Every designer has heard it: “I want something timeless,” “I don’t like color,” or “No chandeliers, please.” These phrases, seemingly clear, are often anything but. As you already know, interior design is as much about interpretation as it is about inspiration. The language your clients use is often steeped in personal memories, anxieties, and half-formed ideas. What they say isn’t always what they mean, and learning to decode their “design dialect” is essential to your process. We’re here to help you get it right.
Decoding Vague Vocabulary
Words like “modern,” “minimalist,” and “Victorian” are practically Rorschach tests. What one client calls “modern” might be Bauhaus-inspired minimalism; for another, it’s midcentury with a touch of boho. The term “minimalist” rarely signals a love for austere white spaces. Instead, it’s often code for a clutter-free environment with warmth and intentionality. Clients want serene, not sterile.
“Timeless” is another shapeshifter. It’s often used when clients fear their choices won’t age well. They don’t necessarily want beige-on-beige. They just want assurance that their space won’t scream 2025 in a bad way five years down the line. It’s your job to interpret that as a call for solid design fundamentals: scale, proportion, craftsmanship, and materials that last.
It’s Not the Fixture, It’s the Feeling
What clients think they want is often rooted in how they want to feel. When someone says, “I want my home to look like a five-star hotel,” they’re probably not asking for glossy marble and stiff symmetry. They want calm, luxury, and a sense of escape. Likewise, when someone insists on “no chandeliers,” they may just have a deep dislike of the stereptypical crystal pendants, not all ceiling-mounted fixtures with arms.
The “I don’t like wallpaper” crowd? Usually they’re haunted by a DIY disaster from 1987. Introduce them to modern materials, clean installations, and the versatility of today’s offerings, and you’ll often find a swift change of heart.
Unpacking Design PTSD
Many of these misunderstood design desires stem from past experiences. “No gold” doesn’t necessarily mean no warmth. It often means no brassy, shiny 1990s fixtures. Brushed brass, antique gold, or unlacquered finishes may be exactly what they’re craving once they see it. Same with “no window treatments.” It’s less about rejecting function and more about bad associations with dated valances or poorly fitted blinds. Show them the light!
Don’t take these statements at face value. Instead, dig deeper. Use samples, renderings, and reference images to peel back the layers. Often, you’ll find that their dislikes are simply bad memories in disguise.
Color Confusion Is Real
Color, perhaps the most subjective element of design, is ripe for misunderstanding. “No color” might mean no neons, not an absence of color. It could also signal fear, not preference. For some, choosing color triggers anxiety about making a wrong move. That’s where you come in, not just as a designer, but as a guide. Ease them in with texture, tone, and layered neutrals. As their confidence grows, so will their palette.
Control vs. Collaboration
When clients say, “I want my kids to design their own rooms,” understand this for what it often is: a gesture of inclusion, not delegation. Most parents want the illusion of choice more than they want a Minecraft-themed bedroom. Offer options. Let the kids engage in the process while steering the final decision through the lens of your professional vision.
Developing a shared vocabulary takes time. The most successful client relationships are built on repeated conversations, clarity, and education. Be kind, be curious, and most importantly, be patient! The more you invest in interpreting their design language early on, the fewer surprises you’ll face mid-project. So next time a client declares, “I hate wallpaper,” don’t panic. Pour a coffee, grab your swatches, and start the real conversation. That’s where the design magic begins.
