As a homeowner, choosing the right interior designer can be tricky. Is it the right match? How do I know if things will align? Are we on the same page? Do our wavelengths match? It is pretty typical to have these questions in mind.

This is why it becomes quintessential to ask a plethora of questions before hiring the most appropriate interior designer for you. With each passing day, sources of design inspiration come from manifold areas—ergo, you HAVE to locate your taste.

Ask the following questions to your interior designer, and you are bound to get the desired results, and of course, be left satisfied.

1.    How Do You Choose Your Projects? How Do You Decide What’s Appropriate for Your Firm?

Oh, this can be a tricky one. It is almost as if your interior designer is up for a job interview. It is also a good screening measure for you, wherein if they appear nervous, you know that they aren’t sure whether they can live up to your expectations. Remember the dating analogy? Everyone likes a confident date, and this is no different.

This method of screening is also pivotal in determining how efficiently your job will be done. After all, interior designing is not just about expressing oneself, but also doing so in an efficient way. You need to understand that projects are meant to be time-bound entities, and coming to terms with the aspect of time becomes essential.

Before commencing any interior design project, it’s important that your clients understand how you work and what to expect from your services. And, this is where a welcome packet comes in.

In this guide, I’m going to cover:

• What is a client welcome packet?
• What to include in a client welcome packet
• How to get clients to actually read your welcome packet

Read on to find out how a simple welcome packet can help streamline your new client onboarding process and give you more time to focus on what you love: designing dream spaces.

What is a client welcome packet?

A welcome packet sets the tone for your client: interior designer relationships and helps ensure the smooth running of design projects. It should include everything clients need to know when working with you, from how your interior design process works to whether it’s okay to text you at midnight.

Do you start every interior design project with a client questionnaire, or do you try to remember everything discussed in your initial consultation?

Was it mirrored furniture they hated? Or did they say that was their favourite? And, what was their stance on the colour green?

Creating dream spaces for your clients means listening to what they want and using your special eye for design to pull it all together. And, the best way to really understand their needs and desires is with a new client questionnaire.

In this article, I’m going to explore the following:

• What is a client questionnaire?
• Why is an initial client questionnaire important?
• What questions to include in your client questionnaire
• Insights from experienced interior designers

If you’re tired of wasting time trying to figure out what exactly your clients want, keep reading.

What is an interior design client questionnaire?

An interior design questionnaire is as simple as it sounds. It’s a list of questions you ask new clients before you begin working on a project with them. It’s your chance to get to know your potential client’s interior design preferences and align your ideas, so you’re on the same page from the get-go. Without having a client questionnaire to refer back to, you may end up creating something your client is unhappy with. It’s also a great way to sift out any clients that don’t align with your way of working or your interior design style.

As an interior designer, being able to show your previous work is one of the best ways to get new clients.

Your portfolio will demonstrate your skills as an interior designer, show you style and can even set you apart from potential competitors.

You cannot underestimate the need for a professional interior design portfolio. By inviting potential clients to view the spaces you’ve created, allowing them to take in the lighting, textures, scale, ambience and style.

This lets potential clients immerse themselves in your work, delving deep into your designs from the comfort of their homes.

Why You Need An Interior Design Portfolio

As an interior designer, regardless of the specific niche, a portfolio is an absolute must. Simply put, the more creative and impressive your portfolio is, the higher your chances of finding new clients.

You can create an online or printed portfolio however, an online one is much easier to change and update. Ideally, you’ll have an always updated online portfolio and also a printed version which you occasionally update to keep it fresh. Most clients will just want your online portfolio, but there will always be a few clients that will love getting their hands on a hard copy.

Keeping great relationships between your interior design practice and clients is crucial to getting great testimonials to be used within your portfolio.

How To Create Your Own Interior Design Portfolio

There are two core ways to create an interior design portfolio:

• An online portfolio
• A printed design portfolio presentation