Creating a beautiful, functional space, whether it’s your full-time home, vacation rental, or investment property, takes more than just picking out stylish furniture. It requires vision, thoughtful planning, and the expertise of a professional who knows how to bring it all together.

An experienced interior designer can help you streamline the process, avoid costly mistakes, and achieve a polished result. This is especially valuable in South Florida, where design needs often vary between primary residences, coastal condos, and short-term rentals.

Whether you’re furnishing a home in Fort Lauderdale or updating a rental in Delray Beach, the right designer will help you create a space that’s both cohesive and personal, one that truly feels like you.

If you’re thinking about hiring an interior designer in South Florida, here’s what you need to know to find the right fit for your project.

Why Hire an Interior Designer?

Living Room in Fort Lauderdale by JS Decor

Interior design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about solving functional challenges, working within a budget, and creating a space that feels intentional, not improvised.

Here’s how the right designer can make a difference:

Save Time

A designer handles the heavy lifting, including product sourcing and ordering, floor plans, and timelines, so you can focus on enjoying the results.

Clarify Your Vision

Designers help clients uncover their personal style and translate it into a plan. They’ll guide you through decisions on layout, materials, color schemes, lighting, and furnishings that all work together.

Avoid Expensive Mistakes

Buying a sofa that doesn’t fit? Choosing paint, blinds, or curtains that look wrong in your lighting? A designer helps you get it right the first time.

Increase Property Value

Whether you're designing a forever home or staging a vacation rental, great design adds long-term value and appeal.

What You’ll Need Before Getting Started

To get the most out of your design consultation, take some time to reflect on the basics:

Purpose: Is this your full-time residence, a second home, or a vacation rental? What kind of guests or users will the space serve?
Budget: Be honest about how much you want to invest in your renovation. Designers can tailor their approach to make the most of your budget.
Style: Do you have a desired color scheme, feel, look, or other aesthetic goal you are trying to achieve? Try to put it into words (or pictures) as much as possible to give your designer lots to work with. Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest can be handy at this stage to explore different artistic directions and create a mood board.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Interior Designer

Your initial consultation is more than a meet-and-greet. It’s a chance to assess fit. Here are a few questions to ask:

How do you typically approach projects like mine?
What does your design process look like from start to finish?
Do you offer flat-rate, hourly, or project-based pricing?
Have you worked on similar homes or rentals in South Florida?
Can you share a recent project you’re proud of?

Airbnb remodel in Oakland Park by JS Decor

Where to Find a Designer in Fort Lauderdale

Ask Around

A great start when looking for certified interior decorators and house decorators is to ask around for recommendations from friends, family, colleagues, or those in your business network. A good testimonial from someone you already know and trust can be worth a lot when deciding where your money will best be spent.

Search Online

Look through platforms like Houzz, Yelp, or Google Reviews to compare portfolios and read client feedback. Pay attention to projects that seem similar to yours, such as waterfront condos, modern bungalows, or eclectic short-term rentals.

What to Look For

When reviewing potential designers, keep these qualities in mind:

Local Experience: South Florida homes have unique needs; think climate, light, and lifestyle. A local designer will understand what works.
Clear Communication: The right designer will be willing to collaborate with you throughout a project to make sure the result is everything you have dreamed of. It's important that you feel comfortable being open about your likes and dislikes, so be sure to have a good chat before making any commitments.
Reviews: Google, Yelp, and other review sites can be a goldmine for finding out the areas in which certain decorators excel, as well as highlighting any potential problems that could arise. Try to read through a wide range of reviews, both the good and the not-so-good, if and when they come up.

About JS Decor

JS Decor is a Fort Lauderdale-based interior design studio founded by Juline Samuels. We create spaces that reflect the imagination and passion of each homeowner, transforming them into places of comfort, retreat, and inspiration.

If you’re looking for an interior designer in South Florida, we’d love to chat. Contact us to schedule a consultation, and let’s bring your vision to life.

How to Hire an Interior Designer in South Florida