Whether it’s intentional or not, clients with strong opinions can sometimes hijack the design process. This week, we asked nine designers—Dane Austin, Bari Jerauld, Leigh Lincoln, Trish Lynn, Kelsey Matyas, Rachel Moriarty, Jean Pierre Ortiz, Kristen Peña and Nicole Salceda—to share how they communicate with clients who aren’t shy about their views.
Gentle Push
“When a client has strong opinions, it usually means they care deeply about their home, and that’s a good place to start. My job isn’t to shut that down; it’s to guide it. I let them feel heard first, because most of the time what they’re really saying is, ‘I want to make sure this turns out right.’ From there, I gently step into my role as the expert. I’ll explain the reason behind my choices: function, flow, scale, materials, longevity not just aesthetics. When clients understand that every decision is tied to how their home will live and feel, they’re much more open to trusting the process. I also remind them that they hired us for a reason. Design is what we do all day, every day. We see the big picture, we prevent costly mistakes, and we know how to turn inspiration into a cohesive, buildable plan. It’s not about ego—it’s about experience and protecting their investment. At the end of the day, the best projects are collaborative.” —Nicole Salceda, Eye for Pretty, Danville, California
Collaboration Not Competition
“When a client comes in with strong opinions, I see it as an opportunity, not a challenge. My role isn’t to compete with their taste, but to refine it, balancing emotion with expertise, beauty with function, and trend with longevity. A key part of that process is material knowledge: understanding fabrics, finishes and construction, and guiding clients toward choices that not only look beautiful, but truly perform. Especially for families, thoughtful editing and informed material selection are what transform good ideas into homes that last for years.” —Kelsey Matyas, Kelsey Deirdre Designs, New York
Don’t Mess With Process
“Where I tend to draw the line is around the process. If a client starts to interfere with sequencing or how a project unfolds, I will clearly explain how our firm works and why, based on over a decade of running design projects. Design decisions and timelines exist for a reason, and part of my role is to lead that process.” —Rachel Moriarty, Rachel Moriarty Interiors, San Diego
Don’t Overrule, Educate
“I reframe it. A client who wants control usually fears losing themselves in someone else’s vision. So I’m clear from the start: They have final authority over their home, but I have professional authority over the design process. I make our process deeply collaborative—listening to how they live and what they love, then translating that into solutions they wouldn’t achieve alone. When they push back, I explain my reasoning rather than insist. Most clients appreciate being educated, not overruled. If someone genuinely wants to art-direct every decision, I’m honest: They don’t need a designer; they need a procurement service. Our studio creates cohesive, layered interiors, and that requires trust. In 25 years, I’ve learned clients don’t actually want design authority. They want to feel heard and confident they’re getting something extraordinary. Give them that, and the authority question resolves itself.” —Bari Jerauld, Blank Slate, London
Win-Win Scenario
“We listen carefully and look for ways to thoughtfully blend their vision with our professional insight. Not every idea or inspiration a client brings will work seamlessly in a project, so part of our job is guiding them toward solutions that feel right both aesthetically and practically. This often involves compromise on both sides. For example, if a client wants a bold, colorful area rug but tends to tire of strong design statements, we may suggest incorporating color through smaller, easily changeable elements like throw pillows or accessories. This allows them to enjoy a bold look without committing to something that’s harder to update later. There are also times when we, as designers, need to adapt to the client’s priorities. If a client requests something highly functional—like a medicine cabinet in a master bathroom—we acknowledge that function matters. Even if it’s not the most design-forward element, it becomes our responsibility to source a well-designed option that elevates the space, creating a win-win outcome.” —Jean Pierre Ortiz, n’Pierre Design Studio, New York and Puerto Rico
Challenge Seeker
“To be honest, I quite like when clients have a firm grasp of their sense of style, because they tend to have a greater appreciation of the process and the final result that is more rewarding for all involved. If you have an appreciation for design, you’re more likely to be open to taking risks and stretching out of your comfort zone when paired with a professional designer with access to concepts, ideas, materials and fabrication options that even a design aficionado may not have experience with or exposure to.” —Kristen Peña, Kristen Peña Interiors, San Francisco
Built on Trust
“We’d much rather have a client with a strong point of view than one with none at all. While the latter allows for ultimate creative freedom, we appreciate the push and pull that comes with designing someone’s home. To keep the relationship positive and functional, we strive to treat them as a collaborator while reestablishing our role as the expert. This looks like asking thoughtful questions to understand what they are responding to, and spending time on their style references, past experiences, and desire to have agency in their home. From there, we guide, always bringing the conversation back to function, proportion, materiality and longevity—elements clients often don’t consider when they’re focused purely on the aesthetic layer. Once clients understand the ‘why’ behind decisions, it becomes easier for them to let go and trust the process. And when trust is built, they stop needing to be the authority and get to enjoy being the client.” —Leigh Lincoln, Pure Salt Interiors, Newport Beach, California
Shared Intention
“Often, a client who sees themselves as a design authority is really seeking reassurance. I approach those relationships with curiosity rather than resistance. By asking thoughtful questions and grounding decisions in how the space should feel and function, the conversation naturally shifts from ‘right versus wrong’ to shared intention. Design becomes less about proving expertise and more about creating a home that truly supports the people who live there. The most successful projects happen when passion meets trust, and expertise is shared rather than challenged.” —Dane Austin, Dane Austin Design, Boston
Lead the way
“When a client sees themselves as a design authority, we see it as an opportunity to reiterate our own expertise. We’re confident in leading the creative direction and believe it’s our responsibility to push the design toward the strongest, most cohesive outcome, rather than allowing the process to be steered off course. We always present our strongest ideas first, with opportunities to reiterate on it. When a client begins dissecting the designs, the overall process feels less creative and less intentional. At the same time, we make space for clients to feel heard. We listen carefully to their preferences and understand what resonates with them, then thoughtfully weave those elements into a broader vision that reflects our design perspective. The result is a collaborative process where the client feels valued, but the integrity of the design remains firmly guided by professional expertise.” —Trish Lynn, Colette Interiors, Chatham, New Jersey
