Subscribe to our mailing list to get our weekly blog articles delivered straight to your inbox — all packed with tips, trends, and resources for busy interior designers like you!
In 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?
Read MoreAs we move deeper into 2025, interior designers are facing a whole new set of challenges and opportunities. From product and contractor shortages to staying on top of growing to-do lists, designers are always on the lookout to find innovative solutions. Whether you're balancing efficiency, maintaining your creative energy, or handling a constantly shifting market, it’s all about finding ways to work smarter—not harder. If you’re feeling this too, you're not alone!
Here are the top 5 questions we hear most often from designers—and some thoughtful answers to help you navigate today’s challenges and opportunities.
Read MoreWe’ve been seeing a lot of questions regarding trademarks in interior designer groups, and wanted to help by providing some information on whether you should trademark your business.
A trademark is a distinctive sign, symbol, word, or phrase that identifies and distinguishes a business or brand from others. For interior designers, trademarks help protect brand identity by securing your exclusive rights to your business name, logo, or tagline remains unique and legally safeguarded. Unlike copyrights, which protect artistic works, trademarks prevent competitors from using similar branding elements that could confuse customers.
Read MoreIf you've been paying attention to social media trends lately, you know that video marketing is dominating the digital space. From Instagram Reels to YouTube Shorts, people are consuming more video content than ever before. And guess what? You can absolutely leverage this trend to boost your interior design business. Video content isn’t just for big brands—it’s a powerful tool for interior designers like you to increase visibility, grow your brand, and connect with potential clients. Don’t worry if you’re not a video pro; let’s break it down and see how video marketing can be a game-changer for your design studio in 2025.
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 MoreImagine a living room bathed in sunlight filtering through a living wall, where mycelium furniture exudes a subtle, earthy fragrance—a snapshot of tomorrow’s home. Interior design, ever the mirror of our evolving lives, is transforming rapidly.
To decode these shifts and help you craft an aesthetically beautiful space, we’ve consulted architects, interior designers, and furniture artisans, uncovering the key trends shaping interior design trends, 2025 edition. This article explores…
Read MoreInterior design is always evolving, and one trend that’s been gaining serious momentum is the one-room makeover. More people are opting for quick, budget-friendly transformations one room at a time, instead of committing to full-house/space renovations. But what does this mean for interior designers? Is the traditional full-service model becoming outdated? Let's dive into the growing popularity of one-room makeovers and what it means for your design business.
Read MoreTrade discounts are one of the best-kept secrets in the interior design world. They can make a real difference to your bottom line, but getting those discounts isn’t always as simple as just asking for them. It’s all about strategy, timing, and relationships. Over the years, we’ve learned a thing or two about making the most out of these opportunities.
The goal here is to help you get the most value from the discounts available, so you’re not just hoping for better deals—you’re actively working for them. Let’s break it down…
Read MoreAs an interior designer, there’s a lot more to your work than just creating beautiful spaces. Between managing logistics, communicating with clients, and keeping track of projects, the right tools can make a huge difference. These 8 mobile apps will help streamline your workflow, stay organized, and improve efficiency—whether you're on-site, in the office, or on the go.
Read MoreWhen it comes to pricing your services, one of the most common debates in the interior design world is whether to use a flat fee or hourly billing model. Both options have their advantages and potential drawbacks, and the right choice depends on your business style, client expectations, and the nature of your projects. As an interior designer, choosing the right pricing model is a big decision—it affects how you run your business, how you interact with clients, and, of course, your bottom line. Let’s break down both models so you can make an informed decision that works best for you and your clients.
Read MoreEvery interior designer knows that working with clients is a delicate dance—each one has their own unique preferences, style, and approach to decision-making. But understanding your clients' personalities can make a world of difference when it comes to creating beautiful spaces that align with their vision.
In this fun and practical guide, we’ll break down some of the most common interior design client personality types, and how you can work with each to ensure a smooth and successful project.
Read MoreWhen you first entered the world of interior design, what did you envision your day-to-day life looking like? Maybe you pictured client meetings, site visits, and endless design consultations. Fast forward to now—does your reality match that dream, or are you feeling bogged down by the never-ending demands of the interior design business?
The good news is, you don’t have to choose between your passion for design and a more balanced lifestyle. With the growing popularity of virtual communication, new technologies, and the desire for more flexibility, many interior designers are shifting to a virtual-only model to meet both their clients' needs and their own.
Instead of handling sourcing, project management, or in-person meetings, think about offering services like virtual design consultations, shoppable design boards, or personalized style guides. These types of services are not only in high demand but can help you boost your efficiency, cut overhead costs, and even expand your client base far beyond your local market.
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 MoreManaging multiple interior design projects at once can feel like an art form—one that requires skill, strategy, and a whole lot of organization. One minute, you’re finalizing a color palette for one client, the next you’re sourcing furniture for another, all while making sure install day for a third project runs smoothly.
With so many moving pieces, staying organized isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. When things start to slip through the cracks, deadlines get missed, clients get frustrated, and the entire process becomes stressful instead of exciting.
But don’t worry! With the right systems and strategies in place, you can juggle multiple projects without feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up. Let’s dive into the best ways to stay on top of everything.
Read More
