How To Be Confident With Design Decisions

Help!   I am so frustrated trying to finish even one room in my home.

Every year about this time, we get what we call “Panic Calls” from soon to be clients.  These calls come from folks who are in the middle of a project, or are paralyzed and can’t pull the trigger to begin a project.  Both clients have one thing in common.  A fear of making a design mistake.  Sound familiar?  We sincerely hope not, but if so…..

I Need To Be Confident I Am Not Making A Mistake!

Panic about our home’s design can happen so quickly.  A piece of furniture arrives and is not the right size for the space.  “Boy it looked smaller online!”  The paint color “did not dry 3 shades lighter” nor did that fabulous light fixture make it clear it used such low wattage bulbs.  One or two mistakes and we all lose the confidence we had embarking on our decor project.  Especially at holiday time.

During our initial meetings, whether in person or virtually, our goal is to always put our client’s mind at ease.

Designers Can Build Confidence From The Start

• Every one’s home need to provide the same functions.  Just as the old saying goes, “Every man puts his pants on the same way.”  Things can function better than the existing or differently than your neighbors.  This should be a personal choice, not an urgent necessity.  Taking the time to develop a plan, then work the plan, is the ultimate confidence builder.
• Most of us do not buy, or rent, a home we do not like something about.  Always focus on the positives no matter how buried they seem.
• With the massive amount of information online, it is easy to get overwhelmed.  Too many choices, without a plan, will play havoc with confidence.
• The majority of our clients know what they want to achieve.  It is our privilege to interpret, create and in some cases, implement, their goals.

“Show Me” The Confidence

Designers should not be able to  show a client a photo of exactly what we are suggesting.  Those photos don’t exist until the project is complete.  Yet, don’t we all like to look at pictures?  Concept photos can be used as tools to build confidence for interior design projects.   Today let’s look at 5 inspirational photos and how we interpret what our clients are asking us to help them achieve.

Motivational Monday

“I want to be on vacation at home.”

“I am both edgy and traditional.”

“I need peace the minute I walk in the door.”

A quick sidenote:  This photo is from a fellow blogger whom we admire for her constant expertise and encouragement in still-life photography.sixteenmilesout.com 

“I love texture”!

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“I’d like updated neutrals.”

The Biggest Confidence Builders

Time is your best confidence builder for any interior design project.  Planning the work and working the plan (a broken record I know!) is one of the best ways to have confidence that your goals will be exceeded.  Design projects are like puzzles.  Sometimes you can’t see the whole picture until the last piece is in place.  Give yourself time to develop and let ideas gel for the best results.  On the flip side, when something feels right don’t be afraid to own it and run with it.

Your New BFF,  or ultimate confidence builder is an interior designer who “get’s you”….even when you don’t get yourself.  Services for online virtual design work can range from a few hours of bouncing ideas around to full service design.  You may have great ideas.  You may have no ideas .  Either way, what we sell is confidence.

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