What Does an Interior Designer Do? A Day in the Life
Interior design is often perceived as a glamorous career filled with material swatches, stylish furniture, and perfectly curated spaces. While creativity is a huge part of the job, there’s much more that goes on behind the scenes. Interior designers juggle project management, client relations, budgeting, space planning, and technical drawings - all while keeping up with design trends and industry standards.
If this topic interests you, here’s an easy read outlining the differences between the role of an Interior Design vs Interior Decorator.
If you’ve ever wondered what a typical day looks like for an interior designer, this guide will take you through the ins and outs of the profession, from concept development to final installation.
Understanding the Role of an Interior Designer
Interior designers are responsible for creating functional and visually appealing spaces that enhance people’s lives. Their work extends beyond the aesthetics - they must consider space planning, safety regulations, lighting, materials, and even human psychology.
Common Responsibilities of an Interior Designer:
Meeting with clients to discuss needs and project goals.
Developing floor plans, layouts, and sometimes 3D renderings.
Designing functional spaces including kitchens, bathrooms.
Selecting materials, equipment, finishes, hardware, furniture, and decor.
Collaborating with contractors, architects, and suppliers.
Managing budgets and timelines.
Site meetings for overseeing installations and ensuring quality control.
Keeping up with design trends and sustainability practices.
Interior designers work in various sectors, including:
Residential design (homes, apartments, luxury estates).
Commercial spaces (offices, retail stores, hotels).
Hospitality and restaurants (bars, cafes, resorts).
Healthcare design (hospitals, wellness centers, assisted living).
Educational institutions (schools, libraries, universities).
Every day is different, but let’s break down a typical day in the life of an interior designer.
A Day in the Life of an Interior Designer
To give you an idea of what a day in the life of an interior designer looks like, I thought it would be best to give you an idea of what my typical day looks like. Reality is, there really is no such thing as a “typical” day, as every day differs, and every project differs - some days I do many of the below tasks, and other days I only get to a few because I’ve spent hours on a site meeting or driven across town to review options with a supplier. But as a general rule, I’ve tried to capture all the elements of a typical day for me. Check it out:
Start of the Day - Morning Routine & Emails
The day often starts with catching up on emails, responding to client inquiries, and coordinating with suppliers or contractors. Interior designers communicate constantly with clients, vendors, and project teams, so staying on top of emails is essential.
Some common morning tasks include:
Checking client feedback on mood boards or proposals.
Confirming delivery timelines with suppliers.
Reviewing changes to construction or renovation plans.
Scheduling site visits or client meetings.
If an interior designer works for a firm, they may attend team meetings to discuss project updates, deadlines, and design challenges. Freelancers or solo designers typically use this time to plan their day and review project timelines, checking that things are on track.
9:30am - Client Meetings & Presentations
Client consultations are a crucial part of an interior designer’s day. These meetings could be initial discussions with new clients or progress updates with existing ones.
During these sessions, a designer might:
Present concept boards, sketches, or space planning layouts.
Discuss project timelines and budget updates.
Get client approvals on material selections or furniture.
Address concerns or changes and refine the design plan.
Some meetings take place in-person at the client’s home, office, or project site, while others happen via video calls or phone calls.
11:00am - Site Visits & Project Management
Once design concepts are approved, it’s time to bring them to life. When a project is in the construction phase, interior designers can spend a significant part of their day on-site reviewing installations, and coordinating with contractors, and other consultants such as electricians or plumbing contractors.
On a site visit, an interior designer might:
Inspect construction progress and troubleshoot any issues.
Ensure that materials, paint colours, and flooring match specifications.
Communicate with electricians, plumbers, and carpenters.
Take measurements and double-check cabinetry layouts.
If working on a renovation or large-scale project, designers often problem-solve unexpected challenges, such as delays in material delivery or structural issues uncovered during demolition.
1:00pm - Creative Work & Admin Tasks
Afternoons often include a mix of creative and administrative tasks. Designers might dive into:
Design Development
Creating floor plans and layouts using AutoCAD, SketchUp, or Revit.
Reviewing custom millwork shop drawings.
Refining mood boards and design presentations in Adobe Photoshop, Canva or Microsoft Powerpoint.
Experimenting with colour schemes, textures, and materials.
Material & Furniture Sourcing
Visiting showrooms or vendor warehouses to select tiles, countertops, or fabrics.
Comparing furniture samples and requesting quotes.
Coordinating custom furniture orders with artisans and manufacturers.
Many designers also spend time researching the latest interior trends, sustainable design solutions, and innovative materials. Staying ahead in the industry requires constant learning and adaptability.
3:00pm - Budgeting & Administrative Tasks
Interior designers manage budgets and project costs to track its progress alongside the client’s financial plan. This part of the job involves:
Creating detailed cost estimates for furniture, art and decor.
Tracking costs and expenses.
Negotiating pricing with suppliers and contractors.
Ensuring financial transparency with clients.
For designers running their own business, this is also a good time to focus on branding, social media marketing, or networking with potential clients.
4:30pm - Finalizing Orders
To keep a project moving smoothly, interior designers must stay on top of logistics. Before wrapping up for the day, consider:
Confirming furniture orders.
Schedule deliveries to align with project timelines.
Follow up with vendors about lead times or custom orders.
This stage requires strong organization skills, as multiple projects often run simultaneously.
End of the Day - Wrapping Up & Preparing for the Next Day
By the end of the day, interior designers review progress and update their task lists. They might:
Review tomorrow’s client meetings or site visits.
Finalize any outstanding design work.
Respond to remaining emails.
Even after office hours, many designers continue to gather inspiration from design books, Pinterest, architecture, and travel, as well as connect with social media accounts. The creative process is ongoing!
Skills Every Interior Designer Needs
Successful interior designers require a mix of creative, technical, and business skills:
Creativity & Aesthetic Vision
Strong sense of colour, balance, and composition.
Spatial awareness and ability to visualize.
Pull together cohesive concepts and translate them into reality.
Technical Skills
Knowledge of architectural drawings and detailing.
Ability to read and coordinate and comment on electrical and mechanical drawings.
Proficiency in AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, Photoshop, or similar programs.
Project Management & Problem-Solving
Ability to juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and budgets.
Strong problem-solving skills when challenges arise.
Communication & Client Relations
Active listening to understand clients’ needs.
Ability to present design ideas and collaborate with contractors.
Final Thoughts
A day in the life of an interior designer is fast-paced, dynamic, and filled with both creative and technical challenges. From client meetings to site visits, material sourcing to budgeting, no two days are ever the same. While the job requires hard work, attention to detail, and problem-solving, the reward is creating beautiful, functional spaces that enhance people’s lives.
If you’re considering a career in interior design or simply want to elevate your own space, learning these essential design principles will help you approach interiors with confidence. For more content on interior design as a career, read my Comprehensive Guide to Interior Design Projects: Career Paths, Specializations, and Firm Structures.
“I believe that if you are true to expressing yourself, coupled with the right amount of discipline and routine, your space can reflect your personality, and you can turn your home into your haven.”
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