Whether you’re redesigning your own home or working with clients professionally, one thing is always true: asking the right questions at the start makes all the difference.
At Sophie Paterson Interiors, we believe that a successful design project begins long before any swatches are pulled or samples ordered. It starts with understanding the client, how they think, behave and live, and that means asking better, more thoughtful questions.
Inside my Interior Design online course, we use detailed, room-specific briefing questionnaires to help guide students through the process of truly understanding a client’s needs. But no matter the room be it an entrance hall, living space, or bedroom there are three key questions I always recommend asking. They’re simple. But they change everything.
1. Who Will Use the Space and How?
This may seem obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Too many designs fall flat because they’re created for an idea of a space, not for the people who will actually live in it.
Ask yourself or your client:
- Is this a space for adults only, or will children and pets use it too?
- Is it for everyday family life or special occasions?
- Will the room be used throughout the day or primarily in the evenings? This will directly influence your lighting choices. For example, a TV snug that’s only used at night might benefit from soft, ambient lighting to create a cosy atmosphere. In contrast, a seating area adjacent to a kitchen is likely to be used at various times for reading, watching TV, sipping drinks, or chatting, so it requires a more flexible, layered lighting scheme to suit different moods and functions.
Understanding the above shapes every decision that follows from materials and durability to lighting, layout, and even acoustics. In my interior design online course we not only breakdown room specific questions, we also provide real life past examples to help you unlock your design vision.
TIP: CONSIDER FUNCTIONALITY FROM EVERYONE’S PERSPECTIVE, NOT JUST YOUR OWN.
2. What Mood or Impression Do You Want the Space to Leave?
Every room tells a story. One of the most transformational questions I ask clients is:
“What feeling do you want to evoke when someone walks into this space?”
It might be calm and serene. It might be bold and dramatic. It might reflect a specific architectural style.
Why does this matter? Because it sets the tone for every aesthetic decision: colour palette, textures, lighting, materials, scale.
Example:
A couple might both love neutral tones, but one wants to unwind and feel calm and the other wants be energised for when they are entertaining guests. The outcomes will be completely different.
TIP: ASK FOR REFERENCE POINTS. IS THERE A HOTEL, HOME, OR SPACE YOUR CLIENT LOVES? WHAT DID THEY FEEL WHEN THEY WERE IN IT?
(In my interior design online course we provide more examples and tips like these to help you discover you or your clients design aesthetic)
3. What Functional Priorities Must the Space Fulfill?
Function is not a limitation it’s the foundation of good design.
This question is about understanding:
- What needs to be stored or hidden away?
- Will there be high footfall or occasional use?
- Are there practical challenges to solve (e.g. awkward layouts, lack of light, accessibility)?
By identifying functional needs up front, you avoid costly mistakes later and can weave those needs beautifully into the aesthetic from the beginning.
TIP: THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT STORAGE. A BEAUTIFUL BUILT-IN CUPBOARD CAN BECOME A DESIGN FEATURE AND A PRACTICAL SOLUTION.
Why These Questions Matter
Too often, designers skip ahead to surface-level ideas, fabrics, colours, furniture layouts without a deep understanding of how the space will serve the people who use it. These three questions act as a compass for your entire project.
Inside the Sophie Paterson Academy Interior Design Online Course, we expand on this process with professionally crafted questionnaires tailored to each room of the home. Students learn to uncover hidden client needs, avoid design missteps, and build spaces that truly work.
You’ll learn:
- How to ask better questions, room by room
- How to translate client answers into moodboards, layouts, and schemes
- How to merge function and beauty in every space
Ready to Design With More Intention?
Whether you’re a design enthusiast or an aspiring professional, mastering the client brief is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal.
Explore how we do it in the Interior Design Course and start transforming your spaces from the inside out.
Want More Behind-the-Scenes Insight?
Watch my YouTube Q&A where I answer your questions on design, business, and my personal life. It’s honest, unfiltered, and filled with the kind of advice I wish I had when starting out.
For more inspiration, explore our portfolio to see how I translate timeless design principles into distinctive, character-filled homes. For exclusive behind-the-scenes content, including project reveals, product collaborations, and more insights into our design process, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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