Find Interior Designers near you

Your expert Interior Designer will be able to advise you on the full range of services available and will be able to help you select the best services for your home. They will also be able to answer any questions you may have. Use Bark to get free quotes and find a professional Interior Designer today.

Firstly, it is important to have an idea of what you like and don’t like. This is a really useful starting point for what styles will work for you which will be used by the Interior Designer to formulate some suitable concepts.

There are a number of ways which will help you decide your favourite styles such as:

• Magazines – It is a good idea to browse through interior design magazines such as Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Galerie Magazine and Veranda.

• Social media – Have a look at their social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest which will give you a good idea of their style and moreover will showcase their portfolios.

• Local media – Take a look at their websites and see if you can find any local press coverage on any projects they have undertaken.

• Visits – Try and visit art galleries, antique shops or fashion boutiques to get a sense of what styles you like.

Personality fit - You want to make sure there is a good personality fit with your Interior Designer. Projects can go on for months or even years.

Client involvement - Some designers prefer consulting with a client every step of the process whereas others prefer full creative control so you want to know ahead of time what to expect. As a client, you should know how you like to work and how much involvement you expect from the start.

Inspiration - If you ask questions about their favourite projects you can get a peek into how he or she navigates the creative process.

Communication - Ask detailed questions about the firm’s strengths and weaknesses which will help you determine whether or not it is the right match for your project and timeline.

Project management style - Be sure to ask your designer how they will communicate their vision in a way that you can easily digest. Some Interior Designers manage the entire process from the design phase, through the procurement phase and the final installation. Every designer handles project management differently so it is important to have a firm and clear grasp of how your designer’s process works.

Design risks – Sometimes the initial design presentation may not be what you are looking for. The key is to be open-minded, prepare yourself for some design risks and be honest with how you are feeling. The designs should speak to you as you will have to live with them.

Past clients - It is a good idea to ask about previous projects to understand how crises are dealt with and how the designer has factored in preventative measures.

Budget - It is important to talk about budgets beforehand rather than in the middle of a project which can make a world of difference in terms of avoiding unnecessary conflict. It is worth getting a few quotations from different Interior Designers before deciding on a specific style.

You should look for a degree, foundation degree or HND in relevant subjects such as architecture, fine art, furniture design, interior and spatial design, interior architecture, textile design and 3D design.

Before you choose an Interior Designer, you could ask to see examples of their work, read testimonials and view before and after pictures of rooms and homes they have designed.

You could also look at their profile page on Bark and check out reviews from past customers too as well as examples of work that they have completed. This might also help you get some ideas for the types of design you need.

Interior designers cover a number of different aspects. They prepare detailed plans for the space showing the colour scheme, materials, lighting and soft furnishings they recommend. They also provide clients with detailed drawings, mood boards and scale models if required. Some designers will create interactive digital presentations to show you their designs. They will also show you samples of the materials that they recommend for your home.

Yes, you can. An online interior designer will ask you questions about your budget and preferences, and then they will design a 'virtual' room, filling it with real furniture you can purchase - pretty neat stuff!