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Tips for Working With an Interior Designer or Home Decorator

Hiring an interior designer or decorator doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Following these tips may make the decorating process a smooth one.

Hiring an interior designer or decorator can help provide a new perspective for your space. He or she can expose you to design ideas you may not have even considered before. If you decide to hire an interior designer or decorator, you can take several steps to make the experience a pleasurable one.

Learn the Lingo

Learning some basic interior design terminology can help ease the communication between you and your design professional. When you use the interior design lingo, your design professional may take you more seriously. Rather than spending time going over basic definitions, your designer can spend more time reviewing more crucial and interesting topics.

Although it may not be possible to memorize every single definition, you could learn some basic terms like 'color wheel,' 'swatch,' etc. You could also brush up on some style terms such as neoclassical, Victorian, and art deco. You should focus on the styles, furniture, and details that you're most interested in.

Be Honest

According to Tim Carter of Ask the Builder, if you're not getting along with the decorator or the design approach isn't what you want, you should speak up. Don't be afraid to tell your decorator or designer how you feel because you and your family will have to live in the space. Try to express who you really are, so your designer/decorator can get a true sense of who you are. Getting a sense of you and your loved ones can help as inspiration. However, being honest doesn't involve being a tyrant either. You should work with an interior design professional whom you feel comfortable with, so your relationship can be built on mutual respect.

Be a Listener

Along with being honest, you should also be a good listener. Remember why you hired your interior design professional. You wanted somebody to give you ideas about your space, whether it's how to make it more organized or how to make it more visually appealing. You don't have to take all the advice that is given to you, but you should at least listen to it. If you knew exactly what you wanted to do with the space, you wouldn't have needed to hire a designer or decorator. By being a respectful listener, your designer may be able to guide you toward the look you've always wanted.

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