The Interior Designer’s Dilemma: Designer, Business Owner, or Expert?
What Kind of Interior Design Business Owner Are You?
“The kind of interior design business owner you are directly impacts your firm’s structure, pricing strategy, and whether you’re constantly at the beck and call of clients or have the freedom to create on your terms.”
As an interior designer, you’ve likely chosen this path because you love the art and science of creating beautiful, functional spaces. But beyond the passion for design, there’s an important question to ask yourself: What kind of interior design business owner are you?
Understanding where you fit on the spectrum of design business ownership will help clarify your goals, how you structure your firm, and the decisions you make every day. Let’s explore three distinct paths:
1. The Self-Employed Designer: A Job With More Risk
Do you love the idea of being your own boss, having creative control, and setting your own schedule? Many designers start their businesses with the dream of independence, only to realize that running a business means wearing many hats—marketing, project management, bookkeeping, and more.
Being self-employed often means:
Taking on more financial risk than a traditional job
Making less money than expected due to operational costs
Juggling administrative tasks that take time away from design work
If this is you, ask yourself: Are you content to simply be your own boss, or do you want to build something bigger?
2. The Designer Who Works for a Firm: Passion Without the Pressure
Perhaps you are someone who is deeply drawn to the creative work itself. You love the design process, collaborating with clients, and seeing projects come to life—but you’re not interested in the financial and operational burdens of owning a business.
By working for a firm you don’t own, you can:
Focus solely on the craft of design
Enjoy stability without the responsibility of constantly finding new clients
Grow professionally without the pressures of running a business
If you feel energized by design but drained by business operations, this path allows you to thrive creatively while avoiding financial risk.
3. The Interior Design Expert: A Business That Funds a Lifestyle
“A firm structured for long-term success means positioning yourself as an expert, pricing based on value—not hours worked, and building a business that funds your lifestyle.”
Do you see yourself as more than just another interior designer? Do you work to distinguish yourself in a crowded market? If so, you may be on the path of building a true business—one that not only provides a creative outlet but also serves as a vehicle for wealth and lifestyle design.
A firm structured for long-term success and profitability means:
Positioning yourself as an expert, not just a service provider
Pricing your services based on value, not hours worked
Building a team and systems that allow the business to run without you
Using your business as a wealth-building tool that funds your lifestyle
If this resonates with you, you’re working to build a scalable business, not just a job. Your firm exists to create financial freedom, not just to pay the bills.
Why Does This Matter?
The kind of interior design business owner you are directly impacts how you structure your firm, who you hire, and how you train them. It affects your pricing strategy, whether you exchange time for money or command premium fees as an expert. It determines whether you have time to refresh your creative inspiration or if you’re constantly at the beck and call of clients.
So, which designer are you? And more importantly—are you building a business that truly aligns with your vision for your life and career?
If you’re an interior design expert ready to structure your firm for success and prove your expertise, Propos’Ability is here to help. We provide expert guidance tailored to designers like you, helping you build a profitable, scalable business. Reach out today to learn how we can support your journey to success.