What does the day to day look like for an Interior Designer. Where to begin? Join me as we draw back the curtain to see the witches and wizards behind that curtain. Interior Designers are the jack of all trades. From personal design experts, to multitaskers, to project managers, to problem solvers, to professional hand holders, all while simultaneously catering to the design needs of multiple clients. How do we do it? Well, with patience & organization.
Interior Design is both a science and an art. Interior Designers are creatively working to evoke a particular concept or emotion. But, in order to do that, it takes time, patience and attentive understanding.
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
It's important to note that an interior designer's schedule can be quite dynamic, and they often juggle multiple projects simultaneously. Nonetheless, the daily routine can vary depending on the projects being worked on at the time. There are, in fact, some days where every task is touched upon.
8:00a Morning routine
Coffee, Breathe, Coffee. Designers often start the day early with a set morning routine. Starting the day by getting organized and coming up with a schedule is such a stress reliever. The amount of organizational skill that is needed to be an Interior Designer is insane. Keep reading to find out why.
[1-3 Hours]
9:00A: First things first
Correspondence. Checking the numerous emails. Whether it is to potential clients, following up to vendors, current client communications, vendor representatives, manufactures, or fielding spam, designers typically start their day filtering through their inbox.
(depending on the project, there can be emails and information from 8+ manufacturers/vendors at any given time).
[1-2 Hours]
10:00A project planning & research
Project planning and research are key to a successful design process. Taking time to review project plans, client notes, and project timelines allows designers to prioritize project goals and the “what happens next” in the design process. Many projects start at various times throughout the year, so extensive planning and organization is the only true way to master each stage of the process.. and stay S-A-N-E.
[1-2 Hours]
11:00A Client meetings
Meeting with clients is a crucial aspect of an interior designer’s position. Whether they are a prospective client, brand new client, or existing client, these meetings can be short or long, in person, over the phone or via video conferencing. Depending on where that particular project is in the process, these meetings can involve project progress, presentation of design concepts, or to be for gathering feedback. This is also the perfect time to address any concerns or questions that might arise.
[2-5 Hours]
12:00P space planning & design
FINALLY, the creative part. The entire reason we became designers. Our bread and butter. Working and prepping a design presentation can take anywhere from 10-18 hours per room (sometimes more, sometimes less). Many variables come in to play here, though. Selecting color schemes, furniture, lighting, fixtures, and materials are a huge part of the design process. Depending on the client’s budget, style and timeline, designers generally know which vendors to source from for those personal design specifications. A significant portion of the day is dedicated to creating design concepts and layouts. Designers are sure to use computer-aided design software to create floor plans, 3D renderings, and mood boards to create a seamless transition from concept to reality.
[10-40 Hours]
1:00p Administrative Tasks
Aside from the space planning and design, this is the timeliest portion of the entire process due to all the moving parts. Administrative tasks such as budget management, invoicing, and project documentation are part of an interior designer's responsibilities. Detailed records of expenses, project timelines, and client communications ate the only way to stay sane during the design process.
*For those that don’t know what is involved in the ordering process (aka procurement), this may or may not be what you expected, and it may or may not blow your mind*
Securing Procurement:
Creating Purchase Orders: Once the selection process is complete, designers create purchase orders (POs) that specify the quantity, description, and agreed-upon price of each item. These POs serve as legally binding contracts between the designer and the supplier.
Lead Time and Delivery Management: Designers coordinate the lead times for each item to ensure that materials and furnishings arrive on-site when needed. They track deliveries, inspect items for quality, and handle any issues that may arise during shipping or delivery.
Quality Assurance: Interior designers are responsible for ensuring that all materials and products meet the specified quality standards and match the design vision. They may conduct quality checks and inspections.
Storage and Inventory Management: Depending on the project timeline, designers may need to arrange for temporary storage of materials and furnishings. They also keep track of inventory to avoid shortages or overstocking.
Installation Coordination: Designers work closely with contractors and installation teams to ensure that all furnishings and fixtures are installed correctly and in accordance with the design plan and timeline.
Documentation and Records: Interior designers maintain detailed records of all procurement-related activities, including purchase orders, invoices, receipts, and warranties. This documentation is essential for project management and client accountability.
Communication: Effective communication with clients, suppliers, contractors, and team members is crucial to keep everyone informed about the procurement process's progress and any potential issues.
Troubleshooting: Interior designers must be prepared to address unexpected challenges that may arise during the procurement process, such as delays, or damaged items..
Overall, effective procurement is essential for a successful interior design project. It requires attention to detail, organization, budget management skills, and the ability to coordinate various aspects of the supply chain to ensure that the design vision is realized to the client's satisfaction.
[6-25 Hours]
2:00P vendor & contractor communication
Here we go. Design Implementation means meeting with contractors, requesting price quotes, negotiating contracts, and ensuring deliveries and installations are scheduled on time. This also can require multiple types of communications, numerous site visits and phone calls.
Designers coordinate with vendors and suppliers to source materials and furnishings. There are many advantages to maintaining a strong relationship with a sales representative, to either gain further education, view samples or take a look into the upcoming exclusive products.
[2-7 Hours]
3:00P Site Visits
Depending on the phase of the project, interior designers may visit construction sites or client homes to oversee progress, address issues, and ensure that the design plan is being implemented correctly.
[1-2 Hours]
4:00P Creativity & Problem-solving
Things arise and Interior Designers have to constantly use their creativity to solve design challenges and create functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces. This also means, designers may need to adapt their designs to unexpected issues that arise during the project, such as, change of product availability or damage. This can also be a part of the procurement or design implementation process.
[1-3 Hours]
5:ooP Networking & Continuing Education
Staying connected is with other professionals in the design industry is VERY essential. There are industry events, conferences, and networking functions that focus on the latest technologies and best practices.
[1-2 Hours]
6:00P End-of-Day Wrap-Up
End. Of. Day. What is that?! LOL. The day GENERALLY ends with responding to urgent emails, reviewing to-do lists and ensuring that tasks are prioritized for the next day.
[1 Hour]
“Design won’t save the world. But it damn sure makes it look good. ”
And there ya have it. A day in the life of an interior designer. Interior design, like any luxury service, has many responsibilities per project, and per client. Interior designers do tend to be the windshield between the client and the bug. Everything a designer does is intentional for the client, the project and their own sanity!
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