Tips on Hiring an Interior Designer

I’m also afraid that hiring a designer will cost way more than I want to spend. Hey, I watch Designer’s Challenge, and the budget always seems to be in the tens of thousands of dollars. This is a little job. I’m not buying new furniture, moving walls or installing new cupboards and appliances.

Nevertheless, I need an expert. And, as I discovered once I did a little research, many experts are happy to consult on a job as small as mine. Interior design is a rapidly growing field. Membership in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has increased by 30 percent over the last five years, to nearly 39,000 in 2005. Still, according to an ASID survey, most people would rather do remodeling or redecorating work themselves. Just 12 percent of those surveyed (all with annual incomes of $75,000 or more) had used an interior designer in the past two years.

That means many designers are glad to take on small projects as a way to help consumers understand how valuable interior design services can be. For me, it’s a great way to explore what it’s like to use a designer without spending huge wads of money. "It’s a misconception that you have to have a hefty budget to work with an interior designer," says Barbi Krass, director of design for Colorworks Studio in West Bloomfield, Mich. "If you need to just buy three hours of time, that three hours for $300 may save you thousands in avoiding future mistakes, and you can do the actual work yourself."

I’m ready. Now, where do I find an expert, and what do I need to know to make sure I’m hiring the best? Here’s what I found out.

Next: Designer or Decorator?