What are the implications for today’s interior designers?   Two years ago, most designers could never envisage working from home or doing most of their meetings online.   This is something that will continue to grow over the coming years. 

Online Consultations

In a way, being able to do most of my meetings online has freed up my time for actually designing, instead of just travelling around attending meetings. Since I do a lot of computer modelling, I have found it easier to display my work from my home office which my computer set up.   It is nice to have face to face meetings of course, but often my work is compiled in a presentation and it is just as easy to show virtually as present in person.   

Site Meetings

I am still happy to go to site meetings but prefer if my clients are masked.   Unless you know them well, in a business setting it is appropriate that you are masked.  The real estate industry has been a leader in this field and they have set standards for viewings that could carry very easily over to interior design.  I would warn clients in advance when you send them your confirmation of their consultation.  

Measuring

I don’t think I would be personally comfortable letting my clients measure up in my place. However, I think most clients stay out of your way when you are measuring up anyway as it is pretty boring and I have never managed to chat and measure up a the same time.   

Terms and Conditions

It’s important that you build all your mask-wearing protocols into your terms and conditions.  Ensure that your trades and clients are warned in advance.  If your clients or trades don’t respect your wishes then it does not bode well for your partnership in the future.