In this day and age, we're seeing a lot of designers practising client gifting as a strategy to elevate their interior design business. Through little gifts, they build a healthy client relationship that lasts.

Gift-giving has long been an act of appreciation and love. During holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, we never fail to prepare gifts for our loved ones. It shows them that you think of them, care for them, and value their existence. In the interior design industry, client gifting has become a way to develop a healthier connection with clients. This eases collaboration and allows for a deeper understanding of their project needs, wants, and vision.

In this article, you will learn...

• what is client gifting
• what gifts your business should be giving
• when is the best time to give gifts
• how to budget for client gifting

Find out if it's the right time to start client gifting for your interior design business...

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What is client gifting

Client gifting is giving tokens of appreciation to clients as a gesture of goodwill.  These gifts can be anything from small personalised items like stationery to more luxurious items like home decor or special experiences, all chosen to match their tastes and preferences.

While client gift-giving is not mandatory for every interior designer, it's a great tradition to practise in your interior design business. It's a way to let your clients know you care about them, pay attention to their needs, and appreciate their support.

However, it's important to remember that it's not for everyone—and that's okay! Gifts can be expensive, and for some, being able to afford to give gifts is a luxury in itself. At the end of the day, the most meaningful gift you can give is exceptional service and dedication to creating spaces they love.

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What gifts should your business be giving?

The first question you should ask yourself when brainstorming for gift ideas for interior design clients is: who are they? As an interior designer, you have to get to know your clients—their interests, dislikes, allergies, and so on—to know what gifts you should be looking for.

Clients can be anything from a bachelor to a parent of three kids and naturally, their interests and priorities would differ from one another. For instance, someone who works from home might appreciate practical items like organisers, while a retired clothier would love unique textile art pieces.

Additionally, you also have to think about the nature of your interior design business. As much as possible, your gift should resonate with your craft so it reminds the clients of you. If you give them a very common gift, for example, a shirt or a bracelet, then chances are that it won't stick out to them.

Three gift ideas for interior design clients:

• Niche gifts. The best gift anyone could possibly ask for is something based on their interests. It could be based on their favourite series, movie, or sport. For example, if your client is fond of reading, then you could give them a DIY book nook insert for their bookshelf!

• Customised home goods. Customised gifts never go out of style. If you're falling a little short on information about your client's interest then you can opt for custom goods such as monogrammed throw pillows, or engraved cutting boards with their initials for the kitchen.
• Experiences. Now if your client is more of a traveler slash adventurer, then tickets or invitations to interior design trade shows, museums, or destination tours are also delightful. These are on the pricier end so you can reserve it for repeat or key clients or clients who are genuinely interested in such events.

Pro Tip: Never give gifts with your logo on them and overly extravagant or impractical items. These can come across as impersonal and make clients feel uncomfortable.

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When is the best time to give gifts to your clients

The holidays are not the only time you can send gifts. Be unpredictable. You can send them gifts on their birthdays, during milestones like weddings, or even on a random Sunday to show your appreciation.

As an interior designer, two of the best times to send interior design clients a gift are during onboarding and the final walk-through. The onboarding signals the start of a collaboration and this in itself is something worth celebrating. Not because you landed the project, but because the clients have finally taken that one big step towards achieving their dream space.

Then of course, we have the big reveal or the final walk-through when the clients' space is finally finished and ready to be occupied. A gift is a brilliant way to officially close the project and at the same time, celebrate this new milestone with the clients.

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How to budget for client gifting

There is no one-size-fits-all budget when it comes to client gifting—it's all up to you! It depends on how much room you have to spend and what impression you want to leave to clients. You can spend more if you're able to, or stick to budget-friendly yet valuable gifts.

Three tips when budgeting for client gifting...

• Set a budget. It's important to remember that gifting is an investment. This means that you should declare how much you're willing to spend for your clients so it won't drain your pockets. On average, you can set aside around 1–2% of your annual sales on client gifts and work your way through.
• Determine how many clients will receive a gift. Your budget will also depend on how many clients you want to give gifts to. If you want more room in terms of budget, then it's best to limit gifts to high-priority clients.
• Diversify gift values. If you want to show your love to all of your clients with a gift, then you can also choose to gift in tiers. This means you can set a $100 budget limit for repeat clients, a $75 limit for clients who constantly send referrals, and $50 for the rest.

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Interior Design Client Gifting Ritual: Yay or Nay?

Client gifting is a popular strategy among designers to strengthen client relationships. Although it's not mandatory, it enhances collaboration and understanding between the two parties.

Client gifts should reflect clients' interests and background, and the nature of business. As an interior design business, three of the best gifts you could give are niche gifts, customised home decor, and experiences such as tickets to museums and events. Avoid gifts with logos or overly extravagant items.

The best times to give gifts include project milestones, holidays, and onboarding or final walk-throughs. Budgeting for gifts is flexible, but ideally, you should set aside 1–2% of your total sales for client gifts.