How to Prepare for Your Best Interior Design Consultation
Regardless of whether you are a DIY client or a full-service "please do it all for me" client, the consultation is the first (and one of the most important) step to give all of us direction and clarity for your space.
What does a design consultation include?
(So glad that you asked!)
• On-site visit
• Conversation around project goals
• Reviewing the spaces involved
• Officially setting the budget
• Discussing lifestyle needs and desires
• Roadmap/timeline for the project
• Refining style & aesthetics
• and more...
7 Ways to Prepare for Your Design Consultation
1. Know Your Goals
The hardest part of any design project is breaking through the overwhelm of "what the heck are we doing?"
Our team has saved clients thousands just by reviewing architectural layouts during the consult and catching less than ideal floorplans or cabinetry layouts. Not to mention, who’da thunk it - it turns out you really don't like transitional over contemporary. How 'bout that?
2. Come with a Budget
Of course, this is the hard part. The Benjamins. We can definitely help you define a realistic (emphasis on realistic) budgetary scope for the goals you wish to achieve with your home but it's totes helpful if you have a range of what you can afford and are willing to budget for your project.
3. Have a Process for Decision-Making
Who wears the pants? Ok, so that's an archaic concept, but it's VERY helpful to have your decision-making process streamlined and you will love how making quick decisions and trusting the pros (hint: us) helps you and your bottom line. Cha-ching.
4. Open Your Awareness to Your Daily Routine
Give some thought to how you live your daily life and the logistics that are important to you. Do you have to drop your keys and mail off daily at your foyer console table? Does Fido need a gem-encrusted, custom bed in the Master? Think it through.
5. Be Honest in Sharing Your Habits and Needs
Listen, we have seen it all. This is a judgment-free process. Be honest and transparent with your design needs.
I mean, who doesn't need a TV by the toilet? Amirite? But seriously, it's your home. Go for it!
6. Discover Your Style Preferences in Advance
We will nail down your esthetic during the consultation but, if you have an inkling, that helps us use our time for other issues.
Do you have a Houzz or Pinterest board with inspo posts that make you swoon? Be sure to show us!
7. Bring an Open Mind!
Expand your universe. Don't be surprised if you get some aha moments during the consultation. Odds are we will present something that you haven't even considered. Be sure to keep an open mind - we have done this before.
Bonus Tip: Eliminate Distractions
60 minutes is a nice sweet spot for our meeting and we can cover a lot. Just be sure to be focused and distraction-free to make 100% use of our time together. Or, if Aunt Edna calls you during our meeting, make sure she has a design question. Just sayin’.
At DPI, we really live for this stuff and we are giddy at the thought of helping you with your project. Thank you so much for considering us for something so intimate and important.
Can't wait to get your own project off the ground? Reach out to us today to schedule your design consultation!
Xoxo,
Darla and the DPI Team