The right interior designer for a Nairobi project is someone whose experience, working process, and written scope fit the space and the people who will use it. Compare more than finished photographs: ask what the designer will deliver, how decisions will be made, and what support is included during implementation.
A clear brief helps you make that comparison. Note the rooms or business areas involved, the current condition of the space, what needs to change, who will use it, your preferred timing, and the budget range you are prepared to discuss.
Match the designer to your project
Residential, office, retail, and hospitality projects raise different questions. A home project may depend on family routines, storage, privacy, and maintenance. A workplace may need a better balance of focused work, meetings, and shared areas. Ask to see examples that are close to your project type and scale, and ask what the designer personally handled.
You can start with the IDAK designers directory, where public profiles can help you compare practice focus, location, and studio information. Treat the directory as a shortlist tool: still speak with the designer and confirm that the working relationship feels right.
Review the process as well as the portfolio
Ask how the designer moves from briefing to concept, drawings or specifications, procurement decisions, site coordination, and handover. The exact deliverables depend on the agreement. You should be able to understand which stages are included and what decisions or materials you will need to provide.
For each portfolio example, ask whether it is a completed project, what the brief was, and what role the designer played. A relevant, clearly explained project is more useful than a large collection of attractive images with no context.
Compare written scopes and fees fairly
Two proposals are only comparable when they describe similar work. Check whether each covers concept design, technical information, material selection, furniture specification, sourcing, implementation support, and site visits. Ask how revisions, additional work, transport, and purchases are handled. The lowest first figure may not describe the same service as a broader proposal.
Before work begins, agree in writing on deliverables, responsibilities, communication, payment stages, decision dates, and how changes will be approved. Keep receipts and approvals with the project record.
Questions to ask before appointing a designer
- Have you completed projects similar to mine, and what was your role?
- What drawings, specifications, or other deliverables are included?
- Who coordinates suppliers and site decisions during implementation?
- How are revisions, delays, and changes to scope agreed?
- Can I speak with a recent client or visit a completed project?
Use professional information carefully
An IDAK profile can show that a designer participates in the association's professional community. Read the profile, ask about experience relevant to your brief, and confirm the terms of the proposed service. Membership or directory presence is one useful signal; it does not replace your own project checks or a written agreement. Learn more about IDAK membership or contact the association with questions about the directory.
Next step: browse the IDAK directory, shortlist a few relevant profiles, and send each designer the same brief so their proposals are easier to compare.
