Have you ever looked at a beautifully designed room and thought, I could do that? Maybe you’ve always had a knack for picking out the perfect decor, rearranging furniture to create flow, or finding that one piece that ties everything together. If interior design has always been a secret passion, or if you’re curious about dipping your toes into the field, you’re not alone!
Starting interior design as a side job is a great way to explore your creative skills while keeping your day job. But it’s not just about creating beautiful spaces—there’s a business side to design too. That’s where the right support, like a virtual interior design assistant, can make all the difference.
In this post, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how you can make interior design work as a part-time venture, from the creative aspects to the organizational systems that help you shine. Let’s dive in and explore how you can turn your love for design into a fulfilling side hustle—with a little help along the way!
What Does It Mean to Do Interior Design as a Side Job?
Being a part-time or freelance interior designer means offering your skills and creativity without committing to a full-time workload. You might design moodboards, provide virtual consultations, or offer room styling advice—all while maintaining another job or personal commitments. This flexibility makes it an ideal side hustle for those passionate about creating beautiful spaces.
Skills and Tools You’ll Need
Getting started as a part-time designer doesn’t mean you need to have it all figured out from day one. A strong foundation in space planning, color theory, and an eye for detail is a great start. Tools like Canva or SketchUp can help bring your ideas to life. And remember, you don’t have to do it all yourself! A veteran virtual interior design assistant can help you create polished deliverables for clients, like moodboards, presentations, and furniture plans, so you can focus on the creative process.
To succeed as a side hustle designer, I recommend focusing on these aspects first:
Space planning and layout design.
Color theory and understanding of materials.
Proficiency in tools like Canva, AutoCAD, or SketchUp.
Having these skills allows you to deliver professional-quality work to your clients, even if you’re working part-time.
How to Balance a Full-Time Job with Interior Design
I get it—balancing a day job and a side hustle can feel overwhelming at first. That’s why setting boundaries and staying organized are so important. A virtual assistant can help you manage your schedule, handle client communications, or even take care of some of the admin work so you can focus on the parts of design you love most. Think of it as having an extra pair of hands to help keep things running smoothly! Here are a few tips for balancing your 9-5 while starting your interior design project:
Time-blocking: Dedicate specific hours to your design work.
Set boundaries: Clearly communicate your availability to clients.
Prioritize tasks: Focus on high-impact projects like e-design packages or virtual consultations.
Services You Can Offer as a Part-Time Designer
Starting small is key when interior design is your side job. Having small projects like these can help build your portfolio and be a great way for you to flex your creative skills while still working your 9-5. To get started, consider offering:
E-Design Services: Provide digital room layouts and shopping lists.
Real Estate Staging: Style homes for sale to appeal to buyers.
Moodboards and Styling Tips: Create inspiring visuals for DIY clients.
These services are low-commitment yet highly impactful, helping you build your portfolio and reputation.
Challenges of Part-Time Design Work
While the flexibility is appealing, working part-time as a designer comes with challenges. It can be tricky to juggle everything, so here are some things to focus on in the beginning:
Managing expectations: Clients must understand your limited availability.
Building credibility: Without full-time hours, it might take longer to establish your brand.
Staying organized: Juggling two roles requires streamlined systems and tools.
This is where hiring a virtual interior design assistant can be invaluable. From organizing client inquiries to creating moodboards or drafting floor plans, an assistant can help you stay on top of your workload and focus on your creative strengths.
Benefits of Starting Interior Design as a Side Job
Starting part-time offers several advantages:
Low-risk testing: Discover your passion without quitting your primary job.
Income boost: Earn extra money while doing something you love.
Growth potential: Build your skills and client base to transition into full-time work if desired.
Tips for Success
Ready to take the plunge? Here are some tips for thriving as a part-time designer:
Leverage Social Media: Use Instagram or Pinterest to showcase your work and attract clients.
Create Templates: Save time with reusable designs for e-design packages or contracts.
Get Support: One of the best tips I can give? Don’t be afraid to outsource. Your time is precious, and when you’re balancing a full-time job with side design work, having a virtual assistant that can create systems and manage your business (including answering emails while you’re at your full time job) can be a game-changer. It frees you up to focus on what you love—designing amazing spaces.
Ready to Elevate Your Side Hustle?
If you feel like interior design has always been something you’d love to do, it’s never too late!! Interior design can absolutely be a successful side job with the right tools and strategies. If you’re balancing a full-time job, staying organized and efficient is key—and that’s where a virtual interior design assistant can make all the difference. From managing your inbox to helping with client deliverables, I’d love to help you make the most of your design side hustle. Let’s work together to turn your passion for design into a thriving side business!
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