LANDSCAPE
Client-centric Design
By Cassi Hallam
Balancing aesthetics and functionality
As outdoor living trends evolve, one thing remains consistent: The homeowner is always the center of the design. But as industry experts, designers must perform due diligence in aligning the homeowner’ s needs with the highest quality products, achieving both aesthetic preferences and long-term functionality.
Understand the homeowner’ s vision
Great design begins with understanding the homeowner. How do they use their space on a daily basis? What are their goals and dreams for their back or front yards? Do they need assistance in prioritizing based on budget? Listening is crucial in the initial stage, and can be the defining moment for a design team seeking to establish a relationship with a homeowner.
Homeowners entrust their design and installation teams with a significant investment in their homes, so they must feel confident from the beginning. If, during the initial consultation, you discover that the homeowner prioritizes outdoor dining and enjoys entertaining, then take it a step further to ensure they have every consideration for a seamless experience. Proactively offering insights they might not have considered will build trust and reinforce your expertise.
What lighting do they need to ensure their outdoor dining area is usable during all seasons? Would integrating a sound system be worth considering? How will guests experience walking to the outdoor dining
26 OPE + May 2025 space? Do we need to add a paver walkway, pergola, or composite decking solution?
All these questions provide context that tells a greater story beyond the aesthetic details of an outdoor space.
Managing expectations and realities
Although homeowners are enthusiastic, a client-centric approach often requires patience and understanding. If ambitions seem unrealistic, it’ s essential to know when to scale back and when to recommend a phased approach, which meets the needs over time and to a high standard. The goal is always long-term satisfaction and upholding a strong reputation while keeping the client’ s best interest in mind.
The goal is always long-term satisfaction and upholding a strong reputation while keeping the client’ s best interest in mind.
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