Before your interior decorator starts on any project, ask him or her these five questions to make sure you’re both on the same page:

Explain to your interior decorator what you have in mind for your space and find out if it is a reasonable request. Is the layout right for your home and your lifestyle? Will the colours suit the space? You may have seen a look in a magazine or friend’s home that you loved, but it might not translate well to your home.

Is it possible?

Explain to your interior decorator what you have in mind for your space and find out if it is a reasonable request. Is the layout right for your home and your lifestyle? Will the colours suit the space? You may have seen a look in a magazine or friend’s home that you loved, but it might not translate well to your home.

Is it affordable?

You’ve established what you want to have done to your home, but now you have to determine what it will cost. Discuss the rate with your decorator and don’t be afraid to tweak the project as you need to. If the final rate is too steep for what you can afford, you may have to scale back on some of the design plans, or come up with an alternate plan. The best way to do this is to work with your designer. Be honest about what you can afford, be respectful of what your designer is worth and work as a team to come up with something that benefits both of you.

Is it too trendy?

Sure, trends are great, but you also want something that’s not going to be completely out of style in six months’ time. Ask your decorator if the look you’re considering is on its way out, or if it doesn’t seem likely to last beyond this year. Your decorator should have a good idea of trends coming down the pipe and can warn you if you’re veering into a style that doesn’t have staying power.

Is there more?

What aren’t you thinking of? Does the lighting system you have in mind require extensive electrical work? Does the paint colour you’re dreaming of mean changing all your furniture to match? Ask your decorator if there are any considerations that could drastically change the scope of the project.

Is your decorator the right one for the job?

Just as within any industry, home decorators often have specific areas of expertise. Perhaps you’re looking to re-floor your living room, but your usual decorator specializes in window treatments. Ask your decorator if he or she is the right one for the job, or if there is someone you could be referred to who’s a better option. That’s one of the greatest advantages of having a professional decorator – they know others in the industry and can steer you toward the perfect person for your project.

Once you’ve answered all these questions, you’ll be well on your way to redesigning a look that is perfectly right for you.