FAQ – Most Common Interior Design Questions I get as a Professional

Ok, so I want to cover my answers to the most common interior design questions I get from clients. Mostly because you may be someone who is seeking these answers from an interior design professional, so my answers may be helpful. The questions I get range from advice on decorating to the interior design industry in general. I am going to cover the most common questions I get with as much clarity as I can.

Most common interior design question no. 1

What is trending right now in interior design, and how can I make my place trendy…but not go out of style?

I’ve noticed that plenty of my clients are super concerned with what is trending and want to make sure their place looks trendy. Now, of course, I keep up with the interior design trends. I even write blog posts about the trends; Read The Top Interior Design Trends In 2023. But, this doesn’t mean I necessarily care to infuse every client’s space with super trendy items. Instead, I encourage every client to get in touch with their personal interior design style. Read What Is My Home Decor Style?

The thing is, trends come and go and can often date your space in the future. If you decorate your space intending to love the space today, tomorrow and in the future, you need to get firm with what you like and don’t like.

If a client is super concerned with being trendy, I suggest that we infuse the space with a few trendy things that are easily swappable. So, I’ll bring in some trendy accessories to meet the mark of being on trend. But, I always aim to create a timeless interior. Read How To Create A Timeless Interior That Never Goes Out Of Style.

Most common interior design question no. 2

How do interior designers charge?

This is probably the most juicy question out of all the most common interior design questions.

Well, this is a complex question because different interior designers and interior design professionals charge differently. To truly understand how interior designers charge, you will have to interview a few different interior designers.

But, I will break it down for you from my knowledge and presence in the industry. Keep in mind that this answer is a very simple approach to the question. As there are many nuances to how and why interior designers charge the way they do. However, this should give you an idea of the different approaches that different designs take to charge.

Different ways designers charge…

Some interior designers charge by the hour, the hourly cost will depend on the designer, of course. I would say to expect anywhere from $130-$300 an hour. Usually, interior designers who charge by the hour will give you an approximation of how many hours your project will take to complete.

Some interior designers charge by square footage. It is a simple formula for calculating the square footage of the space(s) in question and charging a certain amount. This cost could be between $7-$25 per sq ft.  

Some interior designers charge based on room. They might have a set cost for each room, so what they charge for living rooms might be the same or different from what they charge for bedrooms, kitchens etc. This is a less popular method. So I don’t have any sources to pull from, but I have come across some designers who have mentioned this method to me.

Some interior designers are not as upfront with how they charge. Instead, they will take all the information about your project and propose a set amount to be agreed upon. 

These are the main ways most interior design professionals charge. As I said, to get some concrete answers, you will have to speak with multiple interior designers and let them know what type of services you are looking for. 

Most common interior design question no. 3

How can I save money on furniture and decor purchases?

Sooo, when it comes to furniture and decor, as we know, things are expensive. Even as a designer, I get pretty shocked to see the price point of some items. Naturally, people want a good deal and good bang for their buck. There are certainly ways to save money on furniture and decor. I will give you some tips below.

Determine what pieces are important and what pieces are not so important. 

When it comes to furniture, there are some pieces that I think are important to spend a little more on to ensure the quality. Like, your couch. I never encourage my clients to go cheap on their couch because let’s face it. Most people spend a lot of time on their couch. But you can cheap out on other things such as the coffee table, accessories, art etc. You need to determine what pieces are important to you by asking yourselves these questions…

What pieces will get the most use? And what pieces could easily transition into another home should you move? What pieces do you not mind replacing, should the items not last long? 

Once you determine what pieces you can afford to cheap out on, well, go cheap.

Shop at affordable places like Ikea and do consider second-hand furniture from Facebook Marketplace, your local thrift store. The way to be cheap and be cheap successfully is to have creativity and vision. Sometimes something looks plain and not so special. But paired with your special pieces and styled right, the piece can be a great compliment.

I wrote about some more furniture cost saving tips and tricks in this article. Read Easy Furnishing: My Top 7 Go-To Furniture Stores And Retailers.

Most common interior design question no. 4

Do I have to decorate my whole home in the same style?

Short answer: yes and no. So, this is a bit of a complex question. Because, like most things in interior design, it’s subjective. In my opinion, the whole house should have similar characteristics that create harmony and continuity. But does every room have to “match” completely? In my option no. I think that certain areas can differ in style but still keep the same harmonious components. For example, your powder room or basement can be a little more bold and dark than the main floor, but still maintain the continuity with repeating elements. I don’t think your house should be like a fun house in the sense of every room is completely different, simply because your home won’t feel cohesive. 

Fini. These are some of the most common interior design questions I get from clients, I hope by answering just some of the few questions I get helped you just a little.