If you’re planning a remodel in Marin, San Francisco or anywhere else in the Bay Area, hiring  the right interior designer can make all the difference, not just in the final result, but in how  smoothly (and enjoyably) the process unfolds. With high property values, limited inventory, and  complex homes ranging from historic Edwardians to contemporary new builds, Bay Area design  projects require both creativity and precision. If you want to know more about the value of an  interior designer, read our previous blog post “The Hidden ROI of a Beautifully Designed  Home”. 

Whether you’re embarking on a full-home renovation or furnishing a new space, here’s what to  look for when hiring an interior designer. 

1. A Proven Process from Start to Finish 

You’re not hiring someone to wave their hands around and pick paint colors. A good designer  offers a full-service process that guides you from concept to installation. That means everything  from vision boards, material selection, and precise furniture plans to procurement, trade  coordination, and overseeing the job site once construction starts. Ask about their workflow, how  decisions are made, and how they keep the project on track. You want a team that brings  structure, clarity, and calm to what can otherwise be an overwhelming experience, and who  knows how to pivot and bring solutions when unexpected issues or surprises come up (they  always do!). 

2. Professional Experience and Design Training 

Designing a home requires more than a good eye. It demands technical knowledge, project  management skills, and an understanding of how homes are built and lived in. Look for a  designer who is established in their field and a portfolio that demonstrates a range of work. With  the advance of AI and realistic renderings, make sure that the photos you see are of actually  completed projects, not just concepts, and ask your designer what specific work was done. 

Avoid hiring someone who’s treating design as a side hustle. A seasoned professional knows how  to collaborate with architects, contractors, and fabricators and can confidently guide you through  complex decisions with clarity and ease, and make the best use of your large investment. 

3. Aesthetic Alignment (and Range) 

You don’t need to hire someone who shares your exact taste, but you do want someone whose  work resonates. Browse their portfolio and pay attention to how their projects feel. Are they  layered? Timeless? Personal? Look for designers who know how to adapt to various architectural  styles and family lifestyles, while still bringing a clear and elevated perspective. 

4. Experience with Full Remodels and Furnishings 

Some designers focus on furnishings only and don’t have experience navigating construction and  hard finishes, others only work on kitchen and bathroom remodels, and some designers  specialize in whole-house remodeling from A to Z, including soft furnishings. Make sure to  understand who you are hiring and what they specialize in. 

For a full home remodel, you want a team that’s experienced in both remodels and furnishings,  with a deep understanding of construction, space planning, and how the finished home will  actually be lived in. A good designer knows how to balance vision with technical execution. 

5. Clear Communication and Responsiveness 

Your designer will be your partner for months or even years for larger projects. Strong  communication skills, regular updates, and clear expectations are essential. Pay attention to how  they respond to your initial inquiry, if they listen to you, and whether they ask thoughtful  questions. The best designers are collaborative, respectful of your time, and confident in guiding  you through big decisions. You want to find someone who is service-oriented and whose end  goal is always a successful project. 

6. Trusted Trade Relationships 

Interior design doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Your designer should have long-standing  relationships with local contractors, cabinet makers, workrooms, showrooms, and artisans. These  connections not only elevate the quality of your project but also help keep things moving more  smoothly behind the scenes. At the same time, if you want to bring in your own vetted, licensed,  and professional trade or contractor, your designer should also be open to collaborating with new  partners. 

7. Budget Transparency and Realistic Guidance

A great designer helps you understand where to invest and where to hold back, always balancing  your goals with the reality of Bay Area pricing. They should be able to give you a range of costs  for design fees, decorative materials, and furnishings, based on past projects. Construction costs  

should be coming directly from contractors. A great designer should also be able to provide  target timelines. If you’re investing $750K+ in a remodel and furnishings, you want to know  that money is being spent wisely and with intention. 

8. A Focus on Function, Not Just Aesthetics 

A beautiful home that doesn’t function well is a missed opportunity. The right designer will ask  how you live, entertain, cook, and recharge and then shape the space around those answers. They  will pay attention to distances between furniture, circulation space, ideal location of appliances,  plumbing, switches and much much more. Look for someone who cares about storage, layout,  lighting, and long-term livability, not just how the room will look in photos. 

9. A Clear Contract and Scope of Work 

A professional designer should outline exactly in a letter of agreement what’s included in their  services, what’s not, and how billing works. Typically, a professional designer will ask for a  signing retainer before starting work. Look for clear deliverables, defined phases, and  transparency in how time and resources are tracked. This creates trust from the start and  minimizes misunderstandings along the way. 

10. Someone You Trust to Take the Lead 

Ultimately, you’re hiring a designer because you don’t have the time, energy, or desire to manage  the thousands of decisions a remodel requires. You want to work with someone who listens to  your goals but who also has a clear vision, brings strong leadership, and the confidence to move  things forward. Letting go of some of the control will be crucial, but once you find someone you  can trust and do that with, you will have a much easier project. 

Hiring the right interior designer isn’t just about style, it’s about finding someone who can  elevate your home, think about all the practical touches, while making the process enjoyable,  seamless, and deeply rewarding.  

At Florence Livingston Interiors, we work with busy professionals across Marin, San Francisco,  and all over the Bay Area, who want to design homes that are thoughtful, soulful, and built to  last.

If you’re ready to start your remodel or furnishing project and want a design partner who can  guide you every step of the way, let’s talk.