you'll be charged for and how the charges apply. Besides charges for the furniture, you'll have to discuss in detail for the designs, site visits, workmanship, carpentry and much more!

Moreover, there's also charges for different materials, custom furnishings and much more. To plan wisely, you'll have to go in-depth with your designer and let them know what they can do with your budget or what price you have in mind. It's good to get opinions from others but don't be clouded by too many opinions from friends or family that hiring a designer is going to cost you a fortune!

Don't be reluctant to talk about your budget, whether how big or how small you think it is! Or don't be the super paranoid type thinking your designer are literal 'throat cutters' waiting to pocket your budget. Trust your designer and their professionalism, and work with them to discuss in detail on your budget prices breakdown.

When people think of an interior designer, they think of the basics and what comes to mind first: a person that's going to design their home or office for them, aesthetically. But in reality, there's so much more to consider beyond the eye.

该如何与室内设计师合作呢？

在上一篇文章我们已经涵盖了该对室内设计师给予什么期望，这星期我们将会为您解释，在室内设计的过程中，您该扮演什么角色以及如何与设计师合作，以使双方合作起来更加轻松！ 与他人合作有时会很艰难和充满挑战，但这终究是一个很好的体验。

为了确保您与室内设计师合作时无后顾之忧，我们在此提出了与设计师首次合作需牢记的简单而重要的提示。

1.求实（思想开通）

在设计和预算方面要切合实际，这一点很重要。 有时，设计师会坦率而直截了当地告诉您以您的预算可以做些什么，相信我们，他们不是在骗您。 很多电视上的ID秀，设计师都说可以在2个月内以不到20,000美元的价格完成整栋房屋的建造。您必须清楚知道，电视节目，它只是个“节目”。 您不能指望设计师能够做到与在电视上看到的一样的效果，这未免有点不切实际。每个项目和房屋都各不相同，而避免任何争议的最佳方法是让您的观点直接指向所需的设计和预算。此外，您也不要害怕表达您的意见，要好好地与设计师沟通沟通。

除此之外，尽管我们一直说找到适合自己风格的设计师是多么重要，可是坦白讲，没有人能100％兼容您的想法。 您的设计师在一开始时可能会挑选或展示一些您不喜欢的设计或家具，但不要那么快就说“不”。 慎重考虑并与他们讨论为什么他们选择了这件作品，也许您最终会喜欢它呢。

值得一提的另一件事是，请在聘请室内设计师之前做些调查研究。 您必须了解室内设计师将为您做些什么，而不是无休止的期待他们能为您做这个做那个。 设计师通常会与自己的木匠和承包商合作，因为这样会比较容易进行监督。 如果您决定使用自己的木匠，设计师或许会因为不习惯与他们合作而造成了困难。

2. 沟通及果断

我们在这里重复了重复，重复了又重复。即使您可能已经听过一千遍了，但这是对的，对的，对的！ 无论我们说多少次，沟通绝对是关键！ 您与设计师之间和谐的关键是“果断”而不是“挑剔”！ 果断而坚定的态度可以帮助简化设计师的工作。

话虽如此，如果您对某些决定不满意或不确定，最好尽快告诉您的设计师。 越早告诉他们，他们能进行修补的工作就越快。 特别是当涉及房屋结构或基础的事物，都应快速而坚定地做出决定，切记勿犹豫不决并在最后阶段进行更改，这将会浪费您的时间和金钱！ 试想想，把门从左向右移动是很容易的，可是如果是在安装好一切后要更改门的安装位置和进行拆除工作，那该是多么耗费人力物力的一回事呀。 另外，在购买货品（如家私）后更改决定也是一件非常麻烦的事。

3. 明智地计划预算

您从一开始就必须让设计师清楚知道您的预算，并要求设计师给您知道他们将如何向您收取费用。除了家具费用外，您还必须详细讨论设计，实地考察，人工，木工等方面的费用。

而且，对于不同的材料，定制的家具等，还需要另外收费。 为了进行明智的计划，您必须与设计师深入交流，并让他们知道他们可以根据您的预算做些什么。

无论您的预算是大还是小，都不要抗拒去跟您的设计师讨论！不要觉得您的设计师是名副其实的“大白鲨”，您必须相信他们的专业，并与他们合作详细讨论您的预算价格明细。

实际上，室内设计师不只是一个为您设计的房屋或办公室的人，他们还有很多事情值得我们去思考，去看透的。