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The Washington, DC, area is full of talented modern interior designers crafting chic homes and stylish restaurants for those located in the nation’s capital. If you are struggling to transform your space into the home of your dreams, but don’t know where to start, you have come to the right place. Finding the right interior designer can be the key to getting your project started, and bringing your design dreams to life. Everyone has their own style, and each design project presents a unique opportunity to realize the full potential of a space, while every design studio operates a bit differently, and has their own unique aesthetic. Whether you’re renovating a modern home in Bethesda or decorating a luxury townhouse in Georgetown, this guide to finding the right Washington, DC, area interior designer is the place to start. We’ll dig into how to find an interior designer who aligns with your aesthetic, timeline, project needs, and budget, ensuring your design journey is as seamless as possible.
Understanding Your Aesthetic: Organic Modern, Eclectic, Casual and Beyond
An easy and fun place to start the process of finding the best DC area interior designer for you is understanding your aesthetic. What do you like? What don’t you like? How do you figure it out? Look in your closet. Scroll Instagram. Browse some design books at Barnes & Noble. Purchase some Design publications -- RUE, Architectural Digest and Living, Etc. are a few of our favorites. Pop onto Pinterest, but with a curated eye - Pinterest feeds you what they think you want to see, so if you linger over a photo of a beautiful white kitchen, you may then only see white kitchens. Cast a wide net to start. Maybe you love the work of a celebrity designer based in LA, and are drawn to a warm, modern and organic California style. That’s great-- you can then look to see which DC area designers have a similar vibe. We love drawing inspiration for our modern and chic interiors from fashion. There are so many colors, styles and patterns that can inspire a room or even a whole house. Your closet says a lot about what you like, what colors you feel confident in and what works for you. There is a raw, and emotional component in every design project. Rooms make you “feel” a certain way. Pay attention to the feeling you get when you see an interior designer’s website, or are stopped in your scroll by a stunning kitchen design. Follow this gut reaction to find your interior design spirit animal-- the designer whose work you just cannot get enough of.
Researching and Connecting with your Ideal Modern DC Interior Design Studio
Once you have identified a Washington DC area interior designer whose aesthetic is just so good, and so YOU, and you’re wondering if your home could ever look that good (it CAN!), it’s time to take the next step. Review their website, check out reviews, peep their Instagram profile, tour past projects that are covered in the press, and contact them. Most interior designers have a contact form on their website. Fill it out and wait for a response. We do our best to answer every inquiry within 24 hours, even if the project is not a great fit, we want to let you know sooner rather than later. Most interior designers will offer at least a brief introductory call and email. Use this opportunity to make sure the fundamental parameters of your project align with their approach, with particular attention to budget and timeline. It is not uncommon for talented Washington DC design studios to have a wait of several months before being able to begin a project, nor is it uncommon for interior designers to have project minimums. This is because interior design is a luxury service, driven by crafting fully custom homes and designs tailored to your space. Designing a custom look for all the rooms in your home is not quick or inexpensive, and only makes sense at the right scale. Be patient and expect that most top DC interior designers will not be able to start right away, just as a top hair stylist is likely to not have an opening for months, or an in-demand lawyer may only take on a certain amount of clients each year. A lead time on the start date of your project gives you time to prepare, get organized, and identify the top priorities for your space, so that you can hit the ground running when the start date arrives.
Once you have found an interior designer who you are compatible with in terms of budget, timeline and style, it’s important not to overlook chemistry and processes. As in any relationship, the designer-client relationship is built on trust. You need to trust that your designer has your best interest in mind, including your budget. Likewise, designers need to trust that you are open to following the projected process for delivering a striking, modern space that is on budget and on time. We know how to get from A to Z, but cannot do so without a mutually trusting relationship. And let’s face it, we click with some people more than others. This matters! The design and renovation process is a lot of things, and fun should be one of them. You should enjoy talking to your interior designer, and want to hear their ideas. They are going to be intimately involved in your life and home for anywhere from 6 months for a smaller project (think one or two room remodels) to a few years (such as a new build in Potomac or gut remodel of a historic home in Georgetown), so you need to like them, and trust them.
Final Thoughts: Your Path to Modern Interior Design Success
Trust your gut. Do your research. Be patient and get excited! If that is all you take away from this blog post, you are already on a good path towards finding the best Washington, DC based interior designer for YOU! And gosh, we’d be tickled if you think it’s US!
How You Can Work With Us
At Lorla Studio, a modern interior design firm in Washington, D.C, our talented team of designers craft modern, livable and functional spaces throughout the district and beyond. Hire us for a seamless renovation process, and a modern, approachable design you are sure to love!
Check out the five questions to ask yourself before hiring an interior designer in Washington D.C. If you think we’d make a good team, contact us today!
Ready to transform your space with us?
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