How to Maximize the Down Time in Your Interior Design Business

How to Maximize the Downtime in Your Interior Design Business

Fall gets me so excited every year. As a matter of fact, every season brings with it a special delight. Fall brings college football, cooler weather, leaves turning, and all things cinnamon and nutmeg. I feel the crispness in the air, and it makes me want to start looking for a cozy sweater and a good movie. But fall can also bring a slowdown if perhaps your marketing wasn’t connecting during the summer months (or was nonexistent), or if there is a general slowdown in the economy. If either of these are affecting your business, don’t lose hope. Keep marketing and turn your focus towards working on your business so that when your ideal client reaches out, you are more than ready. 

For many interior designers, the natural ebb and flow of the year means that you may experience a dip in projects as the seasons change. This can be a moment of stress and uncertainty, but it doesn’t have to be. 

Instead of viewing this slowdown as a setback, I encourage you to use it as an opportunity to recharge, rethink, and prepare. Here are several key areas where you should focus your time and energy during these slower periods, ensuring that when business picks up again, you’re in a stronger position than ever.

Keep Your Marketing Machine Running

First things first—this is not a time to hold back on marketing. Yes, it can be frustrating when things feel quiet, but this is the moment to double down, not step back. Push through the frustration and try to reconnect with your potential clients. Has their behavior or preferences changed? Are their spending habits different? Have they pivoted to seeking new services or products that you might not have considered before? Spend this time reassessing who your ideal client is right now and what they need.

Your marketing efforts should be proactive, not reactive. It’s tempting to save resources during a slow period, but remember, marketing is what keeps your business visible and relevant. If you're not out there actively engaging your audience, you might be missing out on future opportunities. Consider revisiting your social media content, updating your portfolio, or even creating seasonal offerings that speak directly to where your audience is now. This is also the time to focus on nurturing relationships with your existing clients—those who already trust you and your work. A well-timed email, a personalized note, or a helpful blog post (like this one) can go a long way in keeping you top-of-mind for future projects.

Reconnect and Network with Other Professionals

When we’re super busy, we often don’t have time for lunch or coffee meetings to invest in new relationships or rekindle old ones. Slower periods provide the perfect opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues, vendors, or potential collaborators. Building and maintaining these relationships is vital to long-term success in any business, especially in a creative industry like interior design.

I recommend reaching out to those you’ve been meaning to catch up with, whether it’s a local furniture maker, a fabric supplier, or another designer you admire. You never know what doors might open when you put yourself out there—whether it’s a referral, collaboration, or just a fresh perspective that fuels your next project.

Consider attending industry events, virtual summits, or even visiting a local museum or botanical garden for inspiration. Stepping outside your usual environment can spark new ideas, helping you stay creatively energized when the next opportunity comes knocking.

Refine and Streamline Your Processes

One of the biggest challenges in interior design is managing the balance between creativity and business operations. During slower times, it's easier to focus on the latter. This is your chance to look at your internal processes with fresh eyes and identify areas for improvement.

Are there bottlenecks that slow down your project timelines? Is there a more efficient way to manage your client communications or project updates? Perhaps there’s software that can automate some of the repetitive tasks, like invoicing or scheduling, that eat into your time when you’re busy. Take your team offsite for a day and walk through your processes from start to finish. Getting input from your team can help you uncover blind spots and create more streamlined, automated workflows.

Not only will these improvements make your life easier when things pick back up, but they’ll also enhance your client experience, which is critical for client retention and referrals.

Work on Your Business, Not Just In It

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle of running your design business—client meetings, site visits, sourcing materials. But when things slow down, it’s the perfect time to step back and evaluate your business as a whole.

Where do you see your business in the next year? What are your long-term goals, both creatively and financially? Use this time to reflect on the big picture and make strategic plans for future growth. This might include revisiting your business plan, updating your financial projections, or exploring new revenue streams, like offering virtual consultations or expanding into a niche market.

In addition to business planning, consider how you can invest in personal and professional development. Are there any courses or certifications you’ve been eyeing but haven’t had time to pursue? Now is the time to learn new skills, sharpen your expertise, and position yourself as a leader in the field.

Take Care of Yourself

Finally, don’t forget to use this time to take care of yourself. As entrepreneurs, we often neglect our own well-being in the pursuit of growing our business. Slower seasons offer a chance to pause, reflect, and recharge. Take a moment to rest, spend time with loved ones, or even indulge in a personal project that inspires you.

Slowing down doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re giving yourself the space to think, breathe, and prepare for the next phase. A well-rested, refreshed version of yourself will be far more creative and ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

Final Thoughts

So, when fall and the holidays roll around, and you notice a lull in your business, don’t panic. View it as an opportunity to realign, strengthen your processes, and nurture your professional relationships. Keep marketing, keep connecting, and keep improving.

When the phone starts ringing again—and it will—you’ll be ready.

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