Working as an interior designer can be VERY stressful and not as glamorous as one might think! There is also a lot of risk and pressure involved with design work that many don't realise when they enter the industry (I am guilty of this!). In this post, I share just a few of the aspects of the profession that can be stressful and a couple solutions that may help alleviate some of the stress you may be experiencing in your business.

Mistakes:

Mistakes can have serious consequences, not only regarding the success of the project but legally. This is one of the most stressful part of working as an interior designer. Here are a few reasons why:

• Legal Consequences. Mistakes in sign offs, design choices, selection of inappropriate materials, copyright issues or mismanaged contracts can lead to serious and very stressful legal problems and lawsuits.
• Reputation. A significant error can harm your reputation and affect future client relationships (e.g. by leading to negative reviews online or word of mouth). Unfortunately we cannot control what people write, do or say online. Whether it's your fault or not, one bad review can be detrimental to your career.
• Financial Repercussions. Mistakes may require costly fixtures and if the designer is at fault, it will be their responsibility to pay for the mistake. This can lead to major profitability issues if they aren't correctly insured.
• Emotional Repercussions. Errors aren't just stressful in the moment; they can be emotionally draining and lead to self doubt and a loss of confidence.

Client Expectations:

Normally, clients like their designer out of everyone involved in any project. They hired you after all! While this sounds like a positive thing, it actually means you can often be found in difficult positions where clients don't know (or respect) what you're responsible for and what other people involved in the project are responsible for. Overstepping boundaries puts you and your business at risk which can be stressful to navigate.

Additionally, you'll need to meet the often high expectations clients have which can also create significant pressure. You're essentially working on their most expensive asset, so this is not something to take lightly! Being able to manage clients requires nuanced communication, transparency and negotiation skills. 

From time to time, you may find that your vision won't align with your client's vision. Trying to reconcile their ideas with your professional recommendations, as well as guiding them away from making bad choices, requires a high level diplomacy.

Time Constraints:

Projects often come with strict deadlines. Unfortunately, there are numerous aspects that can affect time constraints, most of which are out of your control as an interior designer. Here are some of the ways time constraints can be very stressful: 

• Balancing Multiple Projects. Juggling more than one project at any given time, each with its own set of deadlines and expectations, can be very stressful.
• Vendor Delays. Waiting for furniture or fixtures to arrive or being let down by vendors can have a negative impact on you, leaving a negative sentiment. 
• Approvals Delays. Waiting for approvals or permits from local councils or authorities can impact other project timelines, especially if it's required to move to the next stage of your project, e.g. planning permission.
• Resource Scarcity. Limited labour or materials can further delay completion times.
• Revisions. Clients can take longer than you would like to review or approve designs. Often this throws you out of your workflow and affects the project timeline. 

Budget Constraints:

As an interior designer, your job is to create aesthetically pleasing and functional spaces within the confines of a budget. Here's why this can be stressful: 

• Design Compromise. You may be forced to opt for lower quality products or materials, which can be annoying if you have a particular vision in mind.
• Innovation. You will require strong product knowledge in order to be able to create novel solutions to meet budget constraints. 
• Client Expectations. When clients desire luxury finishes, you may need to scale back due to the budget.

Financial Pressure:

For those who are self employed or run their own business, there are financial pressures such as overheads, employee salaries and the constant need to find new clients to sustain business and cashflow. Economic downturns, changes in consumer preferences and other market variables will influence client demand and this can lead to financial instability and increased stress levels. These financial pressures contribute to the overall stress of working as an interior designer and require not only design skills but a lot of sales and business knowledge (that many designers don’t have).

Emotional Investment:

It is easy to get emotionally invested in your projects. It happens to all of us. Unlike many other professions, interior design is a creative art as much as it is a service. Criticism or negative feedback can therefore feel very personal. Changes can also be difficult to accept and adjust to, especially when you don’t necessarily agree with some of the ideas being presented.

When clients request changes, it can create an emotional and logistical toll on you. Usually it isn't simply 'tweaking the design', it can sometimes question the entire creative direction, which can be mentally exhausting (and also take a lot of time!).

You may resonate with this, but a lot of people enter the interior design industry as they are drawn to the creative challenge or perhaps have always loved reading decorating magazines. Often, they don’t realise there are a lot of other risks and stresses involved with working as an interior designer. All of these emotional complexities add another layer of stress to your work.

The Solution?

If you are keen to work as a designer, ensure you enter into the profession with your eyes open, understanding these pressures are and how you are going to deal with them. The best, and most successful, interior designers are able to work with clients they want to work with, rather than 'needing to' because they need revenue to pay the bills and keep the lights on.

Unfortunately, it can take many years to reach this level of success, and even then, it's a very competitive industry. One of the ways that you can leverage your style, expertise and knowledge, while reaching hundreds, if not thousands of more clients weekly, is to utilise the power of the internet and social media.

The internet and social media platforms (such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest) are open 24/7 around the world. E-commerce allows you to reach other clients from within your city, state, country, and even across the world. This allows you to generate additional revenue on a monthly, weekly and daily basis that will give you more flexibility with your interior design business.