Interior design services……..Back in 8th grade, I wore two different shoes to school. Not on purpose. It was a Monday.
That same energy? That’s how a lot of people approach hiring interior design services. They rush it or overthink it. They panic-book someone because their cousin is visiting or because Instagram made them feel bad about their couch.
And listen—no judgment. I’ve been there.
But hiring interior design services that WOW isn’t about finding the fanciest designer or the one with the most followers. It’s about finding someone who gets you. Your weird habits or space constraints. Your “I swear I’ll keep it clean this time” optimism.
First Things First: What Does “WOW” Even Mean?
Before you talk to a single designer, you need to answer one question:
What actually makes you feel wowed?
Not Pinterest. Not TikTok. You.
For me?
WOW = walking into my apartment after a long subway commute and feeling my shoulders drop.
For you, it might be:
- “This feels like a boutique hotel”
- “I can finally host people without apologizing”
- “Why does my apartment suddenly look cooler than me?”
All valid. Deeply valid.
Interior design services can’t read your mind. If you don’t know what WOW means to you, they’ll fill in the blanks. And sometimes… they guess wrong.
The Biggest Myth About Hiring Interior Designers
Here it is:
Interior designers are only for rich people with giant apartments.
Nope. False. Outdated. NYC-lie.
Some of the best interior design services I’ve seen specialize in:
- Small apartments
- Awkward layouts
- Renters who can’t drill into walls without anxiety
Queens apartments are basically a design challenge wrapped in radiator noises and questionable light. Good designers love that stuff.
If a designer only shows luxury penthouses and perfect open-concept spaces? Might not be your person.
Red Flag #1: They Don’t Ask You Enough Questions
When I finally hired a designer who worked, the first meeting felt like therapy.
She asked:
- How do you actually use this space?
- Do you host? Hide? Both?
- What do you hate touching?
- What annoys you every single day?
No one had ever asked me that before.
Interior design services that WOW are deeply nosy. In a good way.
If someone jumps straight into mood boards without understanding your life, your routines, your chaos—run. Politely. But run.
The Budget Talk (Yes, It’s Awkward)
I hate talking about money. You hate talking about money. Designers? Also hate talking about money.
But it has to happen. Early.
A good interior designer won’t shame your budget. They’ll work with it or explain trade-offs. They’ll help you decide where to splurge and where to chill.
Actual conversation I had:
Me: “I want it to look expensive.”
Her: “Cool. Which things do you want to look expensive?”
Me: “…oh.”
That moment? Growth.
Interior Design Services Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All
This part surprised me.
There are SO many kinds of interior design services:
- Full-service (they handle everything)
- E-design (remote, mood boards + plans)
- Consultations (one-time brain dump sessions)
- Styling-only (finishing touches, vibes)
You don’t have to go all-in.
If you’re overwhelmed, start small. A consultation can change your whole perspective. Sometimes all you need is someone to say, “No, don’t move—just flip the couch.”
Yes. That happened.
The Portfolio Trap (Don’t Fall For It)
Portfolios are lies.
Okay—not lies. But… curated truths.
When you look at a designer’s work, don’t just ask:
“Is this pretty?”
Ask:
- Does this feel livable?
- Could I see myself here?
- Or would I be scared to sit down?
If everything looks like a magazine spread and nothing looks human? That’s a clue.
Interior design services that WOW usually have at least a few spaces that feel real. Slightly messy. A little warm. A little lived-in.
Communication > Aesthetic (Hot Take)
I don’t care how talented someone is—if they can’t explain their ideas in a way that makes sense to you, it’s gonna be a long ride.
You should feel comfortable saying:
- “I don’t get it.”
- “I hate that.”
- “Why is that chair so expensive???”
And they should answer without making you feel dumb.
The best designer I worked with once said:
“If you don’t love it, it doesn’t matter how good it is.”
I almost cried. Dramatic? Yes. But still.
The Magic Is in the Process, Not the Reveal
TV shows lie.
There’s no perfect “before and after” moment where everything goes smoothly and everyone hugs.
Real interior design services involve:
- Delays
- Backorders
- Second-guessing
- “Wait… is this the wrong white?”
But when it’s good? The process feels collaborative. Like building something together. Like someone’s got your back when the rug you loved looks weird in real life.
And that? That’s where the WOW sneaks in.
Trust Your Gut (Seriously)
If something feels off in the first meeting, it probably is.
Interior design services are intimate. Someone’s messing with your home. Your safe place. Your weird routines.
You’re allowed to say no.
You’re allowed to walk away.
You’re allowed to take your time.
WOW doesn’t come from rushing.
A Few Places I’ve Actually Found Good Designers
- Word of mouth (still undefeated)
- Personal blogs where designers talk like humans
- Design features on Apartment Therapy (not sponsored, just real)
- Instagram—but only after deep lurking
If someone’s personality disappears the moment money comes up? Nah.
Final Thought (Before My Coffee Gets Cold)
Hiring interior design services doesn’t mean you’ve failed at decorating.
It means you’re done guessing.
It means you want your home to work harder for you.
To feel better.
To feel right.
And when you walk in one day and think, “Wow… this is me”—that’s when you know you did it right.
Even if your shoes don’t match.
