Interior Design Trends – Small Kitchen Remodeling Tips

As the most popular room in most homes, kitchens are often the most important space for a homeowner during a remodel. With so many appliances to consider, remodeling a small kitchen presents some unique challenges to you as a designer. Yet, reimagining these small, high-traffic, heavily used spaces has become one of the more frequent interior design trends today.Cooking up a small kitchen design that results in a space as delicious as the meals prepared within it is not easy but, with some examples of successful small kitchen remodels from HGTV.com, we would like to offer a few ideas that will make your mouth water and your taste buds tingle.

Outdated Kitchen Before Remodel

These homeowners realized they needed to take action on their kitchen when the 70s called and asked them to send it back. Though not the smallest kitchen we’ve seen, the outdated look and feel caused by the dark wood and blue walls made the space seem smaller than it actually was and reduced the full use of the space available.

Outdated Kitchen After Remodel – WOW!

open kitchen design

After a makeover from HGTV's Fixer Upper hosts Chip and Joanna Gaines, this kitchen feels far larger, even with the addition of a center island. By removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room, the entire home feels more open. The original cabinets were painted white for a fresh look that also reflects light and the new appliances add a serious touch of class.

Rental Property Kitchen Before Remodel

small kitchen remodeling tips

OK, now the 60s are calling! It’s tough to generate decent income on a rental property when the kitchen is not only small, but dank, dark, and as unappealing as this one was before a makeover. The ugly vinyl flooring and dark cabinetry created multiple opportunities for reimagining and improving this space.

Rental Property Kitchen Reimagined

basement kitchen remodel

A basement apartment can be a tough sell in the best of times, because of the tendency for them to feel confining and a bit claustrophobic. Here though, and without adding a single square foot of new space, this room feels far more spacious with white upper cabinets, attractive wood flooring, and contemporary appliances. By keeping the cabinets light on top, the entire space feels more open, airy, and user-friendly.

Small Kitchen Rehab Required

kitchen rehab project

Back to the future, much? Poor design plus a lack of care by the owner turned this space into a disaster. While this little kitchen had good bones and great potential, the water damage that warped the lower cabinets had made half the small space unusable.

Kitchen Rehab Works Wonders

beautiful small kitchen design

Welcome home, Marty… It’s a whole new world! Host Nicole Curtis of HGTV's Rehab Addict was able to save the space with new hardwood flooring and gorgeous marble countertops. The new-look feels more spacious and is definitely more functional with brand new lower cabinets with a fresh coat of white paint.As an interior designer, walking into poorly designed and outdated kitchens like the ones above can seem daunting. Yet, the chance for you to show off your creativity and talent is also obvious and impossible to resist.As small kitchen remodeling projects continue to be one of the hot interior design trends as homeowners continue to downsize, a sharp interior designer will be ready to get to work and cook up some hot and tasty ideas to meet the challenge.Looking for more new design trends, marketing tips, new products and furnishing ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Designing Your Design Business – Successful Designers Business Model

designers business model

While it would be unethical to copy the work of a more successful interior designer, learning from a successful designers business model makes perfect sense – and does not present the question of ethics.In his latest article for BusinessOfHome.com, columnist Maury Riad presents a glimpse of just such a business model and offers it as a guide for both fledgling and established designers to follow on the path to lasting success.While it should go without saying that clarity of focus and organization are two of the most crucial business principles every design business should follow, many designers struggle to achieve them. If profitability depends on performance at every level, and it does, then building a cost-effective process for implementing the work you do is crucial.3 (+1) Characteristics of a Successful Design BusinessSo, where does Mr. Riad focus his attention?

1. Operational Procedures – “The big difference that I’ve noticed between a designer who is just starting out and a more established studio lies in their operational procedures. It may sound obvious, but a major key to any design firm’s success is business practices that are organized, efficient, and thorough. Where working with a new designer may require a lot of back and forth about a handful of purchase orders or invoices, an established, profitable firm can juggle thousands of these processes at any given time.”

