How to Prepare for the Initial Design Meeting

Alicia Thomasson
Jun 11
2 min read

You’ve made the exciting decision to hire an interior designer—now what? At Alicia Thomasson Interiors, we connect with each prospective client at an initial meeting. This on site meeting allows us to see the full scope of the project, while simultaneously gathering tons of information about your style, your goals, your family, lifestyle, and more.

Whether you’re renovating, building, or furnishing a space, here’s how to prepare so we can make the most of our time together:

Woman in plaid coat smiling as she enters through a wooden door into a home, holding a black bag.

1. Clarify Your Scope

Before our meeting, take time to think about what you want to accomplish.

Make a list of:

Spaces you want to address
Must-haves vs. nice-to-haves
Pain points in your current spaces
Timelines

2. Gather Inspiration

We love visuals! We can gather so much information about the style you are going for from a few images you are drawn too. Share with us any:

Pinterest boards
Magazine clippings
Instagram saves
Photos of spaces you love (and even some you don’t)

These help us quickly understand your aesthetic preferences—even if you can’t quite describe your style yet.

3. Know Your Budget Range

Having a realistic investment range allows us to tailor the design, scope, and recommendations to what makes sense for you. We’ll always be transparent about what’s possible and guide you through decisions that maximize value and beauty.

4. Prepare to Share How You Live

Design isn’t one-size-fits-all. We’ll ask about your routines, family needs, entertaining style, storage struggles, and more. The better we understand how you use your space, the more personalized, practical, and life changing the design will be.

5. Come With Questions

This is your time to ask anything! Common questions include:

What does your process look like?
What’s the timeline for a typical project?
How do you work with builders and contractors?
What’s included in full-service design?

No question is too small—we’re here to guide you.

Two women in a bright kitchen, one showing an open drawer, both smiling. Neutral tones with gold accents.

What Happens Next?

After your initial meeting, we’ll follow up with a custom proposal that outlines the scope of work, design fee, and next steps. From there, we begin the exciting journey of bringing your dream home to life.

Ready to get started?

Your dream home begins with one conversation. At Alicia Thomasson Interiors, we make the process seamless, personal, and inspiring from day one.