Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
As an interior designer, do you find yourself caught between your love for design and the realities of running a profitable business? Whether you're launching your firm or scaling to new heights, the business side of interior design can be complex—and often overwhelming.
That’s where Katie Decker-Erickson comes in. As a business coach for interior designers and the founder of a multimillion-dollar design firm, she knows firsthand what it takes to build a thriving, sustainable business while staying true to your creative vision. With nearly 20 years in the industry and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Katie is actively in the trenches—elevating her own firm while helping other designers master the business of design.
We’ll answer questions like:
How do I get more interior design clients?
What should I charge for interior design services?
What are the best marketing strategies for interior designers?
How can I grow my interior design business?
How do I build a brand as an interior designer?
How can I scale my interior design business?
What systems do I need to run a successful interior design business?
How do I create a client onboarding process for my design firm?
Is it worth hiring a coach for my interior design business?
This show delivers actionable tips on how to grow an interior design business with smart, sustainable strategies. You'll get insights on marketing your interior design services, building a strong brand, streamlining your systems, and scaling your firm—without burning out.
If you're an interior designer, firm owner, or creative entrepreneur ready to build a profitable, passion-filled business, you're in the right place.
Tune in, and let’s grow your interior design business—together.
Mastering the Business of Interior Design: Success by Design
103. Why Your Interior Design Projects Keep Going Over Budget
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Have you ever wrapped up a project and thought… how did we get here again?
You started with a clear vision, a solid plan, and a client who seemed aligned. But somewhere between the mood board and install day, the budget unraveled. Now the client is stressed, you’re reworking the same design over and over, and a project that once felt exciting feels heavy.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reason interior design projects go over budget—and it’s probably not what you think.
It’s not that you’re bad at budgeting.
It’s not just inflation.
And it’s definitely not just your client.
It’s your process.
I’m walking you through the structural shifts that will help you protect your budget, your time, and your client relationships—so your projects stay profitable and far less stressful.
IN THIS EPISODE:
• Why projects go over budget (and why it’s not a pricing problem)
• The biggest mistake designers make when discussing budget
• How line-item pricing leads to negotiation and scope creep
• What “pillow syndrome” is and why it destroys your design integrity
• Why clients compare instead of trust your design decisions
• The power of room-based budgeting vs. item-based pricing
• How to anchor clients to investment range instead of individual pieces
• Why flat-fee revision rounds protect your time and profitability
• The exact budget question that creates clarity from the start
If your projects constantly go over budget, it’s not because you need better math, it’s because your process isn’t supporting clear decision-making.
When clients evaluate a design piece by piece, every item becomes negotiable. That leads to endless revisions, lost time, and reduced profitability.
But when you structure your process differently—by setting budgets upfront, presenting the room as a whole, and clearly defining revisions—you create stability, confidence, and momentum in your projects.
This episode will help you stop redesigning the same project over and over and start running a business that actually protects your time, your profit, and your sanity.
Connect with Katie
LinkedIn
Business Strategy Sessions for Interior Designers
Free Resources for scaling your interior design firm
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