2. Vendor Relationships – “Profitable designers know how to leverage their vendors as extensions of their teams to get their work done. Any given design firm works with a wide range of vendors – whether they provide fabric, furniture, or flooring – and knowing what their vendors can do for them is crucial to their success.”

3. Elevated Design Opportunities – “The whole impetus behind hiring an interior designer – besides having someone else do the legwork for you – is the idea that they can find the decor that clients can’t achieve themselves. This ties back into maintaining good relationships with your vendors… [and] involves knowing who to go to and what to ask for. The right pieces or components elevate your design above the ubiquitous DIY aesthetic that is so popular today – and are the reason your clients will seek you out.”

What’s the +1 Design Business Characteristic?While each of these business characteristics of successful designers is vitally important to your success, we would add:

1. Contractor Relationships – The contractors and subs you work within any design project can make or break your business. These folks will often have more direct contact with your client than you do, which makes the relationship you have with them critically important. Building positive relationships with talented and committed contractors foster loyalty toward you – investing them in the success of your design business because they know that their success is dependent on yours.

While most of these characteristics of aa successful design business may seem obvious, the truth is that many designers struggle to craft and implement something that matches the most successful designers business model. By focusing on these four areas of your business, you are far more likely to enjoy long-term success.Are you looking for more tips on designing your design business, new home design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Know Your Greatest Tool for Building Relationships with Interior Design Clients

What is your greatest tool for building relationships with interior design clients? Is it your talent and creativity? Is it your commitment to excellence? Is it your network of contacts, your great sub-contractors, your wonderful home furnishing suppliers?While all of these characteristics are important for establishing and maintaining client relationships, it can be argued that your most important tool is understanding… Fulfilling the need for your clients to understand and address the many ways in which their lives change during a remodel.There are many costs a homeowner will bear during even the most modest remodel of their living space, not least of which are the stress, chaos, and confusion that will affect their daily lives until the renovation project is complete.As an interior designer, you are the expert on the things that happen during a remodel and the best thing you can do for your clients is to prepare them as well as you can for the potential upheaval they will likely experience.Prepare Your Clients for Potential CommotionBuilding relationships with interior design clients rests, primarily, on your ability to assure them that you have their best interests in mind. If you hope to build relationships that last, let them know that they should be ready for:

• Changes to their daily schedule – Many homeowners have a routine they follow without fail: first morning coffee in the breakfast nook while planning their day or yoga/meditation in the den, perhaps. That quiet cup of coffee in the AM will need to be sipped elsewhere during a major kitchen renovation. And, their “me time” will have to be taken in a new location while the den is being remodeled.

To keep them “in the know” and happy despite the disruption, let them know, in advance, how the project may change their daily schedule.

• Dusty days are ahead – The transition from a spotless living space to a dusty environment created by a major remodel is tough to accept for many homeowners. If you warn them in advance that, despite the efforts of your contractors to limit dust with barriers and such, there will be days when those irritating specks will float and travel.

Here again, communication is the key to keeping expectations in line with reality, while helping your client understand that the end-goal should be their focus – a beautiful result – rather than temporary discomfort.

• Coping with homeowner stress – It almost goes without saying that some homeowners respond emotionally to the sight of their home being torn apart. The stress this can cause may sometimes get the best of them. Your understanding and calming influence will go a long way toward helping them cope with the stress of a major renovation.

