Have you followed famous designers and interiors accounts to see all the beautiful spaces that are out there? Maybe you’ve liked every single post and built yourself a huge collection of Pinterest boards with all the things you love? If this is you, you may believe that when it’s your turn to start a project, your designer is going to do the same thing for you: perform some illustrious design magic and create a photo-worthy masterpiece out of nowhere. Well there’s something you need to know about all the designs you’ve seen. Designers are only able to come up with that special potion because of the connection, collaboration, and information they receive from the client. That means that you, the client, are going to have some work to do, too.

That’s right, luv. You’ve also got your work cut out for you, and it’s a lot more than simply saying you want a tufted bed with lavender accent wall. Good design isn’t only a mixed bowl of inspiration and design ideas baked into a brand new interior. Nope. The key to good design is you. Your wants, your needs, your involvement, your responses, your availability, are all things that create the needed focus points that helps us build the best surrounding atmosphere for you. You can think of it like a puzzle. Good puzzlers start with the edges, the boundaries of the image, and move in from there. You are the edge of the puzzle. Without it, the rest of the puzzle becomes 10x more difficult, unorganized and a lot less enjoyable.

Get personal and be honest: First up is making sure you deliver open and honest communication. If you saw my post last week, you already know why you need to get personal in your design journey. Besides, it does your project no justice to tell your mama you want a big bold wallpaper print that gives you 90s vibes and then tell your designer you’re not sure and are open to whatever they come up with. Not only that, you need to be honest with yourself. Don’t be open to green walls if you hate green. You loathe green, luv. Nothing is going to make you like the color green, and that’s ok.

Be feedback ready: As a client, you’ll be ready for the advice and proposals from your designer, but are you ready to be prompt with your feedback? When it comes to pulling together your design, commit to being the client who responds. Respond to calls and emails requesting feedback. Submit any signatures and approvals in a timely fashion. Pay invoices on time. Communicate when there’s a potential change in the plan. This helps your project continue to move along smoothly, even in the midst of changes or delays that may occur.

Provide access: Given pandemonium still being an active part of our daily lives, this is both simpler and more difficult at the same time. On the one hand, clients are working remote or hybrid more than ever before, so it might be easier for you to have time set aside for a site visit. On the other hand, people are more selective about who and when people are entering their spaces. Either way, on-site access will be necessary at times for your project. So make setting the appropriate boundaries for that, and allowing the pros to get in to do what it is they do.

Everyone needs to be available: A key factor in having on-site availability is making sure that everyone who’s supposed to be there is present. Anyone who has something to do with the space or the design of the space needs to show up to appointments. Working on your home with your partner? Both of you should be there. Updating your office’s break room? The project team and at least one representative for your workers should be there. New play area for your pets or kids? Both should make an appearance and kids should have an opportunity to share what they’d like as well. To do what’s best for the people using the space, include the people using the space.

Magic design moments give us all life. Just remember that we all have our part to play. Trust the process, and be ready when it’s your turn. Make sure you like this post and subscribe to the blog before you go. Talk soon!