How to Increase your Efficiency as an Interior Designer
Ever feel that you are being pulled in several directions as a designer, and you don’t know where to start?
Here are some tips to help you increase your efficiency as an interior designer:
Use business management tools: Several tools can help you streamline your workflows and stay organised. For example, you could use a project management tool like Asana or Trello to keep track of your tasks and deadlines or a customer relationship management (CRM) system like Dubsado to manage your client interactions and sales pipelines. You can set up an interior design management system on Notion that will help you track your business and your projects.
Set clear goals and priorities: It's essential to know what you want to accomplish and how you will get there. Setting clear goals and priorities can help you stay focused and avoid getting bogged down by distractions. Work out your goals, such as profitability, types of projects and your ideal client. Make sure that the tasks you achieve in your days align with these goals.
Use templates and automation: One of the most tedious parts of the interior design process is the documentation you must do daily. Creating templates for everyday tasks, such as proposals or invoices, can save you time. I have prepared around 70 email templates for my interior design business, which saves me hours every week. You can also use automation tools such as Zapier to handle repetitive tasks, such as connecting apps or scheduling tools such as Calendly or Acuity to streamline the of scheduling appointments.
Delegate tasks: If you have a team, delegate tasks to your team members where appropriate. Create SOPs for your staff with detailed directions. You can check out how I do this in Scribe. This can help you focus on the most critical tasks, ensure quality control and allow your team to contribute to the project's success.
Take breaks: It's essential to take creative breaks and recharge your batteries. You can use that time to devote to creative tasks by automating and systematizing your business. Regular intervals can help you stay fresh and focused, increasing creativity and overall efficiency.
By using business management tools, setting clear goals and priorities, using templates and automation, delegating tasks, and taking breaks, you can increase your efficiency as an interior designer and get more done in less time.
Hi 👋🏽 I’m Joanne!
I’m an interior designer, educator and business coach. After studying Economics and Education at uni, the design world beckoned, drawing me to Christie’s in London, where I completed post-grad studies in art & design and then to Hong Kong, where I founded Eclectic Cool, a design firm and design store. . Eclectic Cool represented international brands such as Gubi, &tradition, HAY, Armadillo Rugs & Dinosaur Designs to name a few. My work and store have been featured in Monocle, Conde Nast Traveller, Elle Decor, Expat Living, Cathay Pacific inflight magazines, South China Morning Post and the ABC (Australia) network and more. I live on the south coast of Australia on a country property between the beautiful Australian bush and the Pacific Ocean with my husband and cavoodle. I’m the mum of three adult children.
