The Anatomy of a Furniture Consultant’s Toolkit

Each furnishing project begins with a vision, and it is this vision that becomes the driving force behind the undertaking. This is the crux of furniture consultancy, where the full potential of a space is realised and the visual ideation of that potential is defined. The vision is an essential part of a furniture project because it helps the furniture consultant:

• Understand the expectations, goals, and preferences of the client to better define the success of the project.

• Understand the potential of the space and the boundaries for what is possible in the project.

• Present a clear, actionable solution to the client that provides a clear, agreed-upon path forward.

• Build excitement with the client and expose opportunities that can be seized before the execution of the project begins.

Before moving to the action stage, where tasks are put into motion, it’s the job of a furniture consultant to translate their and their client’s shared vision into tangible designs that designers and project managers can use. This is where art and science converge in furniture consultancy The consultant needs to use certain skills and tools to do this.

• Analysis and surveying of the space are required to determine the limitations and foundational direction of the design. There will be unmovable elements like windows, beams, and load-bearing walls that simply cannot be changed whereas power outlets, doorways, and partitions may be altered.

• Software like CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is used to create an accurate layout of the space and implement furniture placement. Use of CAD means different iterations of furniture placement are virtually limitless, giving the consultant the freedom to test multiple ideas.

• 3D rendering tools enable the consultant to visualise the final design or design options and present these to the client in a way that makes it easy to imagine the space in real life.
• Progressive technological innovation can even enable consultants to give their clients immersive VR and AR experiences that allow them to feel what it’s like to actually be in a space before executing the project. 
• Colour theory, design trends, and ergonomics need to be considered at the planning stage and the consultant should have a good understanding of these to implement the right choices in the design plan.
• Other client expectations like sustainability goals, budget limitations, and time frame for completion must be accounted for to bring together a project that meets all the KPIs. The consultant must work around all of these requirements when creating the design.

We’ve already touched on the use of CAD and 3D rendering software, but there are a few more tools and software platforms in a furniture consultant’s toolkit. Let’s go through them now.

Digital Tools Used by Furniture Consultants

Physical Tools Used by Furniture Consultants

The role of a furniture consultant in the client relationship balances between proactive communication, managing expectations, and expert guidance. The consultant must know how to take on board the opinions of the client to prioritise their requirements and expectations but also know when to push back with an expert perspective. It’s the responsibility of the consultant to ensure the best possible outcome of the workplace design project by marrying their own vision with that of the client, built on a framework of unmoveable metrics like budget and lead time.

So what skills does the consultant need to possess to maintain good client relationships and ensure the ROI of a furniture consultancy project?

• Maintaining open lines of communication and providing consistent and regular updates.

• Proactively seeking and evaluating feedback, implementing aspects of feedback and explaining why.

• Using critical thinking to overcome design restrictions, constraints, and unforeseen challenges in opportunistic ways.

• Creative problem-solving to seek out unique solutions that align with client expectations and fall within the boundaries of the project.

• Lateral thinking to open the project up to new perspectives, unforeseen opportunities, and connections.

How can these skills be applied in the real world?

Innovation is essential to keep up with the constant revolution of furniture consultancy. Where consultancies compete to offer more cutting-edge design capabilities, future-proof solutions, and exciting creative approaches, it’s imperative to stay abreast and offer enticing USPs.

Tech Integration

Remote and hybrid working models adopted in 2020 propelled the evolution of technology in the workspace. Now, technology is not a luxury but a necessity for teams to work cohesively at all times, no matter where they are.

Our work with Leonardo in Newcastle challenged us to incorporate dynamic tech elements through bespoke, advanced furniture. This included sit-stand adjustable desks and a custom-made Lano Table created by Orangebox for their VC room, optimised for video conferencing. With privacy paramount in this workspace, we installed Air 20 Minipods created by Orangebox which featured glass and soft-acoustic panelling to create a serene and confidential work environment.