Have a conversation early on and let them know that you are in control of the changes they are seeing take place and that, in the end, it will all be well worth it.Again, communication and managing expectations are the key to keeping your clients happy through the potential chaos of a remodeling project. Assure them that your goal is to make the renovation go as smoothly as possible, but there will be things that they will need to adapt to.Keep in mind that building relationships with interior design clients means long-term growth and success for your business.Are you looking for more tips on interior design success, new home design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

New from Kravet – Fabric Collections from Brunschwig & Fils

Fabric collections may be the very foundation of interior design. Because fabrics and finishes play such an important role in any good interior design project and decoration, they are one of the most fundamental elements a designer can use to achieve a specific presence and style within a particular space; whether a home or office.A savvy designer works hard to find fabrics that define the character of the space in which they’re working. Yet, accomplishing this is can be difficult, because both colors and textures must be combined in ways that ensure that the result will be simply stellar.With the introduction of three new fabric collections from Brunschwig & Fils, your job as an interior designer has just become much easier – with fabrics that convey more than character and variety, they also reflect sophistication, culture, and taste.Below, we present three stunning new fabric collections from the world-renowned weavers at Brunschwig & Fils.Cevennes Fabric Collection from Brunschwig & FilsNew from B&F comes Cevennes. Named for a cultural region and range of mountains in south-central France, these are a collection of beautiful fabrics that offer a “Sophisticated Escape” – from the everyday. The sheer variety and stunning presentation of this collection make these new fabrics impossible to resist.Alsace Weaves Fabrics Collection from Brunschwig & FilsAlsace Weaves by B&F is a stunning collection of fabrics that reflect the mix of cultures found in its namesake region, bordering as it does Germany and Switzerland along the Rhine River. With a new take on old-world European designs, these lush fabrics present an original perspective on a traditional palette.Normant Checks & Stripes Fabric Collection from Brunschwig & FilsThe Normant Checks and Stripes fabrics collection from B&F puts a new face on a traditional look. Refined yet sophisticated, the range of colors and textures, from muted to bold and from crisp to bulky, present interior designers with the opportunity to satisfy the palette of any homeowner or office manager.Looking for more new home furnishings and fabric collections, the latest interior design trends, marketing tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Designing Your Design Business – Your Design Studio is a Good Investment

Does it still make sense to invest your hard-earned revenue in a design studio when online shopping has become so popular? In a word, yes.In a previous post, we shared the importance of designing a strategic business plan for your business. Here, we argue that investing in a design studio should be an integral part of that plan; a comfortable and stylish place to schedule face-to-face meetings with potential clients, as well as a beautiful space that allows you to share your vision with them.The reason for this is simple: despite the popularity of internet shopping, and your concurrent need for a quality website to showcase your talent, potential clients will want to touch and feel samples while also meeting you personally. You also get to know them better and both of you will benefit from engaging in an environment that promotes building a relationship.This is simply impossible to accomplish in the impersonal world of the internet.Brick-and-Mortar Locations Remain Valuable Client Acquisition ToolsIn a recent article at BusinessOfHome.com, editor-at-large Maury Riad makes a compelling case that traditional brick-and-mortar design centers remain important to vendors in the age of internet shopping.If that is true, then investing in a design studio also remains important to interior designers, for some of the same reasons:

• Brand building – Building your brand, a unique identity within your market, is difficult to do in an environment that is flooded with competitors from around the world (as the internet is). On the other hand, a well-designed retail location puts you right in front of clients and potential clients. Being able to see and speak with you directly will only enhance your brand as one of the few designers willing to make such an effort – and investment.
• Reputation enhancement – Like building your brand, building your reputation in a highly competitive marketplace is difficult in the extreme. In-person contact with potential clients, and being available to existing and past clients, ensures that you will be seen as a designer who is committed to customer service and satisfaction. And, since interior design is above all things a local business, enhancing your reputation locally offers massive potential for success.
• Relationship building – Building relationships is critical to your long-term success as a designer. We’ve said it before (here) and will say it again: repeat customers are more valuable than new customers since they are more likely to buy from you and are less costly to engage, offering you a far greater ROI. Your design studio is the perfect place to re-engage with them and build a lasting relationship that can lead to future work for them. It’s a win/win for both of you.
• Vendor support – Vendors love to support interior designers who feature their furnishings in their design studio. They tend to offer better pricing and larger discounts, sneak previews of new designs, priority shipping, enhanced payment terms, and even cash-back promotions that can help reduce overhead. Such vendor support can be invaluable to your business and you should take advantage of these types of relationships whenever possible.
• Community involvement – Being seen as an integral part of your community will automatically build brand recognition, enhance your reputation, and leads to great relationships and profitable networking opportunities. It is also fulfilling on both a professional and personal level. Get involved and make your mark in your community, if you hope to have long-term success.

