How Do I Know If I Am Ready to Start a Design Business?
Starting your own interior design business is a big leap, but how do you know when it’s the right time?
The truth is, you might already have the signs in front of you—you just need to spot them.
Maybe you’re sitting at your desk, frustrated because your creative ideas get boxed in by someone else’s vision. Or perhaps clients are already coming directly to you, asking for advice or help on their spaces.
These are not coincidences—they’re clues that you’re ready to take control of your career.
How Do I Know If Designing Is for Me?
Not sure if interior design is truly your calling? Let’s strip it down. Interior design isn’t just about making things look nice—it’s about solving problems, telling a story through space, and creating something functional yet beautiful.
Here’s how to know if this is for you:
You See Possibility Everywhere: If you can’t walk into a room without imagining how you’d rearrange the furniture or change the lighting, that’s a clue.
You Love Problem-Solving: Interior design is like a puzzle. The space, budget, and client preferences are your pieces, and your job is to fit them together seamlessly. (You get a little bit of freedom in the gaps of all these constraints).
Details Delight You: From the texture of a pillow to the perfect shade of wall paint if you obsess over the small stuff, this is your world.
Still not sure? Start small—help a friend redesign their living room or work on a mock project. The process will show you if it’s love or just a hobby.
Is a Design Business Profitable?
Yes, interior design businesses can be profitable, but success isn’t automatic. It takes strategy and effort.
Here’s what successful designers do to thrive:
Find a Niche: Maybe you specialise in eco-friendly designs, high-end luxury, or small-space solutions. A specialism helps you avoid being compared to others just on price, but polarises you into being the right person for the project. You'll also align your marketing efforts and avoid toxic client relationships.
Price with Purpose: Undercharging won’t get you far. Research your market, calculate your value, and set clear pricing—whether it’s hourly, flat, or percentage-based. Use easy-to-use tools to work out the minimum you could charge.
Work Smarter, Not Harder: Systems, templates, and efficient processes save time, reduce stress, and boost profitability. Investing in these tools will separate you from a hobbyist to a fully-fledged business.
Can you hit six figures? Absolutely. But remember, profitability grows with experience, consistency, and a clear understanding of the value you provide to your clients. Your value is important, but how this affects the client is even more important - they're paying the bills.
How to Start a Design Business?
Starting a design business isn’t about winging it. Here’s your roadmap:
Define Your Niche: What do you want to be known for? High-end homes? Office spaces? Sustainability? Decide now, but make sure it aligns with what you're passionate about.
Build a Portfolio: Even if you’re just starting, mock projects or pro bono work can showcase your skills.
Set Up the Essentials: Register your business, secure insurance, and get those contracts in place. You’ll thank yourself later.
Market Like You Mean It: Start sharing your work. Instagram, local networking, or even word of mouth can be powerful tools.
Get Systems in Place: Templates for emails, proposals, and project tracking save time and make you look professional from day one.
If that feels like a lot, don’t worry—you don’t have to do it all at once. Focus on one step at a time, and you’ll build momentum as you go. I have even more exercises in our 40-page client guide, it's free - download it here.
Can Designers Make Six Figures?
The short answer? Yes. But it doesn’t happen overnight.
Here’s how successful designers scale their income:
Target the Right Clients: Clients with bigger budgets value great design—and they’re willing to pay for it. I have a blog on marketing strategies for interior designers here.
Upsell Smartly: Offer additional services like furniture sourcing, styling, or project management to increase your revenue per project.
Invest in Growth: Learn new skills, expand your network, and leverage tools to work more efficiently. Buying back your time is a principle that most designers don't know about - and these designers often burn-out.
With the right mindset and strategy, six figures are achievable. You just need to systemise and treat your business seriously. It's very obvious when it's just a hobby and no one wants to pay premium prices for a hobbyist - I'm looking at you with the @gmail.com email address. It costs almost nothing to get a real domain!
How Do You Know If Starting a Business Is Right for You?
Starting a business is not for everyone, and that’s okay. To figure out if it’s right for you, ask yourself:
Am I Self-Motivated?: You’re the boss now, which means no one’s holding your hand.
Am I Comfortable with Risk?: Financial ups and downs are part of the journey.
Do I Have a Vision?: Knowing where you want to go makes the hard days worth it.
If these questions feel more exciting than intimidating, you might just be ready to start your business. There is so much more to go into, so feel free to stick around as I'll be building out a whole blog series on this subject! You can subscribe to the newsletter in the footer! I do a weekly email with tips in more detail (also some exclusive discounts).
Conclusion
Starting your own interior design business is challenging, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do. If you’re spotting the signs, trust yourself—it might be time to leap.
Need help getting started? Download my 40-page client guide packed with templates and strategies to set you up for success. And for daily inspiration, tips, and advice, follow me on Instagram @architecture_templates.
If this sounds exciting - what’s stopping you?
Tim, Architecture Templates
