You’ve decided to hire an interior designer, exciting! You’re picturing new textures, organised spaces and rooms that finally feel resolved. But before any concepts appear, there’s one small thing that quietly determines the entire outcome: your brief.

A well-considered brief turns “I’ll know it when I see it” into a roadmap for design clarity. It captures how you live, what you value and the atmosphere you want to come home to.

At Kaiko Design Interiors, we treat the brief as the start of the story, a shared language between your life, our process and ultimately the outcome. Below, we explain how to prepare one that inspires, directs and delivers.

Why the Brief Matters?

A design brief is more than an admin step. It’s the heartbeat of collaboration. It tells your designer who you are, not just what you like.

A clear brief helps you:

Define priorities and non-negotiables
Align expectations for scope and budget
Avoid miscommunication and costly changes
Give creative freedom within clear boundaries

Many clients aren’t sure how to describe their style and that’s normal. Our job is to interpret, ask the right questions and connect the dots.

(For more on selecting the right fit, see How to Choose an Interior Designer in Sydney.)

What to include?

Think of your brief as a balance between the practical and the personal, where facts meet feeling. It’s about what you need your home to do, and how you want it to make you feel.

The Story
What’s driving this project? A growing family, a long-awaited renovation, or the simple desire for a calmer, more cohesive home? Knowing the “why” sets the tone for every decision ahead.
How You Live
Design is lifestyle translated. Be honest about daily rhythms morning rituals, work-from-home needs, weekend entertaining, even pet habits. The more we know about how you live, the better the design works for you.
Your Aesthetic Compass
Show us what you love (and what you don’t). Pinterest saves, hotel photos, or even film stills reveal tone and texture preferences. We’re not copying a look we’re translating a mood into something tailored and enduring.
The Practicalities
Include must-haves like storage requirements, existing pieces to keep, or building constraints. Sentimental or high-value items like a rug or artwork or heirloom often become starting points for colour or proportion.
Budget & Timeline
Be upfront. Transparency lets your designer guide you on where to invest and where to simplify. (Our Pricing overview explains typical fee structures.)

What to Bring to Your First Consultation?

Arrive with:

Mood images or inspiration saves
Plans or sketches
Notes on what’s working (and what isn’t)
Any favourite materials or finishes

We will use this information to develop a concept that you love and work with you collaboratively.

PREVIEW: EARLY CONCEPTS TAKING SHAPE - RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGN AND DECORATION

see the full process

How Kaiko Design Interiors Interprets Your Brief

At Kaiko Interior Design, interpretation is both intuition and precision. We listen for what’s said and what’s not. Our team distils your information into a clear scope, functional priorities and a tonal direction.

That clarity guides the creative process: from concept to documentation to final styling. The result is a home that feels effortless yet intentional, expressive yet calm and unmistakably yours.

Why This Step Builds Trust

The best design partnerships are built on understanding. A thoughtful brief helps both sides work with purpose, transparency, and respect. It’s how good ideas become great outcomes.

The brief isn’t paperwork it’s connection in written form. It’s where trust begins.

Ready to get started?

Book your complimentary consultation

If you’re ready to start your renovation or want to understand if we’re the right fit for your project, book a discovery call with Kaiko Design - or send us an inquiry and we will call you back

How to Brief an Interior Designer