What are the best practices for sourcing furnishings and accessories during an interior design pitch?

1 Know your budget

Before you start looking for the perfect pieces, you need to know how much you can spend on the furnishings and accessories for the project. Your budget will determine the quality, quantity, and variety of the items you can source, as well as the timeline and delivery options. You should also factor in the costs of shipping, installation, taxes, and fees. To avoid overspending or underdelivering, you should create a detailed budget breakdown for each room and category of items, and stick to it as much as possible.

2 Research your client

Another important step is to research your client's needs, preferences, style, and lifestyle. You want to source furnishings and accessories that match their taste, function, and comfort. You can use various methods to gather information about your client, such as questionnaires, interviews, mood boards, Pinterest boards, or online quizzes. You should also visit the space you are designing, take measurements, photos, and notes, and observe the existing furniture, colors, textures, and lighting. This will help you avoid any mistakes or mismatched items.

3 Explore your sources

When you have a clear budget and client profile, you can begin to explore sources for furnishings and accessories. Depending on the scope, timeline, and style of your project, there are several options available. Online retailers offer a wide selection of products, prices, and styles, but with potential issues like limited availability or return policies. Local stores allow you to see the products in person but may have higher prices or delivery delays. Wholesale vendors offer lower prices and bulk discounts, but may have minimum order requirements or membership fees. Custom makers can provide unique, personalized products, but often come with higher costs or longer production times. Consider the pros and cons of each source and compare them based on budget, client's expectations, and project goals. You should also diversify your sources by using a mix of different types of products such as new, vintage, or repurposed items.

4 Create a presentation

The final step is to create a presentation that impresses your client with your vision, creativity, and expertise. You can use various tools and formats to present your selections, such as floor plans to show the layout of the furniture and accessories in the space, renderings to show realistic and detailed images of the design, boards to show samples, swatches, photos, and descriptions of the products, and stories to show the inspiration and concept behind the design. It's important to prepare your presentation in advance and practice it before the pitch. Additionally, anticipate any questions or feedback from the client and be ready to explain or modify your choices. Don't forget to follow up with the client after the pitch and provide them with any additional information or documents they may need.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?