Describe what needs to improve
Begin with the home as it works today. Which rooms feel difficult to use? Where is storage missing? Does the kitchen suit daily routines? Are there spaces that are rarely used?
Write down practical problems alongside aesthetic preferences. “More storage near the entrance” gives a designer a clearer task than “a more luxurious hallway.”
Include the needs of children, older family members, guests and anyone working from home.
Set priorities before choosing finishes
Divide the brief into essential work, preferred improvements and optional additions. This helps the team explain choices when the available budget or programme cannot accommodate everything.
It also makes it easier to protect the project’s main purpose while reviewing individual specifications. State whether the budget needs to cover furniture, appliances, professional services and temporary accommodation, as well as construction.
Identify changes that need early coordination
Tell the design team if the renovation may involve a home lift, altered stairs, relocated bathrooms, a different kitchen position or major changes to openings.
These proposals need assessment before the interior layout is treated as final. For a lift, the selected model, structure, landing access and services should be coordinated with the renovation drawings.
The guide to planning a lift during a villa renovation explores that relationship. If space is still being assessed, also review the dimensions to discuss with your lift supplier.
Explain material preferences through daily use
Alongside colour and style references, explain how the home is used and maintained. Discuss cleaning preferences, pets, children, frequently used rooms and the level of upkeep the household is comfortable with.
Ask to review samples and understand the care requirements of proposed finishes before approving them. Mark what you like in each reference image: the layout, lighting, colour, joinery detail or overall atmosphere.
Agree how decisions will be made
Identify the main client contact and who approves layouts, materials, costs and changes. Discuss whether the family will remain in the property and how that affects access and sequencing.
A decision schedule can help the team request approvals before they affect purchasing or site work. Record agreed changes so the drawing set, scope and budget can be kept aligned.
Common questions
Do you need a complete design brief before the first meeting?
No. Floor plans, photographs, a priority list and a few explained references are enough to begin a more focused discussion.
When should a home lift be considered during renovation planning?
Raise it at the start of the brief. Its feasibility and requirements should be assessed before layouts, structural proposals and surrounding finishes are finalised.
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A considered project starts with a clear brief.