Design Real Talk: How do I Pick an Interior Designer?

Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC
1 day ago
3 min read

Three Tips to Choosing the Right Interior Designer: What Most People Learn the Hard Way

January 2026

Residential (and commercial) interior design requires a very specific set of skills. Learning to peel back the layers and truly get inside a client’s head is at the heart of the job. Taking it a step further means understanding them so deeply that you can anticipate what they’ll need—sometimes before they even know they need it.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed a shift in the types of calls I receive. More often than I’d like, I’m hearing from potential clients who have just worked with a designer and had a bad experience.

Those experiences range from “it just wasn’t the right fit,” to “we didn’t feel they were honest,” to “we spent a significant amount of money and things don't fit properly or feel like us.” One of the most difficult situations involved a client who allowed a designer to take a room down to the studs to install a fireplace and additional architectural details—only for the fireplace to be installed off-center and the construction work to be so poorly executed that ceiling beam covers were literally falling off!

When Design Goes Wrong

Cleaning up another designer’s mess is not easy. It’s also not typically the kind of work that ends up in a portfolio. Because of that, many designers won’t even consider taking on these projects.

I love them.

I see them as an opportunity—not just to fix what went wrong, but to show a client what a good design experience should actually look and feel like. It’s about restoring trust, providing clarity, and ultimately delivering a home or business that they’re proud of and excited to live in.

Which brings me to the question I hear most often after these conversations:

How do you make sure you’re choosing the right interior designer in the first place?

Recommendations Are Worth Their Weight in Gold
Referrals matter—more than people realize.
I understand the desire for your home to feel unique and personal, not like your best friend’s house or the neighbor’s down the street. But choosing a well-recommended designer doesn’t mean your space will lack individuality. In fact, when you choose the right designer, the end result should feel unmistakably yours.
If you don’t have a personal recommendation, that’s okay. When you find a designer you connect with, ask for references—and actually call them. Ask about communication, transparency, problem-solving, and whether the home felt truly finished at the end of the process.
Those conversations are incredibly telling.
First Impressions Matter More Than You Think
When you reviewed a designer’s portfolio, how did it make you feel? Excited? Curious? Inspired?
Now think about your first real interaction. Did you speak directly with the designer, or were you screened by someone else? How did you feel after that call—energized, confused, or quietly unsure?
Remember, you are inviting this person into your most intimate space: your home (or your business). Chemistry matters. You’ll be communicating often, making decisions together, and navigating challenges along the way. You should feel heard, understood, and supported.
That initial conversation isn’t just a consultation—it’s an interview in both directions.
Don’t Choose a Designer Based on Price Alone
This is one of the most common—and costly—mistakes I see.
Interior design is a luxury service. Think of it like commissioning a custom piece of art, except that art is your entire home. Pricing will vary based on experience, expertise, demand, and scope.
That doesn’t mean budget conversations shouldn’t happen—they absolutely should. What does matter is that you fully understand the pricing model, what’s included, and how decisions are made along the way. Transparency here is critical. If you don’t feel comfortable or clear from the beginning, that discomfort rarely disappears mid-project.

A well-designed home doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of experience, communication, and a process built on honesty and trust. Taking the time to choose the right designer can save you money, stress, and disappointment—and more importantly, it can ensure your home feels complete, intentional, and truly reflective of you. When the right fit is there, the difference is undeniable.