How an interior design consultation works
Interior design can feel like a closed world if you're not in it and if you've never worked with a designer, it's easy to assume it's not for you. That's changing. Design consultations exist precisely for people who want expert direction without committing to a full, ongoing project.
Here's what one actually involves.
What is a design consultation?
A consultation is a shorter, targeted session focused on the problems you're facing in your home right now. This could be anything from a room that doesn't feel right, a colour you can't settle on or a layout that feels wrong. You leave with clear direction and the tools to move forward yourself, rather than handing the whole project over.
It's interior design advice without the commitment of a full-service designer.
What gets covered
Every designer structures this differently, so it's worth checking what's included before you book. At Studio Scheme, sessions can cover:
Furniture layout and flow
Colour schemes and finishes
Fabric and material sourcing
Practical fixes for a room that "feels off" but you can't say why
A single session typically works best for two or three problems affecting one room. I offer more in-depth sessions if you want to explore an additional room, or go into even greater detail on one room. Trying to cover more than that in one sitting means everything gets less attention than it deserves.
Preparing for your session
Preparation is key for getting the most out of the time. Ahead of a consultation, I’ll share a questionnaire to understand more about what you’d like help with and ideally you'll share photos of the space, and any images that have inspired you. The more context you give, the more targeted the advice.
What you come away with
After the session, you'll receive a written summary of everything discussed, along with the recommendations covered. If you'd like a personalised shopping list built from the conversation, that's available as an add-on for an additional fee.
Who it's for
Most people fall into one of two groups:
Those who are fairly confident in their choices but want an expert to sense-check them, or a mental block cleared
Those who want a professional eye on a project, without the scope of a full design service
It's common for a single consultation to lead somewhere bigger as once people see how much ground can be covered in one focused session, some go on to book an In-Depth Consultation covering multiple rooms.
Curious whether a consultation is the right fit for your space? Get in touch for a no-pressure chat about what would work best for you.