The journey to a new interior begins long before floor plans are drawn or materials are chosen. It starts with simple questions — how do you live, what do you love, and what do you want to feel in your space? These reflections become the foundation for every design decision.
Many people feel a bit uncertain before their first contact with an interior designer — and that’s completely normal. You might wonder: What should I expect? What do I need to prepare? Where do I even start?
This article is your first step toward confident interior design preparation — helping you understand what’s worth knowing before any work begins.
Interior Design Preparation: Where to Begin ?
The first step before starting any collaboration is taking a bit of time for yourself. Interior design isn’t just about the walls — it’s about the life unfolding within them. That’s why, before meeting with a designer, it’s worth reflecting calmly on how you currently use your space — what works, and what doesn’t.
Think about what truly matters to you: Do you want more coziness? A clearer layout? More natural light? A more functional kitchen? Maybe you’re longing for a space that sparks creativity — or, on the contrary, one that helps you slow down and recharge.
You don’t need to have all the answers — just a willingness to understand your own needs better. The designer’s role is to help refine those needs, but the clearer your starting map, the easier it will be to move forward.
Style Directions and Visual Inspiration During the Preparation Stage
Aesthetic is not just about colors or furniture shapes. It’s about the mood you want to feel in your space. To make the design process smoother, it’s helpful to reflect on what kind of environment feels natural to you — what inspires you, and what feels off. This might include interior photos, favorite materials, travel memories, or even films whose atmosphere speaks to you.
If you use Pinterest, Instagram, or simply have saved images on your phone — all of that can be a great starting point. Even if the visuals seem very different, a designer will help uncover the common threads: mood, style, proportions, or recurring textures.
What matters most is not finding the perfect photo, but expressing a feeling. Are you drawn to warmth and wood textures? Or do you prefer clean lines and monochrome calm? Your emotional response is the most valuable input — it’s the key to creating a space that truly feels like home.
Budget and Project Scope – A Key Part of Interior Design Preparation
Although budget often feels like a “technical” topic in interior design, it’s actually one of the most important factors that guides decisions from the very beginning. A clear budget isn’t a limitation — it’s a framework that helps define what’s possible and where it’s worth investing more.
Before starting a collaboration, it’s helpful to define your expectations: do you need only a stylistic direction and inspiration? Do you want to see your future space clearly through 3D visualizations? Or are you looking for a full technical project with detailed plans and material selections? Each service requires a different level of time, involvement, and of course — budget.
If you’re unsure about what exactly you need, we recommend exploring our interior design service packages, where you’ll find a clear overview of each offer, its scope, and key differences. Understanding your budget and desired scope early on makes it easier to take confident steps throughout your interior design journey.
What Information Is Helpful to Share Before Starting a Project
To ensure the first stage of the design process goes smoothly, it’s helpful to prepare a few simple but important details. First — photos or a short video of the current space. These help convey the room’s proportions, lighting, functional challenges, or even its hidden potential.
Any existing floor plans are also very useful — cadastral layouts, diagrams included in purchase documents, or even a hand-drawn sketch showing the approximate layout. Even if it’s not a technical drawing, a rough sketch offers an early sense of the space’s structure. It’s also helpful to know the total square footage — this allows for an accurate assessment of project scope and helps choose the most suitable service.
If you’ve collected inspiration images that reflect the mood or style you’re aiming for — whether from Pinterest, Instagram, or simply photos of spaces you like — these are a great starting point. Visual references make it easier to understand your aesthetic preferences and design direction, even if you haven’t fully defined them yet.
The First Step — Simple and Clear
Starting a collaboration with an interior designer doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, a few photos, a general sense of the space, and a feeling of what you’d like is more than enough. Even if you don’t yet have a clear vision — that’s perfectly normal. That’s exactly why the creative process begins together.
To make the first step easier, we’ve prepared a short questionnaire. It allows you to easily share your situation, needs, and inspirations. This is the first step toward creating a more accurate, personal, and tailor-made interior.
If you feel ready to begin preparing for your interior project, start with a simple step — answer a few questions and let us get to know you better.