Does this sound familiar?
A client asks if the wallpaper seam could be a little straighter. They wonder if the wood tones are “too warm” in the morning light. They don’t love the grout color, even though it was exactly what they approved.
You think: no problem. This is fixable.
But it doesn’t stop. Suddenly, you’re in revision round five of what should’ve been a two-week install. Your vendors are tense, your team is frustrated, and you’re waking up at 2 a.m. wondering if that one baseboard really is off by a hair.
Welcome to the perfectionist project. Even when things go right, it doesn’t feel like enough.
And no one talks about how emotionally exhausting it is to design for someone who’s never satisfied. So we did.
We asked the Interior Design Community how they deal with perfectionist clients, especially during renovations when emotions (and budgets) run high. Their stories were vulnerable, strategic, and refreshingly honest.
Perfectionism Isn’t Just About Aesthetics—It’s About Control
“Perfectionists are often anxious. They fixate on details because it gives them a sense of control. Your job is to make them feel safe, not just stylish.”– Heather McManus, @interiordesignstudio
Set the Stage Before They Start Micromanaging
“I walk them through what’s normal: seams in wallpaper, wood variation, handmade tile inconsistencies. I literally say, ‘This will not be a showroom. This is a real home.’ And then I write it into the contract.”– Lauren Ashley, @lashelldesign
“I don’t move forward without sign-off, because perfectionists will rewrite the entire plan unless there are parameters.”– Jennifer Lynn, @jlynninteriors
You Can’t Outwork Their Anxiety
“If your client’s anxiety becomes your anxiety, your work suffers.”– Cheryll Gillespie, @cheryllgillespiedesigns
“It’s not your job to heal someone through sconces.”– Anonymous designer
Renderings Help. Boundaries Help More.
“Renderings, samples, side-by-side comparisons. The more they can see, the less they question. Uncertainty fuels nitpicking.”– Kate O’Hara, @ojinteriors
“We include two rounds of revisions in our fee. Anything beyond that is billed hourly. That’s the boundary.”– Gina Sims, @ginasimsdesign
The Perfectionist/Narcissist Crossover Is Real
“This is the most complicated because who is to judge 100% perfection?! The sad reality is that this never ends well… I have actually found these clients to be narcissists… Best to negotiate an end as soon as possible because it will strip you of joy, ruin relationships with vendors, and take you away from your other paying work.”– @planarchitecture
“Narcissists are really good at hiding red flags in the beginning. They are very charming… and then it shifts.”– @bakerhesseldenz
Not Every Client Deserves to Be Kept
“I once had a client who made us repaint the trim three times. The third time was because she ‘just felt it was slightly off in mood.’ That was my lesson: I need to screen better before saying yes.”– Angela Toledo, @artistica_interiors
It’s Not Your Failure If They’re Still Not Happy
“Perfectionist clients will never be fully satisfied, and that’s okay. You are not a failure. You delivered a beautiful home. Their inability to enjoy it is not your burden.”– Suzanna Ivey, @suzannaiveyinteriors
When You’re the One Who Needs Grace
If you’ve ever cried in your car after a site visit, you’re not alone.
If you’ve stayed up all night questioning your talent after a “this just isn’t what I pictured” email, you’re not alone.
If you’ve replayed meetings wondering how you still ended up with the wrong grout or wrong vibe or wrong “feeling,” you’re definitely not alone.
Working with perfectionists is brutal sometimes. But it’s also common. And manageable—if you protect yourself with systems, language, and mindset.
Smart Moves for Handling Perfectionist Clients
- Write it all down. Verbal approval means nothing.
- Add imperfection clauses. Explain what’s “normal” in design.
- Cap revisions—and bill for overages. Don’t leave it open-ended.
- Render, mock up, compare. Show it, don’t just describe it.
- Include an exit clause. You might need it.
- Listen for tone. If everything is “off” or “not what I expected,” that’s a flag.
- Detach from the outcome. Your success isn’t tied to their emotional capacity.
We’re not saying to stop caring. We’re saying to stop sacrificing.
Because a designer who’s constantly defending themselves can’t do their best work, and clients deserve your best work, not your burnt-out scraps.
Want to Share Your Experience?
Message us @interiordesigncommunity with your story. We may feature it in an upcoming post.
And if no one’s told you this lately: You’re doing great. Even when it’s hard.