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We have some exciting news and updates happening here at Elite Design Assistants! Instead of sending multiple newsletters, I wanted to send you ONE called “The Elite Edit”! This newsletter will have a handful of exciting happenings going on in the industry and with Elite Design Assistants.
Read MoreYou’ve heard the advice a hundred times: hire help, get organized, build your brand. But what does that actually look like in the day-to-day reality of running an interior design firm, juggling sourcing delays, client indecision, inbox overload, and desperately trying to preserve time for creativity?
The truth is: most investment advice out there is too broad to be useful for designers deep in the weeds. So instead of vague suggestions, let’s talk about clear, practical, and often-overlooked ways to invest in your business—moves that pay off in real ways: better margins, more ideal clients, smoother projects, and a business that supports your life (not the other way around).
Read MoreIf you've ever struggled to find a reliable contractor or waited weeks (or months) for skilled tradespeople to be available, you're not alone. The shortage of skilled labor in the interior design and construction industries is real—and it's affecting projects at every level.
Whether you specialize in full-scale renovations, kitchen and bath remodels, or custom-built furniture, the challenge is the same: quality trades are harder to find, and keeping them on your projects takes strategy. So how do we, as interior designers, adapt to this new reality? Let’s break it down.
Read MoreMost designers have a client welcome packet. A few pretty pages, a thank you note, a brief process overview... and that's it.
Not exactly the first impression that screams “you’re in the hands of a polished professional who’s about to make your dream home a reality.”
If you want your welcome packet to actually set the tone for an incredible client experience — one where clients trust you, respect your process, and are excited to work with you — you need a lot more than just a pretty PDF.
Here’s what your client welcome packet really needs:
Read MoreAre you looking to elevate your interior design game and gain access to exclusive products and resources? Joining trade programs can open doors to a world of advantages that extend far beyond what's available to the average retail customer. Among these advantages, the most enticing feature is the potential for significant discounts, a substantial part of designers' profits. But the perks don't end there—trade members often enjoy expedited customer service, sales tax exemptions, exclusive product previews, and in many cases, custom design options and expedited shipping services.
Read MoreInterior design can look so glamorous from the outside — all champagne reveals, glossy magazine spreads, and perfectly styled installs.
But anyone who's been in the business for more than five minutes knows there's a real underbelly most people don’t talk about.
There are real risks out there, from vendor fraud to nightmare client disputes to shady contracts, and if you don’t know what to watch for, you can lose a lot more than just your patience.
Read MoreEvery interior designer has been there—you’re deep into a project, feeling good about the progress, and then BAM—a frustrated email lands in your inbox, or a not-so-pleasant phone call comes through. Maybe the client feels out of the loop, has sticker shock, or suddenly wants to change everything. These moments can be stressful, but they’re also preventable—or at the very least, manageable with grace and professionalism.
Over the years, we’ve gathered insights from working interior designers about the most common client pain points and complaints. After hearing the same frustrations repeatedly and seeing common patterns emerge, we realized that most designers—at some point—will experience these, and that’s why we wanted to share them with you to help you avoid unnecessary headaches!
So, whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned pro looking for smoother projects, here’s how to get ahead of these common complaints before they happen—or handle them better if they already have appeared.
Read MoreRunning an interior design business isn’t just about picking fabrics and selecting paint colors — it’s about juggling client expectations, project deadlines, vendors, budgets, installs, and about a thousand moving parts at once.
Sure, you already know the "big name" tools like Pinterest, AutoCAD, and SketchUp.
But today, we’re diving into the tools that make a real difference behind the scenes — the ones that help you design faster, manage projects better, create a smoother client experience, and ultimately grow a stronger business.
Read MoreWhen you hear the phrase "educate your clients," does it conjure images of standing at a chalkboard, diagramming the difference between a loveseat and a settee? Or maybe, you picture a client nodding eagerly as you cover the finer points of fabric durability? (Spoiler: it’s neither of these.) Educating your clients isn’t about lecturing; it’s about giving them the confidence to make decisions and the clarity to trust yours.
Here’s the thing: interior design can feel overwhelming for those new to it. Most clients walk in with a Pinterest board full of dreams and a vocabulary that maxes out at “modern farmhouse.” They want the magic but aren’t always sure how it’s made. That’s where you come in—not to play professor, but to guide them through the process with a little patience, a lot of insight, and just enough humor to keep it from feeling like a chore.
Read MoreNobody talks about this at design school: Running your own interior design business means you're not just a creative — you're a CEO, a negotiator, a project manager, and sometimes, a full-blown firefighter.
And while signing new clients and sourcing jaw-dropping pieces feels amazing, there’s a whole side of this business that’s easy to miss — the quiet, sneaky costs that creep up and chip away at your bottom line if you're not watching.
Read MoreGetting referrals from happy clients should feel as natural as them bragging about their new kitchen island. Instead, it often feels like asking someone to write a love letter for you: weird, a little vulnerable, and kind of pushy if you get the timing wrong. But don’t worry—we’ve got some tips to make the whole process feel effortless and just smoother.
