Furnishing and decorating focus on the movable elements, colour and finishing details of a room. Agree on whether the appointment includes advice, a measured layout, product selections, purchasing or installation. Construction and technical alterations need a separate scope.
Take stock before shopping
List the pieces you own, their dimensions and what you like about them. Decide which have to stay, which could move to another room and which no longer work. This makes the brief more useful than a collection of images with completely different furniture.
Set the layout before the shopping list
Check how people enter, sit, converse and move around the room. Include side tables, lamps and useful surfaces in the plan. A furniture footprint is only part of the decision: seat heights, reach, maintenance and delivery access affect everyday comfort too.
- Measure the room, windows and existing pieces.
- Compare samples in the actual space.
- Keep a list of sizes and clearances.
- Agree on priorities if the room will be furnished in stages.
Understand the purchasing arrangement
Ask who places orders, receives invoices, handles returns and follows up on damage or delays. Clarify whether trade pricing, procurement fees or markups apply. Keep the design fee separate from the cost of goods, freight, storage and installation.
Finish deliberately
Art, textiles and objects work best when there is room for them in the overall composition. Leave some decisions until the larger pieces are in place. There is no need to buy everything at once to have a coherent home.
Questions, answered.
What is the difference between a designer and a decorator?
In everyday use, decorating often concerns furniture, colour and finishing details, while interior-design work may include broader planning and technical coordination. Titles and credentials vary by jurisdiction. Compare the actual deliverables and the professional’s relevant qualifications.
Can I purchase the furniture myself?
That can be agreed as part of an advice or design package. Confirm what product information you receive, how substitutions are handled and whether the designer reviews alternatives after the selection stage.
Do I need to replace all my furniture?
No. A brief can prioritize keeping existing pieces, reworking their layout and filling only specific gaps. Share the items you want to retain before a design direction is developed.