While it may seem to make sense that the expense of maintaining a design studio in the internet age flies in the face of logic, for the reasons listed above, and more, a brick-and-mortar location makes perfect sense for the success of your design business.Looking for more tips on designing your design business, new home design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Designer Business Building Tip – When You See Obvious Interior Design Mistakes

According to a recent article at HGTV.com, there are several common home design mistakes that DIY homeowners make. For today’s designer business building tip, we would like to highlight some of the most challenging situations you may see when you’re approached by one of the do-it-yourself types of client. (Or, would that be former do-it-yourselfer?)While you have to admire their conviction and determination, their lack of design experience and training often takes the DIY designer to a place they would rather not be. As a talented interior designer, when you see obvious design mistakes, you know it’s not your place to make negative judgments about their choices. Instead, your job is to offer design solutions they will enjoy.When the TV Dominates Living Room DesignPerhaps the most common design mistakes from DIY homeowners is this one: designing a room around the television while allowing the TV to dominate the space. While understandable to some extent, since this is where many families gather, it can leave guests wanting.Despite a lovely, comfortable living room design, the TV dominates this space to the point of distraction. This will force guests to focus on electronics rather than their hosts, and vice versa. When you see a room like this, your challenge will be to keep the focus where it belongs, with a living room design that emphasizes people; both guests and hosts.When Style Trumps ComfortFor the uninitiated, the style will often take precedence over comfort – and even utility. When a sharp designer is confronted with a situation like this, stylish alternatives will come quickly to mind.Regardless this dining room may look to your client, or you, the purpose of the chairs is to be sat on, hopefully in comfort to make the dining experience pleasant (at a minimum). Choosing dining chairs based solely on a trendy style, rather than comfort, is a definite DIY design mistake. As a designer, your challenge would be to maintain the look and feel of this space, while dramatically increasing the comfort of the diners.Choosing Inappropriate Design ThemesConsistent design themes make a strong impression and increase comfort in a space. However, decorating too much in the same print can be overwhelming and tacky.A home's decor needs to be authentic and provide a sense of where you are, as well as who you are – as a homeowner and as an interior designer. Bringing order to chaotic or inappropriate design themes is a challenge you will likely see fairly often. Be ready!Unbalanced Furniture PlacementFinding balance in design choices can be difficult, especially for the DIY homeowner. For example, a sofa with mass cries out for smaller surrounding pieces to compliment it.Some people don't have an eye for furniture arrangements, and cannot balance a room. Shifting the pieces in this room to make the space more dynamic would be challenging, so replacing some for them may be necessary. If the furniture has sentimental value to your client, it can always be used in another room, as long as it adds balance to the new space.Cluttered Spaces DominateWhether you find a cluttered kitchen or disarranged family room, cluttered spaces dominate many homes. Although many homeowners deny caring, claiming they’re “not trying to impress anyone,” clutter adds stress and discomfort to any home.Helping your clients reduce clutter throughout their home will enable them to enjoy the space and feel more relaxed. It may also increase the value of their home, which is also a good thing. As we’ve said so many time here, the kitchen is truly the heart of most homes and the hub of family activity, but all this activity can cramp your kitchen's style. Piles of dirty dishes and countertops crowded with small appliances aren't appealing.Are you looking for more business building tips for your design business, new home design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

