5 Scary Truths Every Interior Designer Needs to Face, Before They Haunt You!

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Happy Halloween, designers! While you’re picking out the perfect pumpkin spice latte and the most creative Halloween costume, I’m here to talk about something truly terrifying the nightmares that keep design business owners awake at 3 a.m. After working with hundreds of interior designers and construction professionals during my long 25-year career, I’ve seen the same scary scenarios happen over and over. The good news? Unlike ghosts and goblins, these terrors can be managed with the proper preparation.

So grab your comfort beverage of choice, and let’s talk about the five frightening realities every designer needs to face.

1. The Vanishing Client: They Can Terminate at Any Time

Scary Realities in Design

Here’s the jump scare nobody talks about at design school: your client can fire you. At any time. For any reason. Or no reason at all.

I know, I know. You’re thinking, “But Wendy, we have a contract!” And yes, you do. But unless you’re running a very unusual business model, that contract includes a termination clause that allows either party to end the relationship. That’s actually a good thing for both sides, but it means you need to plan your business for success while expecting any project to end at any time.

What this means for you: Structure your payment terms so you’re never overexposed. Bill for design fees upfront or in phases tied to deliverables. Don’t order $50,000 worth of custom furniture on your credit card before you’ve collected adequate funds from the client. Design for the dream, but protect yourself from the nightmare.

Run your business so that you are ready to adjust if you are terminated unexpectedly. Think about what unwinding your contract looks like. What “deliverables” do you owe your client at each phase of the project? If you can’t answer that question easily, then you need to think more about your business model.

And, if you do get fired or terminated, sign a closeout and settlement agreement that contains a mutual release of future claims. You do not want to be in a situation where you thought you had resolved everything with the client, only for them to come back six months later looking for more.

Think of it this way: you’re planning a beautiful party, but you need to make sure you’re not stuck with the bill if your guest of honor doesn’t show up.

2. The Payment Poltergeist: Expect NOT to Get Paid

This one’s even scarier, and I wish I could tell you it’s rare. But here’s the truth I see in my practice every single week: disputes happen, and when they do, payment stops. 

Maybe the sofa arrives in the wrong fabric. Maybe the contractor you recommended (but don’t control) misses a deadline. Maybe the client’s marriage falls apart, their business tanks, or they just decide they don’t like sage green anymore. Whatever the reason, when things go sideways, your payments are often the first casualty.

What this means for you: Cash flow is oxygen for your business. You cannot, and I mean CANNOT, run your design business assuming every client will pay every invoice on time. You need to:

• Get paid in advance for design services
• Collect deposits before ordering products
• Never, ever float costs for clients
• Maintain a cash reserve for your business

Remember: how do you treat your most expensive handbag versus those old Amazon leggings? Don’t be the leggings. Value yourself, structure your payment terms accordingly, and others will treat you with the respect you deserve.

3. The Review Reaper: Bad Reviews Are Coming

Let’s be honest: you could design the most gorgeous space, hit every deadline, come in under budget, and still get a bad review. Why? Because you’re dealing with people’s homes, their most personal spaces, and sometimes emotions trump reality.

Maybe they’re going through a divorce. Maybe their mother-in-law hated the wallpaper. Maybe they’re just having a bad day when they sit down to write that review. The point is, bad reviews happen to good designers, and you need to be prepared.

What this means for you: Include a non-disparagement clause in your contract. Yes, really. It should be mutual that you won’t trash them, they won’t trash you. If there’s a dispute, you’ll work it out professionally and privately.

Now, I’m not saying these clauses are bulletproof. Courts don’t consistently enforce them, especially if they’re too broad. But they serve an essential purpose: they set expectations. They signal that you’re a professional who expects professional behavior. And often, just having the conversation about mutual respect before signing the contract prevents problems down the road.

Also? Collect testimonials throughout the project, not just at the end. When your client sends you that gushing text about how much they love the fabric you selected, ask if you can use it as a testimonial. Build your armor before you need it.

4. The Photography Phantom: They’ll Change Their Mind About Photos

Picture this (pun intended): You’ve spent months creating an absolutely stunning space. Your contractor executed your vision flawlessly. Everything is styled and perfect. Your photographer is booked. And then, three days before the shoot, your client says, “Actually, I’m not comfortable with photography.”

My heart breaks a little every time this happens, because I know what photos mean to your business. They’re not just pretty pictures, they’re your portfolio, your marketing, your future client pipeline. Photos are part of the deal.

What this means for you: Your contract needs crystal-clear language about photography rights. Not vague “we’ll discuss it later” language, specific, detailed provisions that include:

• Your right to photograph the completed project
• Timeframe for photography
• Where and how you can use the photos
• What happens if the client refuses photography (make them pay you a set amount of “liquidated damages”)

Pro tip: Have this conversation early and often. Don’t wait until the end of the project when everyone’s exhausted and tensions are high. Talk about it during the initial consultation, reference it in your contract, and mention it again as you approach project completion.

And yes, sometimes clients still change their minds. But when you’ve laid the groundwork properly, you have a much better chance of either (a) getting those photos or (b) getting paid if they back out.

5. The “Markup” Monster: Clients Will Price-Check Everything

Here’s a secret that’s not really a secret: your clients are Googling every product you specify. They’re checking prices. They’re looking at trade vs. retail. They’re asking their contractor friend if you’re “marking up.” 

The question isn’t what is your product “markup,” it’s how you handle that conversation. 

What this means for you: The “new transparency” is your friend here. I’m not saying you need to disclose your profit (you don’t), but you need to be comfortable explaining the value you provide. In my experience, many clients do not understand that you can actually earn a profit on product sales. It is not  “deceptive” and it’s not “gouging.” It is how you run your business, and it is industry standard.

When a client asks about pricing, here’s the kind of response that works: “Yes, I do earn income on product sales, that’s part of how design firms operate. But here’s what you’re getting for that: my expertise in sourcing the right products, my trade relationships that get you better quality and pricing than retail, my project management ensuring everything arrives on time and correctly, my handling of any issues that arise, and my guarantee that this will all come together beautifully. I’m not just an order-taker; I run your entire design project.”

Be proud of your expertise. Be proud of the value you deliver. And be prepared to walk away from clients who want you to work for free while they order everything themselves. Those aren’t your clients anyway.

Before The Lights Go Out

Look, I’m not trying to scare you out of the design business. Quite the opposite! I want you to succeed, and that means facing these uncomfortable truths head-on instead of being blindsided by them at 2 a.m. when you’re panicking about cash flow or a client dispute.

The designers who thrive are the ones who plan for success but prepare for challenges. They have solid contracts, clear communication, and healthy boundaries. They value themselves and their work. They don’t give away their services, nor do they apologize for running a profitable business.

Are these topics scary? Sure. But you know what’s scarier? Running a design business without proper legal protections and ending up with real nightmares instead of just Halloween frights.

So this Halloween season, treat yourself to something truly valuable: a contract review, a conversation with a lawyer (hi!), or at a minimum, a serious look at your business practices and payment terms.

Your future self, the one sleeping soundly at night instead of stressing about unpaid invoices, will thank you.

Now go forth and design beautiful spaces, armed with the knowledge that you’re protected, prepared, and professional.

And if you need help navigating any of these scary situations? You know where to find me.

Wendy Estela is Principal of Estela Law, PLLC and Founder of Designed Counsel. She provides legal services, consulting, and negotiation guidance to interior designers across the country. Learn more at estelalaw.info or connect with her on Instagram.  The information in this blog post is not intended to be legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Client Communication & Boundaries