What to expect when working with an interior designer
So you’ve found the perfect interior designer for your project and you’re keen to get started, but what happens next? Our guide helps you navigate the interior design journey and how to fully prepare yourself for the path ahead.
Every project should start with an initial consultation, at which point you will be fully briefing your designer. This sounds quite formal and complex, but really it is just an in-depth chat (usually over a nice coffee), during which your designer will listen to everything you are looking to achieve within the space. They may provide you with a questionnaire prior to or during this meeting, which will have questions that really get you thinking about the space and will also be an opportunity for them to get to know you better. The better they understand you, your personalities, lifestyle, likes and dislikes, the better the scheme they will be able to deliver. It might seem strange that they are asking what restaurants you like to go to, what clothes you like to wear, where you shop, how you spend your weekends, but having all of this information really does form a crucial part of the design process. The best results come when a client and interior designer have a true understanding of each other and are totally on the same page with the desired outcome, and this is often when a designer can produce something that really surpasses expectations as they have interpreted what you are looking for, and added elements that really elevate this past your imagination. The best place for this initial meeting to happen is in the space that is being designed, so the designer can get a feel for things such as the natural light, the scale of the space and the building it sits within.
The best way to prepare for this meeting with your designer is to pull together some inspirational images, whether this be a Pinterest Board, cut outs from magazines, images you have seen on Instagram, really anything you are drawn to. It can be difficult to convey your ideas clearly using words alone, especially if design is not your thing, so go for imagery as there is then little risk of incorrect interpretation. It may be that you set up shared Pinterest boards with your designer, so you can collaborate and all pin images that outline your scheme, or they take your images away to form part of the brief. The more information you can give the better, but do not stress about using ‘correct terminology’, design language or sounding like you know what you are talking about. Your interior designer is there to guide you through this process and there is absolutely no pressure or expectations for you to know it all, at the end of the day that is what you are paying them for!
Communication is key. During this initial meeting and throughout the process, never be afraid to give honest and open feedback to the designer. You must remember that this is your scheme, your home, your office and that you are the one that has to love it. While the designer will likely suggest ideas that push boundaries, and stretch the initial brief to the fullest, you have to make sure that you are all working on the same page. Don’t be shy in giving feedback, the designer will not take it personally and it will ensure that you get the best result.
Dependant on the size and scale of the project, and how involved you have asked the designer to be in it’s completion, the communication should continue throughout the journey. Regular updates and transparent communication should be provided, to set expectations and make sure deadlines are hit. Again, provide them with feedback and feel free to ask questions at any stage, as it is vital you are comfortable with every process. Remember though, trust the process, have faith in your designer and remember you hired them because of their work and relationship you have likely built, and that the results will be incredible!
The most important thing is to enjoy the journey! You are working together to create your dream space, so feel free to get involved as much or as little as you want. This should be a process that you look back on fondly, and that lives with you for years to come. It is not unusual for designers and clients to form long lasting friendships so embrace the sourcing trips, the site meetings and the hours spent talking about your hopes and dreams, it really will all be worth it <3