When working with an interior designer it is important for the client to define their goals for the project. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to change the whole look and feel of the room? Tackle a remodel project or your out dated master bathroom?

Don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed we can come to the rescue! Below are a list of questions to ask yourself when you going through the initial thought process. Remember, designers have the creative and technical knowledge to achieve your goals.

• Define the areas of trouble. What is it in that room that you don’t like? Make a list of needs and wants.
• Establish items that you want to keep. This might be family heirloom or an expensive piece of art.

• What inspires you? Spend a couple of bucks the next time you are at the grocery store and get an interior design magazine. We recommend Traditional Home, House Beautiful and Elle Decor. Tear out sheets that you like and jot a note down of why you like them. This helps an interior designer establish the style  you are drawn to and can easily invision your style. If you can’t decide what you like about a picture you see, tack it up on the wall like this one from Potterybarn below and come back to it with a fresh mind or show it to your interior designer. They can see common threads in the pictures you have selected.

• Establish a budget! Look at the dollars you have allocated and decide what is important to you. Where do you want to spead more money? Maybe get the nice hardware for the bath and pick out a less expensive custom shower curtain to hang up. It is all about choices. Looking at how you live and where you want to spend your money will help in establishing this budget. You usually want to spend money on the things that are hard to change, for instance plumbing or countertops or sofa and rugs.