FINDING THE RIGHT INTERIOR DESIGNER Homeowners who've been through the process share their best advice.

Planning to renovate your home this year? Choosing the right interior designer for your home renovation is probably one of the scariest yet most important steps! Instead of diving in blind and regretting your choice, consider these tips from local homeowners to ensure you choose the right designer from the start.

- YAIZA CANOPOLI

Evaluate the Designer, Not the Firm 

Many homeowners make the mistake of stopping once they’ve picked the design firm, forgetting that every designer has a unique style and approach to design, even within the same firm.

“Evaluate mainly the person, not the firm they come from,” share Tiffany and Bryan (@jingwensathome), whose resale HDB flat was beautifully renovated with an openconcept kitchen and its own cat room.

“The firm is important in terms of resources, relationships with contractors, etc., but your main person of contact is your ID, so make sure you get along with them.” 

Yumei and Jing Hao from @ameijinghome echo this sentiment, reflecting on their long-awaited midcentury modern BTO renovation.

“Assessing designers’ personal portfolios is a good way to gauge their suitability from the get-go, instead of leaving it to chance if you go with the latter, as companies tend to match you randomly with any available ID.”

Choose a Designer Who Aligns with Your Style 

This ensures that you don't clash during the design process and allows your ID to make more suitable suggestions if you're out of ideas.

"Meet with designers who can resonate with your style," suggests Faezah (@_faezah_mokhtar), whose gorgeous maisonette and dreamy service yard we can't get enough of.

"Different designers have different strengths and they may not all be able to execute the look you want to achieve."

So, if you're envisioning an eclectic, playful home full of colour, don't go for a designer whose portfolio is full of modern, minimalist designs!