Crystal Clear: How to Help Clients Visualise a Finished Project
Some clients find it hard to imagine what the result of a project will look like, but there are easy ways you can help
It can be frustrating and time-consuming to try and explain the outcome of a proposed design to clients, particularly if they are not visually inclined. Fortunately, with the latest technology, it’s no longer something you need to struggle with.
We chatted with four design pros on Houzz to learn how they help their clients imagine the result of a project, to ensure that everyone is on the same page right from the start.
We chatted with four design pros on Houzz to learn how they help their clients imagine the result of a project, to ensure that everyone is on the same page right from the start.
How Houzz Pro software tools can help
For Wilkinson, Houzz Pro Mood Boards, a tool that allows you to easily share products, colours and inspiration photos with your clients via a shared Houzz Pro dashboard, has been a game-changer.
“Houzz Pro Mood Boards help my clients see all the materials and selections per room and how the overall scheme will come together. Seeing physical samples is still key to signing off on the selections, however, the use of the Houzz Pro dashboard [where Wilkinson shares her Mood Boards with clients] speeds up the selections process dramatically. It also allows us to update prices and quantities quickly.
“It’s an essential way that we communicate the design scheme to our clients. It allows us to load multiple selections for each item and the client can then narrow down their preferences and we can communicate through the Comment function within the product listing,” she says.
For Wilkinson, Houzz Pro Mood Boards, a tool that allows you to easily share products, colours and inspiration photos with your clients via a shared Houzz Pro dashboard, has been a game-changer.
“Houzz Pro Mood Boards help my clients see all the materials and selections per room and how the overall scheme will come together. Seeing physical samples is still key to signing off on the selections, however, the use of the Houzz Pro dashboard [where Wilkinson shares her Mood Boards with clients] speeds up the selections process dramatically. It also allows us to update prices and quantities quickly.
“It’s an essential way that we communicate the design scheme to our clients. It allows us to load multiple selections for each item and the client can then narrow down their preferences and we can communicate through the Comment function within the product listing,” she says.
“Sharing the Houzz Pro dashboard with clients is a pivotal moment for us making progress on a project. The clients also feel like they are more involved in the process rather than merely observing,” says Wilkinson.
The Houzz Pro Clipper Tool is another feature Wilkinson relies on. “It is an excellent tool to load products into our library so we can quickly populate a Mood Board within a project,” she says.
Learn more about Houzz Pro all-in-one business software
The Houzz Pro Clipper Tool is another feature Wilkinson relies on. “It is an excellent tool to load products into our library so we can quickly populate a Mood Board within a project,” she says.
Learn more about Houzz Pro all-in-one business software
Jane Thomson, principal designer at Jane Thomson Interior Design, says:
When it comes to the importance of visuals for helping clients imagine a finished space, Thomson agrees with Wilkinson. “Many of our clients just aren’t capable of visualising what their proposed new space will look like without some visual assistance,” she says.
“Providing mood boards, renders and floor plans helps them feel more comfortable, not only during the design process, but when installation starts. It alleviates any stress for them and allows us to provide an excellent one-on-one service.”
When it comes to the importance of visuals for helping clients imagine a finished space, Thomson agrees with Wilkinson. “Many of our clients just aren’t capable of visualising what their proposed new space will look like without some visual assistance,” she says.
“Providing mood boards, renders and floor plans helps them feel more comfortable, not only during the design process, but when installation starts. It alleviates any stress for them and allows us to provide an excellent one-on-one service.”
Visual aids and walk-throughs
“I’ll often find that one half of a couple struggles to understand how the design will come together. This is when our visual aids, a good walk-through of the space and meetings to walk them through a render or digital mood board helps them visualise the finished space.
“Fabric and finishes samples are also absolutely vital,” says Thomson.
“I’ll often find that one half of a couple struggles to understand how the design will come together. This is when our visual aids, a good walk-through of the space and meetings to walk them through a render or digital mood board helps them visualise the finished space.
“Fabric and finishes samples are also absolutely vital,” says Thomson.
A digital mood board created by Jane Thomson Interior Design.
Digital mood boards
“Digital mood boards and/or renders are a must for clients who are struggling to understand the result. I generally provide digital mood boards, plus plans and elevations,” she says.
Digital mood boards
“Digital mood boards and/or renders are a must for clients who are struggling to understand the result. I generally provide digital mood boards, plus plans and elevations,” she says.
A product specification list by Jane Thomson Interior Design.
Floor plans and a comprehensive specifications list
Thomson supplies clients with well-keyed floor plans, plus a keyed specifications list with images to give clients a full picture of the finished project. “A redesign is a lot for them to take in. Keying the floor plans and specifications list makes it easy for clients to identify all the items within the schedule,” she says.
