Speak Out! How to Communicate Your Likes & Dislikes to a Designer
You can save a whole lot of time when working with a designer by communicating what you like and don't like – here's how
Are you planning to renovate or redecorate your home any time soon? When working with an interior designer or architect, it pays to stay engaged, be vocal and have an opinion when it comes to the style, colour and functionality you’re after, according to these design professionals. Here, they reveal the best ways to go about it.
Frances Cosway, design director at White Pebble Interiors concurs. “Clearly communicating your likes and dislikes gives you clarity about what you are requesting from a designer and the direction you want them to go down,” she says.
“We often find that once the discussion starts happening, the client starts to shape the design direction for the project, and the process allows them to flesh out their preferences as a couple or as a family, as often many people need to be involved and voice their likes and dislikes. We can then come to a consensus on the design direction together,” says Cosway.
Thinking about redecorating? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
Thinking about redecorating? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz
What’s the best way to communicate with a designer or architect?
Writing a brief is a helpful first step to take, but it’s not the only way. “I like to ask prospective clients to fill in an online questionnaire before our first meeting so I can get a sense of what assistance they are looking for and their personal style,” says Hart.
“I also like to know who is living in the home, the ages of any children and if they have pets, as this will determine how the space needs to function for the people living in it,” she says.
Writing a brief is a helpful first step to take, but it’s not the only way. “I like to ask prospective clients to fill in an online questionnaire before our first meeting so I can get a sense of what assistance they are looking for and their personal style,” says Hart.
“I also like to know who is living in the home, the ages of any children and if they have pets, as this will determine how the space needs to function for the people living in it,” she says.
Cosway conducts a briefing session to explore a prospective client’s likes and dislikes, and to discuss them in more detail. “This allows us to fulfill our design obligations by meeting the brief accurately,” she says.
“After the briefing meeting, we then follow up with a written ‘Return Brief’ document, as sometimes reviewing something in writing prompts other thoughts,” she says.
“After the briefing meeting, we then follow up with a written ‘Return Brief’ document, as sometimes reviewing something in writing prompts other thoughts,” she says.
“A written confirmation also means that everyone is on the same page and things are things are not lost in translation, which can happen if you are just relying on verbal communication,” says Cosway.
How else can I show a designer my preferences?
As design is a visually-driven sphere, the best way to communicate your likes, dislikes and preferences to your designer or architect is to share images that illustrate what you do (or perhaps do not) want.
“When clients show me images of spaces they are drawn to I can get a real sense of their style and what they are hoping to achieve when it comes to curating their home,” says Hart. “I can work out what colours they like, the art they are drawn to and the lifestyle they would like to create.”
As design is a visually-driven sphere, the best way to communicate your likes, dislikes and preferences to your designer or architect is to share images that illustrate what you do (or perhaps do not) want.
“When clients show me images of spaces they are drawn to I can get a real sense of their style and what they are hoping to achieve when it comes to curating their home,” says Hart. “I can work out what colours they like, the art they are drawn to and the lifestyle they would like to create.”
“A picture tells a thousand words,” says Cosway. “Sometimes when a client is unable to articulate in words what they like, images can really help, as we can clearly see the reoccurring themes that appear.”
Use Houzz Ideabooks
Designers agree that Houzz Ideabooks are a great communication tool, allowing you to show your team the exact type of spaces you love and the look or feel you want to create in your home. When you save any image to an Ideabook on Houzz, you have the option of noting what you like about the space (to do this with a photo, click ‘Save’, then type your thoughts into the ‘What do you like about this photo?’ field).
“Sharing Ideabooks can be really helpful as it allows me to see common links between the different homes and spaces [a client selects],” says Hart.
Designers agree that Houzz Ideabooks are a great communication tool, allowing you to show your team the exact type of spaces you love and the look or feel you want to create in your home. When you save any image to an Ideabook on Houzz, you have the option of noting what you like about the space (to do this with a photo, click ‘Save’, then type your thoughts into the ‘What do you like about this photo?’ field).
“Sharing Ideabooks can be really helpful as it allows me to see common links between the different homes and spaces [a client selects],” says Hart.
“And the fact that Houzz Ideabooks are broken down by room makes it even easier to see a client’s preferences,” says Cosway.
Other ways you can visually demonstrate your preferences are by showing your designer cut-outs from magazines or by collecting images you’ve found in different places online in an e-folder, adds Cosway.
Other ways you can visually demonstrate your preferences are by showing your designer cut-outs from magazines or by collecting images you’ve found in different places online in an e-folder, adds Cosway.
Be open about communicating your likes and dislikes
Even if you’re not completely certain about the design direction you want to take with your home, it can be helpful to your designer to verbalise how you want a room to function from a practical perspective, and the colours and styles you’re drawn to – as well as those you are not.
Even if you’re not completely certain about the design direction you want to take with your home, it can be helpful to your designer to verbalise how you want a room to function from a practical perspective, and the colours and styles you’re drawn to – as well as those you are not.
When meeting prospective clients, Hart will ask questions to prompt an open discussion about what a client likes in terms of space, design, style, colour and the functionality of rooms. “Some people have a very clear picture of what they want, while others don’t. Having an open discussion really helps clients think about what they want to achieve,” she says.
Your turn
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Would you like more advice on working with design professionals? Don’t miss this story: Building or Renovating? How to Check the Eco Cred of a Pro
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Would you like more advice on working with design professionals? Don’t miss this story: Building or Renovating? How to Check the Eco Cred of a Pro
Speaking up when it comes to your style preferences can be a huge time-saver, says Michelle Hart, interior stylist and founder of Bask Interiors. “It reduces the amount of time spent trying to work out what style and colours a client is drawn to. As a designer, it really streamlines the process of curating a design you will love,” she says.
“Speaking up also means that you will feel confident that the designer understands your needs and expectations for creating a fabulous design,” says Hart.