What should I check about an interior design studio’s sample library and showroom upkeep?

Go in with a client’s eyes first. Is the space inviting, and can you find fabrics, finishes and flooring by category? Then look closer: faded swatches, discontinued lines and missing labels all suggest that nobody has owned the upkeep. Ask when the library was last reviewed and what was discarded.

Next, ask how samples arrive. Some come free from suppliers and some are bought or loaned and must be returned. Ask who requests updates, who tracks loans and who handles the pile that follows each project. If one staff member does all of this, find out whether that person is staying.

Finally, look at the showroom as a business cost. Ask what the space costs to run, how often clients visit and whether it leads to projects or serves mainly as an office. If the lease is tied to it, have your lawyer read the terms. Ask the seller what they would change if they stayed. Ask for the last few months of showroom spending on furniture, lighting and display changes, so you can see what keeping it presentable really costs.

Key takeaways

• Judge the library as a client would, then check labels, dates and discontinued lines.
• Learn which samples are free, bought or on loan, and who tracks returns.
• Ask whether the showroom brings in projects or mainly adds cost.
• Ask for recent showroom spending to see what upkeep costs in practice.