EP 384 | Interior Design Clients & Budgets: When the Client Isn’t Right with Kimberley Seldon
July 9, 2024
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What happens when your client wants everything—but their budget says otherwise?
In this episode, Kimberley Seldon tackles a common challenge in interior design: clients with unrealistic expectations. When the wish list doesn’t match the budget, it’s up to you—as the professional—to lead the conversation, protect the project, and guide better decisions.
Through a real project example, Kimberley shares how to navigate these situations without losing control, profit, or client trust.
If you’ve ever felt pressured to “make it work” when it simply doesn’t, this episode will give you a smarter way forward.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why interior designers—not clients—must lead project decisions
- How to guide clients toward smarter spending choices
- Why indecision costs clients time and money
- How to prioritize spending for maximum impact
- Why the budget and wish list rarely match—and what to do about it
DESIGN INTERVENTION
The client’s budget and the client’s wish list are never in alignment. It’s my job, as the expert, to price the client’s wish list. Once I give the client a realistic budget for the whole wish list, they’ll be in a better position to make good decisions.
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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and provides general business advice for interior designers and design professionals. It is not intended as individual legal, accounting, or professional guidance. Kimberley Seldon and Business of Design® make no guarantees regarding accuracy and are not liable for how information is used. Strategies shared may not apply to every situation—listeners should seek qualified legal, financial, or professional advice before making business decisions. References and resources mentioned may change over time.