How to Find the Best Interior Designers in Australia and What to Look for in One

Across Australia, you’ll find hundreds of interior design studios. You scroll through websites and social feeds, see the same styled corners, and start to wonder: who’s skilled, and who’s just good at photos? This guide breaks the process into practical steps so you can choose the best interior designer. 

Step 1 – Clarify Your Project and Level of Help You Need

Before you start searching for the best interior designers, stop and look at your own plans. Ask yourself a few simple questions:

• Are you reworking an entire home?
• Are you focusing on one key area, like a kitchen or master suite?
• Are you building from scratch and need help from the start?

Then think about the kind of support you expect:

• Do you need space planning and joinery design?
• Do you want help with custom furniture, soft furnishings, and lighting?
• Do you prefer a full service where your interior designer Melbourne or interior designer Sydney manages everything, from drawings through to installation?

This first step doesn’t take long, but it can save you hours later. You begin your search knowing what you actually need, instead of hoping the right person just appears on your feed.

Step 2 – Shortlist Based on Portfolio, Not Just Social Media

It’s tempting to pick a designer based on Instagram alone. Those “hero corners” and vignettes look great, but they rarely show how a whole room works. Instead, focus on full project case studies on the studio’s website.

Look for breadth and consistency in equal measure. A top interior designer should handle different types of homes (heritage terraces, contemporary houses, compact apartments) while still showing a clear design strength.

Pay attention to evidence of custom work. Joinery that fits wall to wall, dining tables sized to the room, and considered lighting all hint at a more serious design approach. Studios like Mark Alexander interior design , for example, often show complete spaces, built-in elements, and furniture in context.

Step 3 – Assess Craftsmanship and Custom Capability

One way to separate the best interior designers from the rest is to look at how they approach craft. 

• Do they work with in-house or closely partnered furniture makers? 
• Do their projects feature custom made furniture or mostly catalogue pieces?

Custom made furniture fit your rooms properly, support your routines, and tend to age gracefully over time.

If you’re unsure, ask to see examples of drawings for joinery or custom furniture. A top interior designer should be comfortable explaining how a piece moves from sketch to workshop to your home.

Step 4 – Understand Their Process and Communication Style

Process matters. Ask each designer to walk you through their stages: 

• Briefing
• Concept
• Design development
• Documentation
• Quoting
• Installation

Clear steps make it easier to know what happens next and what decisions they’ll need from you. The best interior designers usually combine a solid design method with straightforward communication. 

Step 5 – Check Fit: Values, Personality, and Location

You’ll be working closely with your interior designer for months, sometimes longer. Personal fit isn’t a small detail. Do they listen more than they talk? Do they ask about how you live day to day, rather than imposing a signature look? Do they respect the architecture and the story of your home?

Location also plays a role. Many studios based in one city work nationally, so a top interior designer in Melbourne may also handle projects in Brisbane or Adelaide. Even so, it helps if they have strong local networks.

Conclusion

Finding the best interior designers in Australia starts with you. First, get clear on what you want to change in your home. Then study each interior designer’s work, ask about their process, and notice how they speak with you.

In the end, you’re searching for someone who listens, thinks carefully, and creates rooms that feel good to live in every day. Do their spaces look like places you could enjoy for years, or just scenes for a quick post? That simple question can guide your choice.

Every item of furniture made by luxury interior designer and furniture manufacturer Mark Alexander is bespoke, made for your area, made for your space. Discover how to find the best interior designer Australia by clicking here.