Floor plans and a comprehensive specifications list
Thomson supplies clients with well-keyed floor plans, plus a keyed specifications list with images to give clients a full picture of the finished project. “A redesign is a lot for them to take in. Keying the floor plans and specifications list makes it easy for clients to identify all the items within the schedule,” she says.
A flat-lay of finishes and hardware by Jane Thomson Interior Design.
Flat-lay imagery
“We also accompany digital mood boards and/or renders, floor plans and a specifications list with a flat-lay [of the finishes, colours and hardware],” says Thomson.
“With a flat-lay, clients are able to physically handle and experience the textures that are showcased on their plans, schedules and mood boards.
“This combination [of visuals and physical samples] delivers a holistic, professional and cohesive project to the client,” she says.
Flat-lay imagery
“We also accompany digital mood boards and/or renders, floor plans and a specifications list with a flat-lay [of the finishes, colours and hardware],” says Thomson.
“With a flat-lay, clients are able to physically handle and experience the textures that are showcased on their plans, schedules and mood boards.
“This combination [of visuals and physical samples] delivers a holistic, professional and cohesive project to the client,” she says.
A floor plan by Three Little Pigs Colour & Design.
Jacque Yates, principal designer at Three Little Pigs Colour & Design, says:
“Clients are more educated and savvy about interiors than ever, given the influx of choice in the market and images and stimulation everywhere from various platforms and TV shows. But they still often feel overwhelmed, confused and struggle to visualise how spaces will come together cohesively.
“It’s our role as designers to limit the choice to the best solutions, do the homework on the client’s preferred options, and provide the best materials for the project to lessen the load of decision-making, hence making the process effortless for the client,” she says.
Jacque Yates, principal designer at Three Little Pigs Colour & Design, says:
“Clients are more educated and savvy about interiors than ever, given the influx of choice in the market and images and stimulation everywhere from various platforms and TV shows. But they still often feel overwhelmed, confused and struggle to visualise how spaces will come together cohesively.
“It’s our role as designers to limit the choice to the best solutions, do the homework on the client’s preferred options, and provide the best materials for the project to lessen the load of decision-making, hence making the process effortless for the client,” she says.
A 3D render of a finished space by Three Little Pigs Colour & Design.
“We have a set work process that we use and constantly refer back to in order to make the process seamless and help the client [understand what happens at each stage and why],” says Yates.
“After taking a full brief from the client, we always start each project by drawing up the floor plans and elevations in AutoCAD. But often clients can’t see past the black and white of these and struggle to visualise the space, so from here we will do a 3D model, which gives them a good overall view of the space from many different angles, with the application of colour and materials as close to the real samples as possible,” she says.
“We have a set work process that we use and constantly refer back to in order to make the process seamless and help the client [understand what happens at each stage and why],” says Yates.
“After taking a full brief from the client, we always start each project by drawing up the floor plans and elevations in AutoCAD. But often clients can’t see past the black and white of these and struggle to visualise the space, so from here we will do a 3D model, which gives them a good overall view of the space from many different angles, with the application of colour and materials as close to the real samples as possible,” she says.
An overhead view of a finished living room and kitchen by Three Little Pigs Colour & Design.
Physical materials and samples
“We provide detailed documentation of all product selections for each project with actual samples of tiles, stone and fabrics so clients can touch and feel them,” says Yates.
Physical materials and samples
“We provide detailed documentation of all product selections for each project with actual samples of tiles, stone and fabrics so clients can touch and feel them,” says Yates.
The finished space by Three Little Pigs Colour & Design.
Interior design renders
“If we feel that a client is still struggling to fully comprehend the finished look and feel, we will then do renders of the space, which provide a more realistic visual.
“But this is often at an added cost as it is quite time-consuming and therefore not our standard offering,” she says.
Interior design renders
“If we feel that a client is still struggling to fully comprehend the finished look and feel, we will then do renders of the space, which provide a more realistic visual.
“But this is often at an added cost as it is quite time-consuming and therefore not our standard offering,” she says.
A render of a kitchen by Three Little Pigs Colour & Design.
“On large projects, however, I would factor this cost into our design documentation and fee proposal,” says Yates.
“On large projects, however, I would factor this cost into our design documentation and fee proposal,” says Yates.
The finished kitchen by Three Little Pigs Colour & Design.
Visuals as reference points
“I leave a full set of printed plans and 3D renders with the client so they can digest the design over time and ‘see’ their finished space,” says Yates.
Visuals as reference points
“I leave a full set of printed plans and 3D renders with the client so they can digest the design over time and ‘see’ their finished space,” says Yates.
A 3D render of a finished kitchen by SmarterBathrooms+.
Russell Henderson, interior designer at SmarterBathrooms+, says:
For Henderson, providing clients with a comprehensive suite of visuals is crucial. “The client is entering into a building contract so they need to be fully across the process and the expected outcomes. It is a large investment and we want to ensure that they love the outcome.
