How to Find and Work With an Interior Designer
- jenn5997
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
Whether you’re planning a full home renovation or simply want to refresh a few key rooms, hiring an interior designer can help bring your vision to life with clarity, creativity, and a lot less stress. But for many homeowners, one of the biggest early questions is: how do I even begin to find the right designer? And once I do, what does the process actually look like?
As a studio that guides clients through everything from new builds to styling the final layer, we wanted to break down the basics of hiring and working with a designer so you know what to expect and how to get the most out of the experience.
1. How to Find an Interior Designer
Start by gathering inspiration. Are you drawn to calm, minimal spaces? Bold and expressive ones? Maybe a blend of both? Save imagery you’re naturally drawn to on Pinterest, Instagram, or even from print magazines, and look for recurring themes in material, colour, and mood.
From there, start exploring local design studios. Some ways to find a designer you’ll genuinely connect with:
Ask for referrals from friends or colleagues who’ve worked with a designer.
Explore design publications (both local and international) to discover emerging and established studios.
Search on Instagram using geotags or hashtags like #TorontoInteriorDesigner or #ModernHomeDesign.
Look for real homes—not just styled or staged spaces. A good designer’s portfolio will show a range of scale and styles while maintaining a strong, cohesive point of view. This also applies to homes within your neighbourhood or others you frequent that have houses undergoing renovations and look at who is designing them.
Early days at Project 27
Once you’ve found a few studios you like, take time to read about their approach and process. Look for a tone and design philosophy that align with your own values, whether that’s comfort, sustainability, craftsmanship, or all of the above.
2. What to Look For
Hiring an interior designer is about more than loving their aesthetic, it’s about finding a good fit. Here are a few things to consider:
Design Perspective: Does their work resonate with your lifestyle? Can you picture yourself living in the types of spaces they create?
Process Clarity: A strong studio will clearly outline how they work, what’s included in their services, and how they communicate throughout a project.
Experience with Your Type of Project: Some designers specialize in renovations, others in furnishings or new builds. Make sure their expertise matches the scope of your needs.
Collaborative Style: You want someone who listens carefully, brings ideas to the table, and can translate your goals into something both functional and beautiful.
3. What the Process Looks Like (with LN Studio)
Every designer works a little differently, but at LN Studio, we break our process into a few clear phases so clients always know where they are and what to expect.
01. Discovery + Consultation: Every project begins with a conversation. In this phase, we take time to understand your lifestyle, goals, and the functional and architectural context of your home. Whether you’re renovating, furnishing, or building from the ground up, this is where we gather insight into how you want your space to feel and function.
We also walk you through our process, ask pointed questions to understand the project scope, and discuss budget and timeline expectations. This stage helps ensure we're the right fit and sets a strong foundation for everything that follows in our design proposal.
02. Design Proposal + Concept Development: Once aligned, we move to develop a design proposal incorporating as many details about your project as we can. Once approved, we develop the overarching concept—complete with moodboards, spatial layouts, custom millwork ideas, and preliminary finishes. It’s a collaborative, iterative phase where we shape the vision together and refine details with your input.
03. Detailed Design + Procurement: With the design direction confirmed, we translate it into precise, buildable plans: detailed technical drawings, lighting and electrical plans, and full finish and fixture specifications. We also begin sourcing furnishings, custom pieces, and materials—handling estimates, vendor coordination, and logistics with care. This is when we liaise with contractors, trades, and consultants to ensure everything is aligned with the design intent.
04. Implementation + Project Oversight: During this phase, we act as your design advocate—providing ongoing communication with your builder and trades, answering site questions, and ensuring materials and furnishings are delivered and installed as planned. Our goal is to protect the integrity of the design while helping the project run smoothly and efficiently.
05. Styling: The final layer is where everything comes together. We style your space with intention and nuance, bringing in art, textiles, and objects that make the space feel complete and personal. This is where the lived-in beauty of your home truly comes to life, down to the smallest details.
4. Final Thoughts
Working with an interior designer isn’t about handing over control—it’s about creating a space that feels like you, with the support of someone who can translate your ideas into something cohesive and beautiful.
Whether your project is big or small, choosing the right partner can make all the difference. If you're curious about working with LN Studio, you can learn more about our process here or reach out for a discovery call below.
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