What kind of interior design client are you? What kind of interior design do you actually need?
Are you an interior design client at all?
No one asks these questions. But not everyone is an interior design client—because not everyone is in a position (or a mindset) where interior design will do what it should do for them.
Just like someone can buy a treadmill then leave it to collect dust, interior design for the sake of interior design is destined to fail. It will follow trends. There will be no personality behind it. It won’t do what interior design is MEANT to do:
Shape each space to the way you want to live in it.
If that’s something you think you want, keep reading to learn what kind of interior design client you’re really meant to be. This comes down to your lifestyle priorities as well as what else you have going on in your home…
The Different Kinds of Interior Design Clients
Here’s the truth: understanding whether you need an interior designer (and if so, which kind of design help you need) will save you time, money, and stress.
Otherwise, you could end up googling “paint color consultations” only to realize after the fact that you actually need a furnishing consultation to fit your old furniture into your new home! Let’s avoid that, shall we?!
Interior design is about more than making your home look good…it’s about creating a space that works for you, enhances your life, and makes you feel amazing every time you walk through the door.
So, grab a cup of coffee (or wine—no judgment here!) and see which of these interior design paths you’re on…
Are you the overwhelmed renovator?
Meet Mariana and David. They’re deep in the middle of a kitchen and living room renovation, and things are…not going as planned.
For starters, the contractor keeps asking them to choose finishes without giving them many options. And their Pinterest boards? They’re all over the place. Mariana’s drawn to sleek, modern designs, while David dreams of something classic. They’re at a standstill, and every decision feels more haphazard than the last. They’re starting to see how their new space will certainly be refreshed, but it won’t actually reflect their personalities—it will be “done just to be done.”
It’s a huge disappointment, but they’re feeling defeated.
If you’re planning or already in a renovation, do you find yourself fearful that you’ll make the wrong choices…and might regret them for years? Do you think your project is at risk of being “done just to be done,” without transforming into a space you genuinely feel joyful to step into? Do you still dream of walking into a space that flows effortlessly, making you feel proud and at peace every single day, yet you can’t see how that space is supposed to come together?!
If you’re nodding along, jump ahead to Design Overhaul.
The dream home builder…
You meet Rachel and Oliver, who are happily planning their dream home build. The blueprint looks perfect on paper…but…how do they know it’ll actually feel perfect to live in?
Rachel’s worried that the builder’s default finishes won’t match her vision, and Oliver? He’s more focused on the quality of everything behind the walls…the corners cut in contemporary building leave him VERY worried about their investment.
They both feel the weight of making this house theirs, and a true sanctuary where every detail reflects their life and values…and lasts.
If you can relate, jump to the Lifestyle Home Build Concierge.
You might also be interested to know: Who really needs an addition?
Are you a moving visionary?
Next, meet Deborah. She’s moving into a new home…and staring to realize how much of her furniture might not fit in her new place!! It’s not a question of size—it’s a question of the size and shape of each room, the direction the sun comes in from, how she plans to use each space, and how she wants this new home to be a better reflection of her personality than the old one was!!
Deborah doesn’t know how to make it all come together. Should she keep the sectional? Replace the dining table? And where on earth is the best place for her grandmother’s antique mirror?!
If Deborah’s situation is like yours, jump to New Home Personalization.
Where virtual interior design steps in…
Let’s talk about Emmett. He lives several states away from our Keller, Texas office, but desperately needs help with his family room. It’s big, it’s beige, and it’s BORING. Emmett has a vision, but no clue how to execute it…and he does NOT want to fill the space with what everyone else buys from Pottery Barn!!
Is this what you’re up against? Head to Virtual Interior Design and Sourcing to see…
Are you the furnishing perfectionist?
Finally, meet Priya. Her home is mostly decorated, but something feels…off. The couch looks tired, the lighting doesn’t offer anything special, and she’s totally “over” the mass-market options she keeps seeing online. Priya craves something unique and high-quality—pieces that make her home feel truly hers.
Is this case speaking to you?! Jump to the Custom Furnishing & Selections Experience.
What’s the verdict?
So, are you an interior design client? Which homeowner are you? No matter where you are in your design journey, there’s a path—and a service—that leads to Loving Your HomeTM every day that you’re in it.
Interior design is a service you don’t just want, it’s one you need. You need it if you fall into one of these cases. And you need it to resolve the problems you face, not just generate a list of products to buy for some cookie-cutter style or look.
The next step is easy: reach out to me!! Together, we’ll figure out exactly what you need and how to make it happen. Let’s create a home that works for you, wows your guests, and fills your life with joy…because that’s what Return on EnjoymentTM is all about.
Interior Design Services
Design Overhaul
If you need Design Overhaul service, I step in before or during a renovation and create a cohesive design plan that aligns with your vision (and yes, I can mediate those style debates). From space planning to sourcing high-quality finishes and furnishings, I ensure your renovation ends in a masterpiece, not just, “well, at least it’s done….”
Lifestyle Home Building Concierge
In my Lifestyle Home Building Concierge service, I work between you and your builder to create a holistic design plan and ensure that every detail reflects your lifestyle…and your expectations of quality, maintenance, and performance. Imagine walking into your new home and feeling like it was made for you…because it was!! Think of me as your advocate, your translator, and your creative visionary—all rolled into one.
New Home Personalization
You feel that tug—the desire for the home you just bought to reflect you. My New Home Personalization service is designed for this exact moment. I’ll evaluate your existing furniture and décor, assess what stays and what goes, and source the perfect pieces to complete your space. Together, we’ll turn your new house into the home that feels exactly right.
Virtual Interior Design and Sourcing
Enter my Virtual Interior Design and Sourcing service…where you get custom design boards, layouts, and shopping lists tailored to your space and style. All done virtually! I use my exclusive sourcing connections to find pieces that make your home shine. Wherever you are, I’ve got you covered!!
Custom Furnishing & Selections Experience
My Custom Furnishing & Selections Experience is the answer for those design-only transformations. I source one-of-a-kind furnishings, lighting, and décor that elevate your home to the next level…in look AND quality. Say “bye” to cookie-cutter designs and “hello there” to a home that feels authentically yours (and leaves no shortage of “wows” from your guests).
Inquire with me today, and let’s make magic happen!! Get ready with these 25 questions to ask your professional interior designer.
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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