“Different clients have different [visual] abilities – some can read and understand floor plans, while others need elevations or perspectives to get a complete view,” he says.
Russell Henderson, interior designer at SmarterBathrooms+, says:
For Henderson, providing clients with a comprehensive suite of visuals is crucial. “The client is entering into a building contract so they need to be fully across the process and the expected outcomes. It is a large investment and we want to ensure that they love the outcome.
“Different clients have different [visual] abilities – some can read and understand floor plans, while others need elevations or perspectives to get a complete view,” he says.
A 3D render of a finished kitchen by SmarterBathrooms+.
A full suite of visuals
“Floor plans, elevations and 3D perspective drawings are all really helpful for letting the client understand the spatial layout of a space, especially if the renovation involves moving elements in the room around,” says Henderson.
“Photorealistic renders will show more ‘life-like’ views of the room, which can help the client understand what a colour scheme will look like and where certain finishes will appear.
“Virtual or augmented reality walk-throughs take this to the next level where the client actually feels like they are in the room, but may not be suitable for a small room such as a bathroom.”
A full suite of visuals
“Floor plans, elevations and 3D perspective drawings are all really helpful for letting the client understand the spatial layout of a space, especially if the renovation involves moving elements in the room around,” says Henderson.
“Photorealistic renders will show more ‘life-like’ views of the room, which can help the client understand what a colour scheme will look like and where certain finishes will appear.
“Virtual or augmented reality walk-throughs take this to the next level where the client actually feels like they are in the room, but may not be suitable for a small room such as a bathroom.”
The finished kitchen by SmarterBathrooms+.
Before and after plans and elevations
“When the layout of a room is being reconfigured, a before and after plan is critical. If there is a lot of detail, say in a wall of kitchen cabinetry, it is usually helpful to have critical elevations prepared as well.
“3D-perspective drawings can help the client spatially visualise the room better – most modern drafting programs allow you to rotate and manoeuvre [the image] to take in different view points of the room,” says Henderson.
Before and after plans and elevations
“When the layout of a room is being reconfigured, a before and after plan is critical. If there is a lot of detail, say in a wall of kitchen cabinetry, it is usually helpful to have critical elevations prepared as well.
“3D-perspective drawings can help the client spatially visualise the room better – most modern drafting programs allow you to rotate and manoeuvre [the image] to take in different view points of the room,” says Henderson.
The finished kitchen by SmarterBathrooms+.
Different perspectives
“Photo renders of the 3D perspectives help the client understand the theme of finishes and colours. But they take time to get really accurate and do not necessarily highlight textures and grains to their best. When they are done well, these photorealistic images can really assist the client in understanding the finished product – but at the same time they often airbrush the truth and present a perfect version of reality, which is something you often see in real estate development brochures,” he says.
Different perspectives
“Photo renders of the 3D perspectives help the client understand the theme of finishes and colours. But they take time to get really accurate and do not necessarily highlight textures and grains to their best. When they are done well, these photorealistic images can really assist the client in understanding the finished product – but at the same time they often airbrush the truth and present a perfect version of reality, which is something you often see in real estate development brochures,” he says.
The finished kitchen by SmarterBathrooms+.
Opportunities for clients to touch and feel
“Textures, colours, patterns and [timber] grains are subjective and renders, no matter how good, are no substitute for having a physical sample,” says Henderson.
“Being able to view and touch samples of the materials and finishes is crucial. Putting together a mood board of finishes, colours and items is, I believe, the best way of allowing the client to appreciate the tactile elements of the renovation.”
Your turn
How do you help clients ‘see’ the outcome of a project before it’s done? Tell us in the Comments below.
More
Want more expert insights from fellow pros? Don’t miss our Experts Reveal: 8 Laundry Must-Haves That Come Highly Recommended
Opportunities for clients to touch and feel
“Textures, colours, patterns and [timber] grains are subjective and renders, no matter how good, are no substitute for having a physical sample,” says Henderson.
“Being able to view and touch samples of the materials and finishes is crucial. Putting together a mood board of finishes, colours and items is, I believe, the best way of allowing the client to appreciate the tactile elements of the renovation.”
Your turn
How do you help clients ‘see’ the outcome of a project before it’s done? Tell us in the Comments below.
More
Want more expert insights from fellow pros? Don’t miss our Experts Reveal: 8 Laundry Must-Haves That Come Highly Recommended
“Some clients find it hard to visualise spaces in 3D, especially if they don’t come from a creative background,” says Wilkinson. “Often they will have been collating images of spaces they love for a while before coming to see us, but struggle to see how the inspiration images will translate to their property.
“Some find it hard to visualise all the materials working together. For most of our clients, they will only build or renovate once in their lifetime and they may find the number of choices they need to make overwhelming,” she says.