New Brunschwig & Fils Patterns and Colors from Les Touches

At the Kravet blog, we have recently been introduced to some exciting new Brunschwig & Fils patterns and colors from their iconic line, Les Touches.Les Touches is one of the most recognizable patterns in Brunschwig & Fils extensive catalog. The classic design has spanned decades and taken on many forms over the years, but one thing has always remained true: it is perennially loved by interior designers.This stylized animal pattern was originally developed from a post-World War II folio of photographs. The delicate pattern looks hand-painted on the surface, offering a softer take on the striking design. With its latest offering, Brunschwig & Fils is introducing nine new colorways, bringing the total color offering up to 18. This beautiful and original assortment lends itself to many different interior aesthetics. The new colors and patterns include a range of neutrals with pops of tangerine, berry, and peridot.Brunschwig & Fils’ Expands Offering with New Colorways from Les TouchesDesigner Danielle Rollins, who famously also creates clothing out of Brunschwig fabric, says Les Touches can stand on its own in any room. “I love Les Touches because it is the classic bright happy go anywhere print. It can make a dominant statement on its own or it can bridge other patterns perfectly,” says Rollins.For other designers, it’s about Brunschwig & Fils’ strong heritage within the design industry. “I love the legacy of Brunschwig fabrics – so many of my favorite patterns are decades-old, yet still feel very current,” says Marisa Friedman.Les Touches is also admired for its versatility. The linear pattern, depending on its color, is suitable in a traditional and modern setting alike. “Les Touches is such a classic pattern, yet it lends itself to almost any style. In this case, I wanted to emphasize the playful nature of the pattern in a sunny, casual master bedroom,” says Liz Grina.This versatility also allows the pattern to make its own statement in a room, or coordinate with more bold motifs. “It can play off any lead fabric and the movement works with almost any other scaled fabric,” says Emily Gonzalez. “Les Touches is so great because I can mix it in as a geometric print or a floral when needed and it is always relevant in any space and in any style.”Over the years, the Brunschwig & Fils design studio has reinvented this iconic pattern – as a print, an embroidery, a wallpaper and more. Throughout this rich history, Les Touches remains a tried and true, time-honored Brunschwig & Fils classic.If you would like to discover more of what’s new from Brunschwig & Fils home furnishing designs, Contact TD Fall today.

Interior Design Trends – Is sustainability a sustainable design choice?

Not to burst anyone’s bubble here but, in the world of interior design trends, many things come and go – and often disappear before many realize they’ve been and gone. Thus, we have the question: Is sustainability a sustainable design choice?While it can certainly be argued that less is more, the trend toward what has become known as “sustainable solutions” may be unsustainable; a passing fad that could create more problems than it solves.Sustainability is the process of people maintaining change in a balanced environment. It is the idea that the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations. (GlobalFootprints.org)And yet, this begs the question of exactly what both “balance” and “harmony” mean, relative to “human needs and aspirations”.It must be said that, to some extent, the idea of sustainable interior design may have its foundation in the “woke” generation of PC millennials; as well as others who enjoy displaying their “consciousness” as a virtue, rather than as a real commitment.Is Sustainable Interior Design Really a Thing?Having said that, as a sharp interior designer, it makes sense to be aware of the impulse in your clients, millennials, and others, toward sustainable interior design.From sustainable architecture to sustainable interior design and even landscaping, homeowners are increasingly looking to create a living environment that is energy efficient, requires few resources, and which has minimal impact on the environment.Also known as “green design”, and according to AllArtSchools.com, sustainable interior design tends to focus on:

