Making the Most of Your Initial Consultation and Measurement Time

So, you've set up an appointment with an Interior Designer to get the ball rolling on your newest​ project, and now you’re starting to wonder what to do next.  Rest assured that everyone has this question.  Since I see things from the other side (e.g. the Designer’s side), here are some suggestions for you to effectively prepare for a discussion about your ideas and needs during your initial appointment.

1. Send 3 or 4 photos to your designer ahead of your initial Interior Design appointment. That will give the designer helpful information concerning the size of your room and essential details like ceiling height, windows, architecture, flooring, and other fixed elements.
2. Be prepared to show the Designer what you love about your room and any artwork and inspiration you already own and want to display in the room.  Take a look at the designer’s website, Houzz site, and perhaps browse around the internet for inspiration photos you can share with your Designer.  We have so many digital resources at our disposal these days.
3. Think about how you want the room to feel in the end.  You can use our word list below, or come up with your own descriptive words.
4. If there is another room in your home that is totally “you”, then by all means, show it to the Designer.  Also show your Designer the last room you did, and what you loved about it (and still love about it).
5. If you are keeping your paint colors and you know what they are (this might take a trip to the basement to peek at the labels), then have those names handy for the Designer.  If you don’t know the colors on your walls, we can always use our “Color Muse” tool to figure it out (here’s a link to our blog on that – “Top Ten Color Mistakes”). 
6. Think about your priorities and what you would like to work on initially and then later on (that could be a month or could be 6 months down the road). An incremental approach is always appropriate if it’s a better fit for your comfort zone and budget.  For those who would like everything to change simultaneously, most designers are certainly able to accommodate that too.  It’s all about what works for you and your family.
7. If you are ordering window treatments and shades, think ahead on how you want to operate those treatments - manually, cordless, perhaps motorized?  Your designer will likely ask you these questions about operation (and which side you want the controls to go on), and it helps to think about those options before the meeting.  For bedrooms, consider if you need room darkening or light filtering and the particular needs of guests and teenagers.
8. Think about how you will use the room, who will use the room, and how the functions and activities of the room might change seasonally.  When the leaves are gone in the winter, does a room pose new challenges for privacy and/or sun control?  Does your family room lead out to a pool so the function of the room might be different for summer pool parties as opposed to winter nights by the fire?   Are there particular lighting needs that need to be addressed?  Thinking through all the scenarios will undoubtedly inspire you to make your space work better for you and your family.

​If you follow these tips then you and your Designer will have a much more productive initial meeting – and that will allow you to get rolling on your project even faster. During your initial meeting your Designer will be happy to discuss all your preferences and needs, and your preparation ahead of time can make it a truly enjoyable and productive session!