How to choose the right interior designer

Searching for an interior designer on Google returns hundreds of results. Every studio promises impressive outcomes, every portfolio showcases glamorous photographs, and every website uses the same keywords: "unique design," "personalized approach," "comprehensive services." How do you distinguish the professional who will truly deliver from the one who will leave you disappointed?

In this article, we present ten specific evaluation criteria based on real-world issues that clients encounter during an interior design project.

1. Check formal qualifications, not just talent

In Greece, the profession of "decorator" is not legally protected, which means anyone can call themselves an interior designer. Before proceeding, investigate the professional's educational background (architect engineer from a polytechnic school, interior architecture graduate, or graduate of a vocational institute/private school), whether they are a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) if they are an engineer, and if they have the right to sign off on studies and construction supervision. This distinction is not merely formal: it determines what they can legally undertake and what liability they carry. A project involving structural interventions requires an engineer. A project focusing solely on aesthetic upgrades can be undertaken by any capable professional, regardless of title.

2. Evaluate the portfolio with a critical eye

A portfolio should not be judged solely on whether you like the aesthetics. It is evaluated based on four factors.

First, variety: does it show that the designer can adapt to different briefs, or do all projects look alike, as if the same formula is being applied? Second, consistency: despite the variety, is there a recognizable aesthetic thread that indicates a design identity? Third, depth: does it only show final photos or also the process (floor plans, 3Ds, construction details, materials)? A portfolio that only shows final images might hide the fact that the designer was not involved in the technical implementation. Fourth, authenticity: are these photos of real, completed projects or 3D renders that were never built? Both have value, but the distinction must be clear.

3. Ask about the process, not just the result

An impressive result is a prerequisite, but what truly matters is how you get there. Ask the potential designer: what are the stages of our collaboration? What deliverables will I receive at each stage? How are decisions made? How many revisions are included? What happens if I want a change after a stage has been approved?

A professional with a structured process will answer you clearly. An amateur will answer vaguely. Clarity in the process is not bureaucracy: it is the only guarantee that the project will progress without misunderstandings, delays, and cost overruns.

4. Request a detailed quote, not an estimate

A serious quote is not just a number in an email. It must clarify exactly what is included (and what is not): which services, which deliverables, how many revisions, whether site supervision is included in the price, if 3D renders are covered, how changes are charged after approval, and what the payment schedule is.

If you receive a quote that says "residential design: X euros" without any detailed description, that is not a quote; it is a guess. And guesses, in interior design projects, always cost more in the end.

5. Assess their listening skills

The first meeting with an interior designer reveals a lot. Do they truly listen to you, or do they do most of the talking? Do they ask questions about your lifestyle, your daily habits, your storage needs, your relationship with natural light, or do they jump straight to aesthetic proposals?

A good designer knows that space should serve your life, not just decorate it. If, in the first meeting, you feel the designer is trying to sell you on their own style rather than understanding your needs, it is a sign that the collaboration might become difficult.

6. Ask about your specific project, not in generalities

Instead of asking "what do you do," describe your project and ask how they would approach it. An experienced professional will immediately identify the specifics (type of space, legal requirements, technical challenges, timeline) and provide an initial assessment of the steps, the permits that might be required, and potential cost ranges. If the answer is "we'll see once we start," look elsewhere.

7. Check their relationship with contractors

Design is half the work. Construction is the other half. A designer who designs without knowing how their design is built will cause problems on-site. Ask: do you work with your own crews or do I find the contractor? Who handles supervision? What happens if a problem arises on-site?

Studios that offer an integrated service (design + construction drawings + project management + supervision) have a significant advantage: responsibility is centralized, there are no gaps between designer and builder, and quality control is performed by someone who knows exactly what was designed.

8. Ask for references, but know what to ask

If you ask for references, don't just ask "were you happy." Ask: was the budget respected? Was the timeline met? Did any problems arise and how were they handled? Was communication easy during the project? Would you hire them again?

The last question is the most revealing. Someone might be happy with the result but would not go through the process again if it was exhausting.

9. Watch for red flags

Certain signs should make you think twice. Vague or oral agreements without a written contract. Reluctance to discuss budget or provide even a cost range. A portfolio consisting exclusively of renders without a single photograph of a completed project. Excessive promises regarding timeline or cost. Inability to explain their methodology or the stages of collaboration. Defensive or aggressive reactions when you ask for details.

None of these necessarily mean the designer is incompetent. It means that collaborating with them involves risk, and in a project that lasts months and costs thousands of euros, risk must be minimized.

10. Evaluate "chemistry," but don't overvalue it

The relationship with your interior designer will be close and will last for months. Good communication, mutual respect, and the feeling that they understand you are important. But "chemistry" does not replace formal qualifications, structured processes, construction drawings, and quality control. The most pleasant person in the world, without technical skill, will be such pleasant company that you won't notice the budget has spiraled by 40%.

An evaluation checklist

Before making your final decision, answer these questions honestly for each prospective studio.

Do I know exactly what they studied and if they can legally undertake what I need? Have I seen completed projects in their portfolio, not just renders? Have they explained the stages of collaboration and the deliverables of each stage clearly? Have they provided a detailed written quote clarifying what is included? Did they truly listen to me during our first meeting? Can they manage the entire project (design, construction drawings, supervision) or do I need to find third parties? Do I have references that answer real questions about budget, timeline, and communication? Have I identified any significant red flags?

If you answered "yes" to all, you have likely found the right professional.

The MOVA approach

At MOVA, we believe the relationship between client and architect must be based on transparency and clarity, not vague promises. From the first meeting, we explain what we can do, what we cannot, what the stages are, and what cost corresponds to each scope of work. Our service covers the entire lifecycle of a project: concept design, architectural study, 3D photorealistic visualizations, construction drawings, bespoke fabrications, project management, and on-site quality control.

If you are looking for the right partner for your project, we would be happy to meet you.

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Note: This article is based on our team's professional experience and practical issues faced by clients during the interior designer selection process. It does not constitute legal advice. For the legal distinction between an architect engineer, an interior architecture graduate, and a decorator in Greece, see our detailed article "Difference between an architect and a decorator: which one do you need?".