Interior designers carry enormous responsibilities. From the health, safety, and welfare of a space to aesthetics, logistics, and technical execution, we do it all. But the question remains: are we making money?
A recent survey conducted by the Interior Design Community, with over 100,000 active designers, suggests that many are not. So why is that? Why do designers continue to undervalue themselves, ignore red flags, and let profits leak away?
Here are 10 things designers can do right now to start earning more money:
1. Know Your Value
Interior designers often focus on the emotional and aesthetic aspects of design, but that doesn’t mean you should underestimate the technical and financial weight of your role.
You manage logistics, aesthetics, technical applications, health, safety, and welfare. That takes time. That takes talent. And that takes money.
Know what your value is and stand up for it. The rise of industry organizations and the increasing availability of “free” design services in retail and online have eroded the perceived value of professional designers. It’s high time designers reclaim their value and charge accordingly.
2. Streamline Your Process
Without systems, you’re constantly starting over and wasting time, talent, and profits.
Every successful design business has a clearly defined process. I used to tell my staff: “Handle each piece of paperwork once.” Each time you revisit it, you waste time and energy.
From the initial call to onboarding, interviews, budgeting, selections, contracts, procurement, installation, project management, final walkthrough, and billing, everyone should be familiar with the story, the system, and how to implement it.
Time wasted on disorganized systems costs you real money. This isn’t just about organization; it’s about increased efficiency and profitability.
3. Increase Efficiency and Decrease Errors and Omissions
A streamlined workflow leads to fewer mistakes. Fewer mistakes mean less backtracking, less out-of-pocket cost, and fewer awkward client conversations. Implement a checks-and-balances system to review everything. Like the old adage says, measure twice, cut once.
Establishing tight protocols for documentation, purchasing, and approvals saves time, protects profits, and improves the client experience, ultimately benefiting your bottom line.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for the Check
Billing is your company’s lifeline. Cash flow keeps a business running from the initial inquiry to the final walkthrough and payment collection. You need a solid accounting system to stay on top of accounts receivable and payable. Don’t let these two go unmanaged.
5. Take Advantage of Cash Discount Payments
Paying vendors early? Ask for a discount. That’s cash flow magic.
Even a 2–3% savings adds up across projects. These are the small details that quietly add up to serious dollars over time.
6. Profit = Income – Expenses
Profit is how much money your company has made after you have paid your expenses (like salaries, rent, electricity, phone, you get the idea).
When you make a profit, you can grow the business. Once you know your break-even point, where sales = costs, you can decide how much profit you need to set your selling prices.
Just about every accounting program will run these reports for you. This is where you come in, read those reports, and make informed decisions about your value and charge accordingly.
7. Identify Your Ideal Client and Maximize Their Potential
When you work with the right client, everything is easier: timelines, communication, budgets, creativity, profitability, and enjoyment.
Know who your ideal client is and where to find them. Your marketing should speak directly to that person. Learn to spot red flags early. Your onboarding and interview process should help you determine fit. Be upfront about how you work, what you charge, and the investment required.
At the end of a successful project, you’ll have something beautiful to showcase, and your client will have something they love along with a designer they’ll want to send their friends and family to.
8. Pay Yourself Weekly or Monthly
Stop putting yourself last. You’re the CEO, the designer, the visionary, the one taking all the risks. If you’re not consistently paying yourself, your business model is broken.
Build your paycheck into your business structure. Pay yourself like it’s non-negotiable because it is.
Do not float material or contractor costs out of your own account. Never borrow from one project to fund another. Every job should be self-funded through client retainers, deposits, or payment structures. Never cover costs with your own money. You are not a bank.
9. Learn How to Sell Interior Design as a Transactional Business
Design is art, but your business is commerce. Learn how to sell. Selling isn’t about pressure; it’s about clearly explaining value, setting expectations, and guiding your client through decisions.
Clients want you to lead. Don’t sell yourself short by making it all about feelings. Sell the results.
If a potential client is vague about budget, resistant to your process, or triggers that gut feeling walk away. Bad clients cost more than they bring in. Learn to spot them early and move on. The right projects are waiting.
10. Develop a Realistic Budget for Your Client
If your client “doesn’t know what they want to spend,” that’s your cue to educate them.
A well-formed budget clarifies:
- Scope of work
- What you can deliver
- Client expectations
- Your profitability
- The final result
The Little Things Add Up
When you pay attention to small, important details, they accumulate to boost revenue, clarity, and confidence. This is about more than just design. It’s about building a business that supports your creativity and lifestyle.
Every small step is a move toward more money in your pocket.
This blog was written by Sharon Sherman, a member of the IDC board and a contributing supporter.
