The secret to a balanced interior design business
Growing Your Design Business: How Balance (or the Lack of It) Impacts Everything
Running an interior design business is no small feat. You’re not just designing beautiful spaces—you’re also juggling marketing, client management, finances, and about a million other tasks. It’s easy for things to get out of balance. Some areas of your business might be thriving, while others are barely getting by. Sound familiar?
It’s all about balance! If your business is feeling out of balance, chances are some of your circles are tiny and some are inflated
Let’s break it down
Let’s break it down - the diagram above shows the 7 most important aspects of a typical interior design business. Each one plays a role in your success, but not all of them might be getting the attention they need. The goal isn’t for every circle to be identical in size—they will naturally ebb and flow as you go through different stages of your business. Think of each area as a circle—the bigger the circle, the healthier that part of your business.
If one circle is tiny while others are huge, it can throw everything off and it is great indicator of where you should spend some of your time and energy.
Here’s how each area can affect your business and how to fix it! (and what happens if the circle is out of whack):
1. Design: Sourcing, Drafting, Rendering
This is probably your favorite part—actually designing! If this circle is thriving, you’ve got solid workflows, tools, and maybe even a team to help you. But if it’s struggling, you might feel stuck in the weeds or constantly behind on deadlines.
How to grow it: Look at where you’re spending too much time. Could you outsource drafting or rendering to one of our talented Virtual Assistants? Maybe it’s time to invest in better software. Freeing up your time here means you can focus on the creative work you love.
An example of a beautifully rendered kitchen by Viktoria, one of our talented Virtual Assistants.
2. Operations: Admin Tools, Apps, and Processes
This is the stuff that keeps your business running smoothly—or not. If your operations circle is small, you’re probably wasting time on manual tasks or dealing with constant headaches.
How to grow it: Start by identifying your biggest operational headaches. Invest in project management tools like Trello or Asana - read our other blog about Trello, it is an easy to use PM tool for designers.
3. Personal/Professional Development
You can’t pour from an empty cup, right? This circle often shrinks when business gets busy, but neglecting your personal and professional growth can lead to burnout.
How to grow it: Dedicate time to learning and self-care. Attend industry conferences, read business books, or work with a coach or mentor who can help you level up.
4. Client Experience
Happy clients = repeat business and glowing referrals. But if this circle is lacking, it can hurt your reputation and lead to fewer projects.
How to grow it: Map out the client journey—from the first email to project completion—and make sure every step feels professional, seamless, and enjoyable. Small touches, like thank-you gifts or regular updates, can go a long way. A good client management platform like Dubsado or Honeybook creates a beautiful client experience and has great automations built in too - read here about how Honeybook can help you in this area of your business.
Your client experience start long before your first consultation! Image: AI generated image creative with creative prompts by B Design Space
5. Growth: Team, Resources, Services, and Products
Growth can be exciting but also tricky. Growth is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. A too-small growth circle may indicate stagnation, while a circle that’s grown too large too quickly can lead to overwhelm.
How to grow it: Assess where your business is now and where you want to go. Do you need to hire more help or offer additional services - whatever you choose, make sure that your growth is intentional.
6. Visibility/Marketing
For interior designers, an underdeveloped marketing circle often means missed opportunities—if potential clients don’t know you exist, how can they hire you? Whether it’s showcasing your portfolio, sharing client success stories, or networking with builders and developers, marketing keeps your business visible and relevant.
How to grow it: Consistency is key. Share your latest work on social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest, attend local networking events, and keep your website updated with recent projects and testimonials.
7. Financial/Accounting
Most designers are right brain creatives, that is why the financial and accounting side of your business is often neglected. For interior designers, a small financial circle can signal chaos—whether it’s losing track of project budgets, underpricing your services, or struggling with cash flow. If your finances are disorganized, it’s easy to miss out on product profits and high enoug pricing for you services.
How to grow it: Keep detailed records of each project’s budget—materials, labor, and any unexpected costs. If you’re unsure about your pricing, it might be time to assess your rates and ensure they align with industry standards and the value you provide. Tools like QuickBooks or Wave can simplify this process, or consider hiring a bookkeeper who specializes in design firms.
Why balance is key and what to do if your circles are out of whack!
The goal isn’t perfection; it’s balance. Here’s the thing—your business works best when all these areas are in sync. Sure, some circles will naturally be bigger than others, but if one area is way off (hello, ignored finances or overwhelmed operations), it’s going to hold you back.
As a business consultant for interior designers, I specialize in the operations circle, helping you streamline your processes and make your business run smoothly. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered in other areas too! My Virtual Assistant team can assist with most other aspects of your business, from marketing to client management and even design support.
At B Design+Space we can assist designers in all 7 areas of business growth - by providing Virtual Assistants, Business consulting services and digital products.
If you want to feel less overwhelmed and strive to have a balanced work and life, then feel free to get in touch, our 2 Hour Technical Business is a good starting point to work through all these areas of your business.