• Maximize the efficient use of space – Efficiently used interior spaces can keep the size of a building and, therefore, the use of construction materials and other resources to a minimum. Micro-housing developments, or “apodments,” serve as one solution in cities with quickly growing populations. They typically are 300-square feet or less and feature built-in amenities such as a refrigerator and microwave. Some developments are LEED-certified.
• Use energy-wise construction and design materials – Interior designers can work with windows and doors that maximize energy efficiency, wood flooring that comes from rapidly renewable sources like bamboo, water-saving toilets, and other environmentally responsible materials.
• Use materials produced in a socially responsible manner – Use furniture and products from sources that promote safe manufacturing processes and socially just business practices. When possible, use local sources.
• Reduce waste by using reclaimed or recycled materials – Fortunately, antique and vintage décor is an option for interior designers. Furniture and decorative items can be repurposed, refinished or otherwise refurbished to give them new life. For the truly environmentally conscious, tiles, carpeting, fabrics, even sinks and counters, can be made from recycled materials.
• Plan for energy-efficient lighting – Clever interior design can incorporate windows and skylights to maximize the use of daylight and minimize artificial light. When artificial lighting is needed, LEDs, halogen bulbs, and compact fluorescent light bulbs save energy and last longer.
• Use non-toxic and non-polluting products – An increasing variety of safe and chemical-free products are available, from organic, hypoallergenic paint to fibers and woods that haven’t been treated with pesticides.

It must be noted that the phrase “socially responsible” is usually subjective and can easily lead to disagreements based on personal opinions. Try to avoid challenging such expressions of “wokeness” when possible, to keep the business relationship intact.The key here for an intelligent interior designer is to be willing to genuinely pursue sustainable design solutions while not being mislead by clients and potential clients who are merely virtue signaling their desire, without a genuine commitment to sustainable interior design. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a non-sustainable business relationship that could become quite costly, and which could pollute your reputation.Looking for more tips on interior design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Designer Marketing Tips – Who is Your Ideal Client (and what do they want from you)?

Like any business, there are certain things you need to do to market yourself as an interior designer. One of the most important designer marketing tips we can offer is that you must create an ideal client profile – a not-so-imaginary sketch of the type of client you would most like to work with.It should go without saying that, as a designer, you must identify your audience if you hope to give them what they want. Having said that, many business owners do not invest the time needed to do this. Instead, they hope and pray their products or services will somehow find an audience on their own. This is unrealistic and almost certain to result in disappointing leads and sales results.There is only one way to reach an audience that is open to your message: you need to know exactly who they are and what they want from you. Creating an ideal client profile will enable you to attract, connect with, and convert potential clients into paying clients – and fans of your work.Of course, this is going to take some research but, it should pay off in the long run. Keep in mind, your goal is to figure out who would benefit the most from your design services. This means you need to know what they like and dislike, how they spend their time, and what their other interests are. This will allow you to find them more easily, make deeper connections, and serve their needs better.Who Are You Working For – Creating Your Client ProfileHere is a list of questions to ask yourself about the audience you want to focus on:

• Where does your ideal client hang out?
  • Are they at offline locations? Does your ideal client hang out at Starbuck’s, chatting with like-minded coffee lovers? Do they hang out at certain clubs or social functions? Do they travel to various business or design conferences?
  • Do they prefer online locations? Is there a “favorite” blog your audience prefers? What about online forums where they swap ideas or critiques of design projects they’ve seen or been a part of? Whose Facebook page is most popular with your potential clients? What other social networks do they love? Whose webinars are they unable to resist?
• What does your ideal client watch, listen to, read? Those you hope to attract as clients may already be part of an audience for someone or something so, it makes sense to find out who or what they love to watch, listen to, and read. Like most of us, they’ll be happy to share the things they enjoy or learn from. Be open and absorb all they have to say – without judgment.
• Who are their mentors and other influencers? You're going to find some trends among your potential clients; subjects, designers, and other influencers who will show up regularly in their comments and shares. Who stands out among your audience and why? Once you identify the Big Names in your niche, you’ll be better able to provide insight and value that meets or exceeds what they are offering to your hoped-for audience.
• What are their other interests? Beyond simple stats (like age, gender, location, ethnic background, education level, and career), your ideal clients will also have interests outside your niche. What else are they passionate about and how do they fulfill that passion? A fully developed client profile has much more value than a simplistic one, enabling you to better serve their needs as their designer of choice.
• What professional enrichment, trainings or events do they attend? Real fans (of anything) tend to invest their time, energy, and resources in more than their own design projects. Many of them will travel to see and meet their favorites in person. Others may invest in training to learn more about the subjects that matter to them. Attendance at speeches and seminars by well-known interior designers or trainers is an indicator that your future audience will be committed to the interior designer who speaks to their needs. Make that designer be YOU!