Read MoreAs the science and medical communities continue to confirm that our environment has a direct correlation with our health, the trend of biophilic design is on the rise. Biophilic design refers to interior design and architecture that centers around nature and bringing those elements inside as much as possible. It may include increased natural light, living walls, eco-friendly materials and feature patterns, textiles, and architecture that mimic elements found in nature.
Biophilic design is a newer concept that arose out of interior designers and architects recognizing their client’s needs, as well as their own, to disconnect from a digital world and reconnect with the calming effects of nature.
Read MoreIn interior design, a niche is a specific area of expertise—something you specialize in that helps your business stand out. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all services, choosing a niche allows you to speak directly to a certain type of client and project. It’s about being known for something—whether that’s stylish urban apartments, holistic wellness spaces, or high-end kitchen renovations.
Your niche reflects your strengths, personal style, and the kind of work that lights you up. It’s not just about what you can do—it’s about what you want to be known for.
Read MoreIn an effort to better understand the biggest challenges interior designers face, I spend time in several interior design Facebook groups, and one issue that keeps coming up is intellectual property (IP) violations. So, let’s break down what IP law actually is and why it matters to interior designers.
Read MoreYour website is so much more than just a portfolio. It’s your most powerful sales tool. When optimized correctly, it works around the clock to attract ideal clients, filter out the wrong ones, and book discovery calls—allowing you to focus on your craft. But here’s the truth: many designers never learn how to build a website that’s strategically optimized to convert visitors into leads or clients. Worse, they often struggle to even get visitors in the first place. Don’t worry, though; it’s never too late to turn things around!
With just a few simple (yet impactful) changes, your website can start working harder for you. Let’s walk through several actionable strategies to transform your site into a lead-generation machine—no tech degree required.
Read MoreLet’s talk about something we often overlook as designers: delegation.
When you're just starting out, it’s easy to think you need to do it all — every email, every mood board, every product order, every invoice. We often wear all the hats, believing it proves we can handle running a business. But at some point, we all realize that juggling every task isn’t sustainable. The key to growth lies in learning what to delegate and when.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or simply curious about outsourcing but unsure where to start — this post is for you. We’re breaking down what to delegate first based on where you are in your business and design journey.
Read MoreLet’s spare ourselves the lengthy trip down memory lane—the stomach-churning headlines, the cloth masks, the bleach-sprayed groceries. It started five years ago, to the month. We were all there, and we all remember what those early days of Covid were like.
Those of us in the industry also have a set of—let’s face it—complicated associations with the pandemic. While the world was falling apart, the world was buying furniture. Covid was a boom time, unleashing a fountain of opportunity for designers, retailers, manufacturers, and anyone else who could even tangentially claim to be in the business of home.
That boom is over. Some analysts predicted we’d forever be wearing masks and bumping elbows—that’s over too. Save for scuffed-up social distancing stickers clinging stubbornly to linoleum floors, there’s not a ton of physical evidence that we recently went through a global pandemic.
But we’re all still operating in a world that has been shaped by Covid. And five years later, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on all the ways the pandemic did (and didn’t) leave a lasting impact on the design industry.
Read MoreFurniture design is a historically and culturally rich multi-disciplinary field that blends art, engineering, marketing, and manufacturing principles to craft the objects that shape our living and working spaces.
Fortunately, the importance of protecting the intellectual property rights of the designers, inventors, artisans and engineers responsible for creating furniture designs, is largely recognized by most countries.
In this article, we'll delve into the intellectual property laws that serve as tools for protecting the unique and distinctive elements of furniture design.
From the functional aspects of patented features to the artistic expression guarded by copyright, and the brand identity encapsulated in trademarks, we'll cover the details of each approach. We'll also touch upon international design registrations, shedding light on how businesses can secure comprehensive protection for their furniture designs in the global marketplace.
Read MoreAs an interior designer, your brand is all about aesthetics, functionality, and creating a seamless experience. So why should your promotional items be any different? Whether you're gearing up for a trade show, looking for the perfect client gift, or just want to keep your brand in front of potential clients, the right promo products can make all the difference.
But let's be real—not all promotional items are created equal. You don’t want cheap throwaways that end up in the trash. You want elevated, thoughtful, and on-brand products that reflect your expertise and leave a lasting impression.
Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up the best promotional items for interior designers in 2025—and even better, Elite Design Assistants can help you source and order them hassle-free!
Read MoreFor years, the open floor plan has been the go-to layout for modern homes. The promise of an airy, spacious environment where the kitchen, living, and dining areas flow seamlessly into one another seemed to meet every need, from entertaining guests to creating a sense of connectivity and openness. But lately, there’s been a noticeable shift in the way homeowners and designers are approaching space planning. So, are open floor plans officially over? Or is this just a temporary change?
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