We just hit that straight on a few days ago. Client wanted something (obviously overdramaticized it), catering to their needs we came up with an elaborate and unfortunately ugly solution, which we thought was ridiculous but necessary. Then my co-worker asked the client a REALLY good question "Did you really have 'this[something]' in mind?" and after a yes from the client the solution was ridiculously simple. And everyone went home happy.

Next time just step back and ask yourself "what did the client really want?" Then ask the client if you guessed correctly.