This week on the podcast, I brought up something that rarely gets addressed out loud—but every designer has run into it at one time or another: what do you do when your client has really, truly bad taste? 

Now, this isn’t about judging or complaining about clients—we love them, all of them, in all their quirky and sometimes challenging forms. But the truth is, this situation will happen, and we need to be ready.

This topic came up recently in one of our weekly Q&A sessions, where we dive into real, practical challenges and help our designers find a way through them. And I want to share this with you, because having a strategy here could save your sanity, your business reputation, and your creative integrity.

Your Shape as the Expert: Don’t Compromise It

There’s an unbreakable rule in this business—one of the few I’ll ever call “unbreakable”—and that is: don’t do something you know is wrong. I learned this the hard way, early in my career. A sweet older client insisted on a hideous fabric for a reupholstered chair. I knew it was a disaster. But I was young, new in business, and I caved. And I paid for it. Several people came into my studio afterward and said they couldn’t believe I had done that work. My credibility took a hit, and I was mortified. Lesson learned.

Fast forward 15 years, now a single mom working straight commission at a high-end furniture store. Same scenario, different client. But this time, when she pushed for a truly terrible choice, I drew the line. I said, “I’m not putting my name on that.” I gave her options, and when I stood firm—she changed her mind. She went with my recommendation. That was a turning point. I’d learned to hold my shape—to stand in my authority as the expert, and not get bulldozed.

Threading the Needle Between Vision and Reality

Sometimes, even when you explain the what, how, and why something won’t work, a client won’t budge. That’s okay—you still have options. You can try to pull together the best of what they love and guide the rest toward something cohesive. It might not be photo-worthy, but it can be functional and make them happy. And remember, your job is to deliver what they need—even when they get in their own way trying to achieve it.

If that still doesn’t work, you have every right to walk away. You can hand them the specs, charge for your time, and wish them well—or graciously refer them to someone else. You’re not obligated to compromise your brand or your standards. And that’s true with potential clients, too. If the red flags are flying during the initial conversations, pay attention. Don’t let hunger for the project blind you to the mismatch.

Protecting Your Brand and Your Peace

Here’s the balance: your brand and your customer service sit on opposite sides of a tightrope. The goal is to walk it with grace. Not everything will be portfolio material, and that’s okay. But nothing should harm your reputation either. Have a plan in place for handling these moments—so you’re not caught like a deer in headlights when they come up.

If you want to listen to the full podcast episode to get all these insights (and more every single week), then click here: https://interiordesignbusinessacademy.com/episode-142-clients-with-bad-taste/ 

And if this kind of grounded, behind-the-scenes wisdom resonates with you—if you’re craving more support, more guidance, more community—then come talk to us. Schedule a call and find out what IDBA is all about. 

No pressure, just a conversation. Head to interiordesignbusinessacademy.com and click the “Book a Call” button at the top.

Until next time, design something beautiful—and always get paid what you’re worth.

Beauty, Abundance, and Joy,