Best Practices for your Interior Design Consultations
Holding a great interior design consultation is key to ensuring a successful project.
Start the Consultation off right
Once the client has booked the paid interior design consultation, you can send your Welcome Guide manually or send them a link to a page on your website. The advantage of sending them a link is that you can record a message on your site, give them some information, and then allow them to download a Welcome Guide that they can print. I’ll go through the Welcome Guide's contents in another video.
It's essential to establish clear goals and objectives for the consultation. What do you hope to achieve? You will have some information about the project from the Discovery Call. Having a clear idea of what you want to accomplish will help you discover your client's vision for the project and help you come prepared with ideas and solutions.
Do a bit of homework by gathering inspiration beforehand. You probably have Pinterest boards that might apply to their project. You may also have fabric swatches and paint samples. The more you learn about their style and preferences, the better you can tailor your recommendations to their taste.
In the Consultation
Your consultation is a working session that has specific goals. I like to take notes on an iPad using the app GoodNotes. Here is a walkthrough. I have prepared a sheet that I can duplicate on the app. I use my apple pencil to take handwritten notes. At the end of the session, I can immediately email the notes to the client via the iPad.
This means that I only have to follow up on the meeting with a thank you email, and depending on how the meeting has gone, I can tailor the message to a ‘work with me ’ email or a ‘not a good fit ’ email.
In the consultation, you will want to discuss the following in detail:
List all the work the client would like to do, room by room. Make sure that you have left enough time, during the session,,,,,,, for all the work you need to complete. I like to start with a quick tour of the whole space and then start with the rooms that are the priorities for the client, checking that I won’t run out of time. I like to make sure that I have finished around 20 minutes before the end so that the client has time to ask lots of questions
Make detailed notes of each space. Take photos that you can include in your Goodnotes file.
Try and write neatly. I have messy handwriting, so I must make a concerted effort to keep it neat.
Try to get the client to give you a budget range. This is essential if you want to work further with the client.
This will help you understand what is and isn't realistic for the project. If appropriate, you can work with clients to find cost-effective solutions. Don't be afraid to ask questions and voice any concerns. These questions will help you better address the client’s needs so that you can help them effectively, and the more information you can uncover, the better you can serve them.
Equipment
Ensure that you have brought your equipment to your meeting. Prepare your consultation bag carefully. Need a guide for you to put this together? You can download one here.
Listen
Finally, be prepared to listen to the client’s ideas. They have lived experience in this space or at least know how they want to live. To bring their ideas to life, ensure that you have listened carefully to what they tell you.
Overall, holding a great interior design consultation is all about clear communication, honesty, and open-mindedness. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to creating the home of your dreams.
Want to learn more? Watch the video…
Hi 👋🏽 I’m Joanne!
I’m an interior designer, educator and business coach. After studying Economics and Education at uni, the design world beckoned, drawing me to Christie’s in London, where I completed post-grad studies in art & design and then to Hong Kong, where I founded Eclectic Cool, a design firm and design store. . Eclectic Cool represented international brands such as Gubi, &tradition, HAY, Armadillo Rugs & Dinosaur Designs to name a few. My work and store have been featured in Monocle, Conde Nast Traveller, Elle Decor, Expat Living, Cathay Pacific inflight magazines, South China Morning Post and the ABC (Australia) network and more. I live on the south coast of Australia on a country property between the beautiful Australian bush and the Pacific Ocean with my husband and cavoodle. I’m the mum of three adult children.
