Working closely with someone on a project, such as the design of your dream home, can be a difficult task, especially when it comes to communication.

For an interior designer to understand your needs, wants and design desires and deliver them, it’s important to provide them with a detailed brief and keep the communication open throughout the project. After all, interior designers aren’t mind readers and they certainly can’t see the moodboard you’ve created inside your head.

And just like an interior designer is required to take your wishlist and wants on board, it’s important that you also listen to their expert advice and ideas and be open to changes.

To make the process run as smoothly and successfully as possible, interior designer Jane Thomson shares some insider tips on what you should be doing to manage your relationship with an interior designer or stylist, as well as outlining the process of working with a designer.

Working with an Interior Designer

Agree at the Beginning

Be sure that everything you want for your house is documented

Be clear about your needs and what you want to achieve

Please be clear about why you want to embark on this journey as well as your financial investment, your living space must haves, and design styles that excite you. A designer wants to hear everything! The more you can convey the better. As a designer the most important time spent with my clients is the initial discovery meeting. This allows us to gather as much info as possible to allow our journey to be a pleasant and inspiring process.

So, what do you want to achieve? What is your main objective? Is it to create more space for your growing family? Is it to simply create a new fresh look for your home? Is it to replace your old outdated kitchen with a brand spanking new, smart kitchen? Don’t be shy – it’s so important to divulge this at the start. No matter the reasoning. We’re not here to judge. Even if it’s to show up your next door neighbour with a superior renovation!

This not only arms us with the relevant info to stay on track, but also the distribution of funds. Trust me, often clients forget about their initial goals, so it’s up to the designer to be your advocate.

Be honest about your budget

Not being honest with your designer is a recipe for disaster. Not being up front about your fiscal input will steer your project into a terrible demise. Often clients will hold back on the ‘real figure’ with fears that the designer may actually spend it! But what ends up happening is the designer is forced to go down a budget-friendly road that doesn’t always meet the client’s expectations.

Do your research on colour selection

Get to know what you think you want. You need to be clear, open and honest with yourself about what colours excite you and the ones that repel you. Deciding on the colour palette of your home can be a huge decision. Make sure you have a vision of what you want before your colour consultation to eliminate the back and forth communication. Chatting colour in your initial consultation with your designer is gold! This allows you to showcase what your heart desires or does not desire. It also allows your designer to get a handle on you as a person.

This is also a great way to utilise your designer’s expertise. An interior designer is highly trained in colour coordination and it’s important to trust and let your designer take the lead at some point if you are unclear of what you want – we may push or challenge you in regards to your tightly held beliefs re colour and trust me, that’s not a bad thing! Remember, this is what they do best.

Communication is the key

There is nothing more encouraging than good feedback, and better yet, being told your work is appreciated. Likewise, if there’s anything you’re unhappy with, make sure you communicate this with your designer and have this rectified before any further tasks are taken on. While you may not have an understanding or vision right now – you designer will, let them show you.

The interior design process: from start to finish

Choose your designer

You want a designer that really resonates with your aesthetic and above all you feel a mutual vibe with. Once you have decided on a designer the process can begin. Your first initial meeting with your designer will include discussing your goals, ideas, views, budget and what is expected, and of course the timeline. Make sure you bring images and all your ideas to the table so we can run through everything.

Meet with your designer

It’s imperative to meet your designer – preferably in a quiet space, with no kids and no distractions. The best idea is to meet with them in the actual space to you’d like to alter. I’d recommend chatting with a few designers to decide who is the best fit for you and your home. This is easily attained through a quick discovery call. You’ve probably already scoped them out on Instagram, so this allows you to scope out your proposed designer’s personality. This is where you’re totally upfront with your budget so your designer can then provide a quote for your project.

Complete your contract

You’re over the moon you’ve found your ideal designer! But before starting any work, its important your designer and you run through the contract and you are aware of all the finer details. Interior designers all work in different ways. You can arrange a flat fee design package with your designer or a package of 20 hours or an hourly fee. Once the documentation side of things is finalised, your designer will go ahead and start ordering furnishings and fixtures from this point.

The design

Your designer will come back to you with the design and a couple of alternatives for your chosen area. It’s imperative during this time to raise any red flags you may have or concerns you have before going ahead. It’s also important that both parties have a clear understanding of what the expected timeline is. Once agreed and all last minute changes are made and signed off on, the full design process begins! All ordering and hiring of trades are arranged. You just sit back relax and wait for the magic to begin!

Final result

The reveal is the best and most exciting part of the design process. I like to arrange with my client a “TV style” reveal. I like to hold back all items and install in 1- 2 days. You’re usually at work and if you’re not I send you to a local restaurant or café. My team and I work hard to install and style your space so you arrive home to a magnificent magazine-worthy home, all done and dusted.


This post origiginally appears on Homes to Love