If it feels like clients expect everything yesterday, you’re not imagining it. Within the Interior Design Community, designers are discussing the rise of what one member has called the “instant gratification client.” They sign a contract and expect the finished work within weeks, sometimes days.
The truth is, client expectations are shifting. Social media makes it look like rooms can be transformed overnight. Shipping delays, labor shortages, and the reality of custom design aren’t always apparent to homeowners. The result? Designers face more pressure than ever to deliver faster, cheaper, and with zero friction.
The Pace Problem
Atelier Gardey of @ateliergardey summed up the experience bluntly:
“Yes, the expectations are crazy. Have to constantly remind my clients that I’m one human and I have other projects going on too!!”
Designers aren’t machines, but many clients expect instant results. What they don’t see are the layers of logistics, vendor coordination, and project management happening behind the scenes.
Grandchamp Interiors of @grandchampinteriors noted that the problem often starts when clients hire too late:
“Yes, because they project their anxiety onto you. I had a client that everything was an emergency or they bring you on way too late into the game and expect you to get everything done quickly because they are behind when they brought you on.”
When clients wait until the last minute, they expect the designer to perform miracles. And while designers often rise to the occasion, it comes at the cost of stress, rushed decisions, and sometimes compromised results.
The Money Disconnect
Time isn’t the only thing under pressure. Anna Wakeham of @annawakeham.interiors cut right to the financial heart of the issue:
“Mine want it all for free, nobody wants to pay!”
When speed expectations rise, budgets rarely follow. Designers are asked to deliver more in less time, often without additional compensation. That disconnect feeds burnout and leaves designers questioning how to protect their value.
This echoes discussions across IDC about contracts and fees. If designers don’t set boundaries early, they risk absorbing costs and losing profitability. (For strategies, see IDC’s blog on charging for that first meeting.)
Boundaries: The New Must-Have
The solution many designers are leaning into? Boundaries.
Interiors by Just Design of @interiorsbyjustdesign explained how she addressed 24/7 client texting:
“I have learned that you need to set boundaries. Expecting a response from a text at all hours is not ok. I have recently started telling clients that texting is very limited.”
Setting expectations around communication is as important as setting expectations around timelines. Without boundaries, clients can erode both professional respect and personal time.
Systems That Actually Work
Some designers are addressing the issue by implementing systems that clearly guide client expectations from the outset.
Eclectic Design Co. of @eclecticdesign.co shared how she uses process and communication to set the tone:
“I have a welcome packet that goes out with my contract that has an entire FAQs and what to expect section. This helps set client expectations. I also do monthly newsletters to each client that break down what we’ve accomplished this month, what we’re working on now, and what comes next. I also include closures like vacation or holidays to remind them not to contact me during those times.”
She explained that this not only informs clients but also helps weed out those who can’t respect boundaries. Transparency builds trust, but it also keeps unrealistic demands from spiraling out of control.
When It Gets Weird
Sometimes it’s not just about speed or money. Client requests themselves are getting stranger. Ian of @ianotthecity put it plainly:
“Yes and no. The requests are getting 1000% weirder though.”
Unusual demands aren’t new in design, but coupled with shorter timelines and tighter budgets, they add to the growing list of challenges designers juggle.
Why Clients Are More Anxious Now
There’s also the reality that clients are entering projects with higher stress levels. Supply chain delays, housing market volatility, and the culture of instant gratification all contribute to their mindset.
Designers are often brought in late, when clients already feel behind. That urgency gets projected onto the designer, creating an environment where everything feels like an emergency.
This is where communication matters most. If designers reframe the process as a structured journey rather than a rush to the finish line, they can reduce client anxiety while protecting their workflow.
The Industry Impact
The rise of demanding clients isn’t just an individual headache. It has industry-wide implications:
Burnout: Designers are taking on unrealistic timelines without additional compensation.
Devaluing expertise: If clients expect free extras, they undervalue the professional expertise designers bring.
Erosion of boundaries: The constant availability and instant communication of technology blur the line between work and personal life.
If left unchecked, this could alter how clients perceive the role of designers, ultimately eroding respect for the profession as a whole.
How Designers Can Push Back
The IDC discussion revealed a toolkit of practical strategies designers are using:
Onboarding documents: Welcome packets and FAQ sheets to set expectations from the start.
Regular updates: Monthly newsletters or scheduled emails that show progress and prevent “Are we there yet?” calls.
Firm communication rules: Clear boundaries on texts, emails, and after-hours responses.
Contract language: Clauses that address timelines, holidays, and communication.
Education: Walking clients through why quality design takes time.
In Practice
Yes, clients are becoming more demanding. But as the Interior Design Community shows, designers aren’t powerless. With firm boundaries, intelligent systems, and clear communication, it’s possible to manage expectations while protecting both creative energy and business profitability.
Ultimately, the most crucial shift may be reminding clients that design is not an instant service. It’s a process that requires time, trust, and collaboration.
Client Communication and Boundaries