What To Do When Your Interior Design Business Slows Down

This year has felt slow for many interior designers and firms. And when projects stall, inquiries dip, and your calendar looks too open, it’s easy to panic. But here’s the truth: slow seasons aren’t failure. They’re an opportunity.

Even the best designers (those with talent, reputation, and experience) hit seasons when the pipeline thins out. You may have experienced a slow month, a quiet quarter, or it may have been a sluggish year so far.

The first thing I want you to know is this: a slow season doesn’t mean you’re failing. It’s part of the natural business cycle. And when you know how to use these times wisely, they can actually set you up for your biggest growth spurts yet.

Let’s also acknowledge the bigger picture. We’re in a presidential election year, which often brings uncertainty. Tariffs have created volatility. And we’re coming off the COVID correction after unprecedented demand for design during the pandemic.

So how do you navigate the quiet without panicking, discounting, or losing your spark? Let’s dive in.

Take Advantage of the Slowness 

A slow season is not a sentence, it’s an opportunity.

Instead of spiraling into fear, reframe it as the gift of space. This is your chance to breathe, to reset, to refine your process, and to lay the groundwork for your next big wave of projects.

Busyness doesn’t equal profitability. I know designers who are constantly running but not really earning. A quiet period gives you the chance to focus on profit, beyond mere activity. It’s time to work on your business instead of being buried by it. Refine your ideal client profile. Finesse your marketing strategies. Explore new opportunities.

Doing what you’ve always done will get you what you’ve always gotten. It’s time for a change.

Double Down on Visibility

The biggest mistake I see in slow times is designers disappearing. You stop posting, stop emailing, stop showing up because you’re feeling embarrassed or defeated.

I get the temptation to pull back instead of lean in. But when you go quiet, your market forgets you.

Instead, keep your visibility alive. Share your past projects. Remind people of the beautiful transformations you’ve already delivered. Post testimonials. Show behind-the-scenes of what you’re refining, designing, or dreaming up next.

There’s always something worth sharing in design…whether it’s inspiration for a new project (real or imagined), the journey of designing for yourself, behind-the-scenes process reels, or expert-level insights. Take a look at Amy Kartheiser for a strong example. Or get inspired by Emmy Couture and Isabelle Ladd Interiors. These are designers who are showing up and being seen.

A sea of stunning interiors isn’t enough. You need to appear at least every 6-9 posts and in stories daily. Momentum comes from consistency. Clients can’t hire you if they don’t see you.

One designer I coach built her 7-figure practice on IG stories. She was raw and real. Clients would reach out saying, “We’ve been following your stories and feel like we know you. We’d like to work with you.”

Hiding inside or behind your business is never going to get you what you want most.

Reconnect with Your Network

This is the perfect time to reach out.

Call a past interior design client to check in. Send a quick note to an architect or builder you’ve worked with. Text that personal trainer or luxury day spa owner to explore a pop-up event.

Share your favorite realtor’s new listing or recent sale in your stories. It’s a nice thing to do.

Explore a digital newsletter swap with your favorite cabinet shop, flooring vendor, or art gallery.

This isn’t about begging for business, it’s about nurturing relationships. Often, the next project comes from the people who already know, like, and trust you.

Upgrade Your Systems and Skills

Slow time is perfect growth time.

Use it to tighten your contracts, refine your design packages, organize your project management system, or train your team.

Speaking of your team, plan a team day outing. Go somewhere that inspires, informs, and energizes.

Take that course you’ve been putting off. Build the flat fee structure you’ve been hesitating on. All the things you “never have time for” when you’re busy? This is the time.

So when inquiries surge again (and they will), you’re not scrambling. You’re ready.

Lead with Confidence From CEO Energy

This is critical.

In slow times, fear whispers. It says, “Drop your prices. Take any client. Say yes to everything.” Don’t listen.

Remain discerning. Poor-fit clients rob you of profit and peace of mind. Discounting doesn’t build confidence, it erodes it. Taking on draining projects holds you back.

Stay in your CEO energy. Lead with confidence. Clients buy certainty and if you believe in your value, they will too.

Remember the rockstar designer Corey Damien Jenkins during the 2008 recession. (If you don’t look him up, his story is so inspiring.) He knocked on 779 doors. Today, he has offices in Manhattan and Detroit, a talented team, and is a celebrity designer. It didn’t take long. It took staying power.

Position Yourself for Interior Design Business Success 

So, how are you choosing to use your slow season?

Are you refining your process? Reconnecting with your network? Doubling down on visibility? Upgrading your systems?

Slow times don’t last but how you use them will define how strong you come out the other side.

So don’t panic. Don’t shrink. Lead. This is your opportunity to lay the foundation for your next level of success.

You deserve success without sacrifice.

Ready to turn this slow season into your most strategic one yet?
Let’s build your business for sustainable success, not just seasonal spikes.

Book a 1:1 Design Business Assessment to see how we can support your next level.

You’ve got this and I’ve got you.