Before the first meeting: what to measure and gather

The first conversation about a room is more useful when there is something to look at together. None of this is required — but each item saves a question later.

Measure what you can

A tape measure and a rough sketch go a long way. Note the length of each wall, where windows and doors sit, and the height to the ceiling. Mark anything that can't move: pipes, switches, a beam, a column.

Photograph the room as it is

Take photos from each corner, looking into the room, and a few close-ups of anything that bothers you. Daylight photos show the light the room actually gets.

Collect what you like — and what you don't

Pictures of rooms you like are helpful; notes on why you like them are more helpful. The same goes for things you want to avoid.

Think about how you use the space

Who uses it, when, and for what. Where things pile up. What you reach for every day and what comes out twice a year. This shapes storage more than any style choice.

Have a budget range in mind

It doesn't have to be precise. A range lets the designer suggest materials and scope that fit, rather than presenting something you then have to cut back.