Working with Premium Clients: 10 Rules for Designers

Working with premium-class clients is an opportunity to gain unique experience and bring bold design ideas to life. Often, working with such clients requires strict adherence to a code of conduct. Elena Krylova, an interior designer and project author for stars of the entertainment industry, renowned public figures, and the banking sector, shares her rules for working in the VIP industry.

Elena Krylova - Expert Interior Designer of the Premium Class, Head of Her Own Design Studio

Be a Good Psychologist

Psychologically understanding people is a valuable and necessary quality for designers. It's important to understand the client, their lifestyle, and what they like. Pay attention to their words, habits, and interests. But don't be too pushy or ask too many questions.

Pay Special Attention to Details

Details define the success and status of a project. For demanding and discerning clients, there are no trivial matters, and everything is important: from the overall color scheme to cabinet handles and spoon holders.

The more thoroughly you develop all the details, the more you show your attention to the project and professionalism.

Combine Practicality and Client's Wishes

First and foremost, a designer must create a practical interior where the client feels comfortable and lives easily. However, it's also important to integrate their interests in music or sports, favorite style elements, decorative items they love. But never at the expense of solving the main practical tasks.

Maintain Financial Transparency

Financial transparency must be absolute everywhere: in budgeting and pricing. The wealthier the client, the more meticulously they may approach financial matters and count every ruble. It's in your interest to ensure no questions or doubts arise at this stage.

Choose Brands Thoughtfully

This rule is closely related to the previous one: don't offer the most expensive items in premium projects. It's better to focus solely on quality, appropriate style, and don't force the client to pay extra for brands if they don't have such a preference themselves.

Maintain Professional Distance

Frequently, designers and clients develop friendly relationships because you communicate quite closely with the person for many months and learn a lot about them personally. However, maintaining a certain distance with premium clients will only benefit and earn respect from them.

Adhere to Deadlines

Punctuality at meetings, adherence to agreed timelines, and strict reporting all enhance confidence in your professionalism. Thanks to the authority you've built up, it will be easier for you to propose ideas and resolve disputes.

Collaborate with Verified Contractors

Keep in mind that any force majeure is the designer's responsibility. It is in your interest to collaborate with verified and well-recommended suppliers. Even if any problem arises, it will be much easier to resolve it with familiar people.

Work Only Under Authorial Supervision

A complex and expensive project should always be under authorial supervision. You must fully and completely be responsible for the project, constantly monitor the renovation process, and ensure the final result matches the initially approved idea as closely as possible.

Be Flexible and Loyal

Working with premium clients involves high risks that designers assume. Complex and disputable situations can arise in such client relationships, where neither contracts nor approved drawings and references will play the main role. Therefore, flexibility and loyalty are essential for designers in this context.

Illustrations: Design Projects by Elena Krylova.