Build by Design: Discovering Your Clients’ Needs

The discovery process is one of the most important parts of any design project. This is when I get to know the client, their lifestyle, their family, their interests, and even their pets! I want to know it all! And honestly, I need to. 

To avoid any surprises or disappointment, I take this step very seriously and try to get as much information as possible up front. Interior design is a luxury service so I want to make absolutely certain that it is money well spent.

Function First 

I always tell my clients, first comes function and then comes design. I want to create functional spaces that they can enjoy, that are approachable and that they are not afraid to live in. If your friends love to sling red wine around on game nights, a sofa that’s upholstered in light-colored cotton fabric is probably not right for you. These are the things I take into consideration when designing and making my choices. Without having asked the proper questions everyone could end up being disappointed.

Two-Step Discovery Process 

There are two steps in my discovery process, and I thoroughly explore each: 1) Day-to-day life in each space, and 2) Desired style.

Step 1: Understand the Clients' Needs

First, I start with the day-to-day life/general questions, and I ask as much as I can to get to know my clients. It’s amazing how much a designer can learn based on a few simple questions. The following questions may seem obvious, but time and time again I see them overlooked — and they provide the most valuable information.

Day-to-Day Life Questions: 

• How many people are in your family? 
• What are the ages of the people in your family? 
• Do you have any pets, or plan to have pets in the future? 
• Do you have grandchildren? 
• Do you like to entertain? 
• How many people are usually at your dining table? 
• What do you and your significant other do for work? 
• How long do you plan to live here? 
• Do you cook at home or prefer to eat out? 

For example, when I ask, “how old are your children?” I get a lot of information regarding the durability, type of use, style, materials, etc. It’s questions like these that give me the confidence on install day that we are setting up the clients for success.

Step 2: Understand the Clients' Style

Once I have the foundation for what we can do and how we need each space to function, then we can move onto style. This is where I get to apply my aesthetic and have all the fun! This step is less in depth because I don’t like the client to overthink it. I really just want a brief glimpse into what they are drawn to. I will usually ask them to share inspiration images they have collected — either a Pinterest board, Houzz board, or even pages from a magazine — just to see what appeals to them. 

A few pictures can give me a clear understanding of what they will like so I can feel confident moving forward in the process. I don’t need pages and pages of inspiration (in fact I won’t look through that many) because I am going to create unique designs. After all, that is what they hired me for!

Key Takeaways 

As a busy working mother of two boys (ages 3 and 5), I have learned that a beautiful space is nothing without functionality. I believe that home should not only be a place to enjoy visually, but a place that feels comfortable and inviting, and I am passionate and confident about providing both to my clients through this process.