What do you do if your clients' emotional needs clash with your commercial interior design vision?

I always found it important to find balance between professional expertise and personal touch, because as a designer I am empathizing with my clients. So I first try to understand that the space I am assigned to design will impact my clients' daily life, either in the professional or in private setting. So I acknowledge their concerns and show that I am considering their feelings in all my design decisions by involving them in the design process. This helped me to align my vision with their emotional needs, creating a sense of ownership and satisfaction.

Active listening in this scenario involves empathizing with the client's emotions while gently aligning them with the design vision. Acknowledge their feelings, clarify their concerns, and respectfully explain how your design choices meet their functional needs and aesthetic preferences. Offer alternatives where possible, ensuring they feel heard and involved in the decision-making process. This builds trust and enhances collaboration.

> Listen to their emotional connection to the space and why certain elements are important. > Creatively explore design options that combine your vision with elements that fulfill their emotional needs. > Ensure the final design achieves the commercial goals while still feeling welcoming and aligned with their emotional preferences.

I particularly like the explaining to the client the benefits of the design choice and not just aesthetic. Commercial interiors meet a number of objectives and ideally they should be able to drive productivity. Understanding the main priority of the client before execution of anything helps in the communicating back your role as a designer to the client and how you are their to help them achieve all their goals. This communication should be as black and white right from the beginning

Imagine your client want to open a café that reflects her cultural heritage, which is emotionally important to her. She has some traditional artefacts and family souvenirs she wished to display. However, the building is a modern commercial space, and your vision is contemporary. Incorporate the client’s preferred earthy tones into the modern design, creating a warm atmosphere that also is up-to-date. Instead of scattering the artifacts, create a focal point where the significant pieces will be showcased, blending them with the contemporary elements. This approach allows you to honor the client’s emotional connection to her heritage while achieving a functional and aesthetically pleasing unique commercial space that tells a personal story!

For me, succesful design is a narrative and emotional: Every space tells a story. In best case, an emotional one! As a designer, I am not just arranging furniture and choosing colors; I am crafting a narrative that reflects the client’s identity and journey. The psychology behind how spaces affect mood and behavior is a critical aspect of design. Understanding principles like the effects of color on emotion or the need for personal space always guide me to more empathetic design choices.