Remember, you are not a member of the audience you are looking for and it doesn’t matter what you think of the things they enjoy doing, or how they spend their spare time. This is all about them!By narrowly defining your ideal client profile, by putting together more information about them rather than less, you are much more likely to identify the perfect fan for your design services.Looking for more tips on interior design success, new home design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.

Interior Design Marketing Trends - Using Social Media for Luxury Brands

It is unfortunate that some luxury brands treat social media as just another sales tool – or avoid it altogether. This is a Huge Mistake! Rather, luxury brands should view social media as the powerful engagement tools they are, enabling them (and you) to stay in touch with current customers, while boosting their reputation among those who aspire to the lifestyle they promote.For example, the Louis Vuitton Facebook page has over 23 million likes. It is highly unlikely that all of these folks are paying and loyal customers. Instead, a large portion of this community is an aspirational fan base; literally, the future of the company.Understanding this offers massive potential for lead generation, client acquisition, and engagement to those of us in the interior design and luxury furnishings industries.Affluent Consumers Use of Social MediaAccording to Warc.com, an online service that offers advertising best practice, as well as evidence and insights from the world's leading brands, 98% of consumers who planned to buy luxury and had a household income of at least $250,000 used digital platforms to communicate, with 71% of this group specifically using social media.What does this mean to marketers of luxury brands? It means that affluent consumers engage with social media platforms as much, if not more so, than do less prosperous consumers.Consumers of every income level employ a variety of online platforms to shop, get an expert opinion, to get support or to learn in general, to read reviews of products or services – and yes – to complain about those very same products or services. This means that “social influencers” can help you satisfy each of these client needs on different channels. They assist you in spreading your brand’s core values.Social Media Feedback Can Influence Buying DecisionsWhile it may be true that, as a luxury brand, you have exclusivity playing in your favor, reserved only for the exclusive few, scarcity. Social media, on the other hand, is all about opening your brand up and reaching the biggest audience possible. Luxury brands and social media are no longer incompatible!You can still make the most of the social space without compromising exclusivity.Just how important can social media engagement be for a luxury brand? According to MarketingLand.com, if your brand receives positive or negative feedback within the world of social media, it can have a profound effect. Don’t believe me? Take a look at these numbers:

• 90% of consumers who recalled reading online reviews claimed that positive online reviews influenced buying decisions
• 86% of consumers said buying decisions were influenced by negative online reviews

Social Media is like an amplifier for your brand message that allows you to tell the story of your brand while providing a behind-the-curtain look at what makes your brand so great. Why tell stories? Because stories often help to sell products. Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of marketing, and engagement. As humans, our brains are hard-wired to listen and like stories.Some strategies that luxury brands can utilize:

• Engage and Communicate – User-generated content creates a sense of ownership and direct engagement. Let your customers speak for you on how they love your products. Social media has become the 21^st Century version of word-of-mouth marketing.
• Boost Brand Identity – Build a dialogue about the effort that goes into providing the best service possible or the quality craftsmanship that goes into your products.
• Target your Audience – Active social media engagement enables you to gain deeper insights into who your target audience is, as well as what your customers like and dislike.
• Manage your Reputation – Maintaining your image and reinforcing your brand is a large part of your marketing efforts.

Looking for more information on how to use social media to marketing your luxury brand? Check out these articles:

• How Can Luxury Brands use Social Media?
• How Luxury Brands Can Create Authenticity on Social Media

Are you promoting top-end services and luxury furnishings on social media? How has it worked for you? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below.Looking for more interior design marketing tips for your business, new home design trends, online marketing tips, and our luxury furnishing product lines? Get in touch with TD Fall today.