5 Things You Should Know Before Hiring an Interior Designer
A while ago, a lovely couple approached us to renovate their home. They had a general idea of what they wanted, and during our discovery call, we helped them clarify their vision. This is one of the ways we bring value to our clients even before they hire us.
We were excited about the project, and so were they.
However, somewhere along the way, I realised that we had two very different ideas of what an interior designer does.
In their minds, hiring us was similar to working with an artisan. You tell a carpenter what you want, provide the materials, direct the work, and once the piece is ready, you pay for it. Simple.
But interior design is much more than that.
Behind every beautifully finished space are hours of concept development, problem-solving, lifestyle evaluation, space planning, precise measurements, technical drawings, material sourcing, site supervision, coordination between carpenters, electricians and plumbers, quality checks, and countless decisions made on the client’s behalf to protect their budget and their home.
Having to explain and reassure them repeatedly took an emotional toll on me. Even though they were happy with their home in the end, it wasn’t the experience I wanted for myself as a designer or for my clients.
My goal has always been to make both the experience and the final result beautiful. And that begins with a clear understanding of what an interior designer does right from the start.
I see this with my best clients. They understand our role, recognise the value we bring, respect our process, and trust our expertise. This shared understanding makes the entire experience so much better for everyone involved.
That experience taught me a valuable lesson and helped shape how we work at Joylene Studios today.
If you’re thinking of hiring an interior designer, here are five things I’d love you to know before you begin.
1. Understand the difference between an interior designer and other professionals.
An artisan makes a piece of furniture. A decorator styles a finished room. A vendor sells products, while a contractor carries out building or construction work.
An interior designer, however, looks at the bigger picture. We plan how your space should look, feel and function, taking into account your lifestyle, needs, preferences and budget. We then develop the design and coordinate the various elements required to bring it to life.
Depending on the scope of the project, this can involve everything from space planning and technical drawings to material selection, procurement, site supervision and quality control.
You are not simply paying for furniture or a beautiful room. You are paying for the thinking, planning, expertise and management that bring all the elements together.
Understanding this distinction from the beginning helps you appreciate the value of the service you’re paying for and sets the right expectations for the relationship.
2. Have a realistic budget.
I once worked with a client who had a budget of ₦50 million to remodel a seven-bedroom duplex, including the kitchen, all the bathrooms, the laundry area and the staircases. They also wanted the very best of everything.
I had to walk them through the cost of materials, finishes, labour and the many other things involved in renovating an entire house to their desired standard.
I am not a fan of allowing clients to begin a project with an unrealistic budget, only for them to discover halfway through that they need three times what they initially planned to spend.
Proper budgeting is crucial to the success of any project. It helps determine what is achievable, where to prioritise spending and where adjustments may be necessary.
When your designer understands your budget, they can make informed recommendations and guide decisions that align with your financial capacity and design goals.
Every project is different, which is why a good designer develops a proposal based on the scope and requirements of your project rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all price list.
Be honest about what you can afford, communicate your priorities, and allow your designer to help you understand what is realistically achievable within that budget.
3. Understand the process before you sign.
A good interior design firm should have a clearly defined process for managing projects from start to finish.
Before engaging a designer, ask how they work, what the different stages involve, and what will be expected of you at each stage.
A project without a clear process can quickly become chaotic and disorganised, leading to delays, unnecessary expenses and unpredictable results.
But knowing that a process exists is not enough. You also need to understand it.
I know we are not always in the habit of reading documents thoroughly. Sometimes, we simply pay, sign and move on. Please take the time to read, understand and ask questions before signing anything.
You should know what happens at each stage, when decisions and approvals will be required, and what your responsibilities are as a client.
This helps you set realistic expectations and reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings as the project progresses.
4. Get everything in writing.
Verbal agreements and undocumented changes can become a serious problem when disagreements arise. That is when the familiar “You said this,” “I never said that,” and “That wasn’t what we agreed” conversations begin.
Putting everything in writing protects both you and your designer. It creates a clear reference point for what has been agreed upon and helps everyone remain accountable.
Make sure your agreement covers the scope of work, project timelines, payment stages, responsibilities, and what happens when there are changes to the original plan.
At Joylene Studios, our experience with the couple I mentioned earlier reinforced the importance of this. Today, every client signs a Service Level Agreement (SLA) before work begins.
The agreement ensures that we start each project with a shared understanding of our responsibilities, expectations and terms of engagement.
It is far better to clarify these things before work begins than to try to resolve disagreements halfway through a project.
5. Trust your designer and make decisions on time.
Once you’ve chosen the right designer, allow them to lead the process you hired them to manage.
This doesn’t mean you should be uninvolved or stop asking questions. Your input is important, and your designer needs your feedback and approvals at the appropriate stages.
However, repeatedly changing your mind after decisions have been approved, delaying responses, or bypassing your designer to give instructions directly to artisans can disrupt the process, cause delays and increase costs.
A good working relationship requires trust, communication and timely decision-making from both sides.
Be available when your input is needed, communicate your concerns openly, ask questions when something is unclear, and give your designer the opportunity to do what you hired them to do.
When you have chosen a professional whose expertise you trust, respecting their process makes it easier for them to deliver the best possible outcome for your home.
The Bottom Line
Hiring an interior designer is about much more than paying for a beautiful room. It is a partnership built on trust, communication and a shared understanding of what it takes to bring a vision to life.
When you understand your designer’s role, set a realistic budget, respect the process, put agreements in writing and make decisions on time, you create the conditions for a smoother, more enjoyable project and a result you can truly love.
At Joylene Studios, we want every client to enjoy not just the home we create for them, but also the journey of creating it.
Thinking about transforming your home?
Send us photos of your space on WhatsApp, and let’s start a conversation about your project.