How To Choose The Right Interior Designer

Designing or renovating a home is an exciting journey—one that blends creativity, function, and personal style. But in an area with so many designers to choose from, how do you know how to choose the right interior designer for you and your project? A well-chosen designer will not only enhance your space but also ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible, the design is thoughtfully curated and tailored to your lifestyle. Here’s what to consider when selecting the right designer for you.

1. Define Your Needs and Scope

Before reaching out to designers, clarify what your needs and wants are. Are you looking for a full-service designer that will partner with contractors to oversee every aspect of a ground-up construction or renovation? Do you need someone to come in select and design everything from millwork, wallpaper, drapery, furnishings, and styling? Understanding your scope and expectations will help you find a designer whose services align with your project.

2. Consider your investment level.

Understanding your budget—or investment level, as we prefer to call it—is important when selecting a designer. High-end design involves meticulous planning, quality materials, and expert execution—all of which come with associated costs. After discussing the scope of work, one of the first things a designer will ask is what your investment level is to understand if it aligns with the project’s requirements. A skilled designer will offer insight into how to allocate your investment wisely and set realistic expectations. If there’s a gap between your vision and your investment level, the right designer will let you know, giving you the opportunity to either refine the scope or adjust the budget to accommodate your priorities.

3. Look for a Design Aesthetic That Resonates

Each designer has a distinct approach and aesthetic. While a skilled designer can work within different styles, you’ll want to find one whose past projects feel aligned with your vision. Design projects are deeply personal and tailored to those who live in the space. However, even though each project may be different there are generally common threads that can be seen across an interior designer’s body of work. At Terri Brien Interiors, we dive deep into understanding our client’s aesthetic and lifestyle.  Our work is rooted in timeless, layered, and intentional design—where every detail is carefully considered, blending natural textures, storied finds, and bespoke elements that feel both refined and inviting.

4. Ensure the Right Personality Fit

A design project can last from months to years. Your designer will be your partner throughout the process, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with their personality, communication style and approach. Starting with a discovery call is a great way to get a sense of what it might be like to work with them. The next step is typically an in-person consultation where you walk through the house together. This is yet another opportunity to make sure that you are good fit to work together. A good designer not only listens to your needs but goes beyond the ask and offers solutions and guidance, helping you make confident decisions while ensuring the overall vision remains cohesive and elevated.

5. Consider Their Process & Approach

A well-structured process is key to a smooth project. The best designers will have a defined workflow, from initial consultation to final styling. Ask about their approach to project kick-off (aka programing), design presentations, material sourcing, contractor collaboration and project oversight. Full-service firms like ours handle everything—from architectural review to custom built-in design to the final styling—so that clients feel supported through each phase.

6. Evaluate Their Experience & Approach

Not all designers offer the same level of expertise. Some focus on furnishing and décor, while others, like full-service firms, provide comprehensive design oversight, including space planning, materials selection, and coordination with architects and contractors. Experience in high-end residential projects, knowledge of materials, custom furnishings, and an understanding of construction details are indicators of a designer who can bring a cohesive and elevated vision to life.

7. Review Their Portfolio & Client Testimonials

A designer’s past work speaks volumes. Look at their portfolio to see a breadth of projects and take note of the details—how they layer textures, incorporate lighting, and create harmony between elements. Many designers only showcase a curated selection of their work online, often featuring those that have been professionally photographed or published. If you’re interested in seeing a wider range of their work, don’t hesitate to ask if they have a supplemental portfolio they can share. Additionally, reading client testimonials will give you insight into their communication style, attention to detail, and how they navigate challenges throughout a project.

8. Understand Their Fee Structure

Interior design is an investment, and pricing structures vary. Some designers charge hourly, while others work on flat fee, a percentage-based structure, or a combination of hourly and flat fee. Payments are often broken out into phases coinciding with the phases of the design process. For larger project designers will often require a design retainer which will either be applied to the last phase of the project or in some cases refunded. At Terri Brien Interiors, we provide clear, structured investment guidelines from the very first contact to ensure transparency from the start, helping clients feel informed and confident throughout the process.

9. Schedule a Consultation

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, and thoughtfully considered your investment level book a consultation. This meeting is your opportunity to discuss your goals, your investment level, ask questions about their process, feel out their personality and determine if they’re the right fit for your project.

Final Thoughts on How to Choose the Right Interior Designer

Choosing the right interior designer is about more than aesthetics—it’s about trust, expertise, and a shared vision. When you find the right fit, the design process becomes an enjoyable and inspiring journey, culminating in a home that feels uniquely yours. If you’re still wondering how to choose the right interior designer for your project, head over to our contact page, click on our email link and mention “investment guide” in your e-mail and we will send you the link to our investment guide which talks about our process, fee structure and contains a good, better, best guide to help you start to formulate your investment level.

At Terri Brien Interiors, we believe in crafting homes that are both beautiful and functional—where every detail is thoughtfully considered. If you’re ready to explore how we can bring your vision to life, we’d love to connect. Schedule a consultation today, and let’s start designing your dream home.