An interior design project rarely becomes difficult because nobody had any ideas. It becomes difficult because the important questions were not answered early enough.
Which rooms are included? What must stay? Who makes the final decisions? Does the stated budget include construction and professional fees? Is the deadline fixed, or simply preferred?
A good project brief brings those questions into the open before drawings, sourcing and purchasing begin. It gives the designer a reliable starting point and gives the client a clearer understanding of what the project will involve.
The brief does not need to predict every decision. It needs to define the project well enough for the design process to begin with shared expectations.
What is an interior design project brief?
A project brief is the central summary of what is being designed, for whom and under what conditions. It records the project's objectives, scope, practical requirements, budget, timeline and approval process.
It is not the same as a design concept. The concept explains the creative direction developed in response to the brief. The brief comes first.
For a single-room project, it may be relatively concise. For a complete renovation or hospitality project, it may become a detailed working document supported by surveys, plans, inventories and specialist information.
Whatever the scale, the purpose remains the same: to create one agreed point of reference.
1. Begin with the reason for the project
Start with the problem the project needs to solve, not with a list of desired products.
A client may initially say that they need a new sofa, a larger kitchen or a more modern home. Further discussion may reveal a more useful objective:
- The living room no longer works for a growing family.
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