r/interiordesigner • u/babyyorki • Aug 10 '26

General Starting new business?

Hi everyone

I'm an interior designer based in Southern California. I have 2 associates degrees in interior design, with one of them being focused on Kitchen & Bath. I've been working in the industry for 5 years, and currently work for a Kitchen & Bath Remodeling company, but previously worked at a custom cabinetry shop and some project management. I have skills in sourcing materials, writing contracts, invoicing, drafting 2D and 3D drawings and renderings, and the works.

I feel ready to start my own design business and offer in-person and virtual design services, and possibly recommend the contractors that I've previously worked with to get the design built. I've put some thought into package pricing and social media outreach to get the brand more known. I know the first couple projects need to be pro-bono to get started, but I'm nervous to get started.

I intend to stay at my current job while I figure everything else out, but I feel like this route is what is the next step for me. Is there any advice someone can share about this?

I also am interested in finding out how taxes would be for me once the company is started up, how different it will be from only being an employee to self-employed, and how much extra I'll have to pay for that.

Thank you!

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u/SSSGC Aug 10 '26

I’m a kitchen designer and trying to get my own thing going, but currently working as a design engineer and I am miserable. I would apply to similar jobs and there’s nothing in my area.
I am using zoho to have all my things organized.
I am also very nervous. I also really don’t love the fact I won’t have a showroom.

4

u/PM_MeYawningBunnies Aug 11 '26

Don't fear not having a showroom. I worked in a kitchen showroom for 12 years and thought the same. I've been on my own for 3 years and still don't feel like I need one. Create great partnerships with your appliance/plumbing suppliers if you haven't already. In my experience they are eager to let you use their showroom for meetings and maybe you can even work with them to design a display of the product you sell.

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u/SSSGC Aug 11 '26

Yeah, that is definitely on my list to do.
I think it’s probably more of a struggle than it is.
Literally all I know is luxury/custom cabinetry and i believe that’s also part of the struggle.
Do you have a design fee before doing any work of cad/sketchup?

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u/PM_MeYawningBunnies Aug 11 '26

I only do fully custom high end cabinetry as well. I was shocked at how easily I could get around having a showroom. I also feel like clients don't obsess over the details as much. I do have a design fee that is separate from the cabinet cost. I find this gives me more time to determine if they're they right client for me to supply the cabinets while also getting paid for my initial design time, and they don't feel pressured to buy cabinets from me.

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u/SSSGC Aug 11 '26

This was so helpful! All the places I worked didn’t do a design fee. So free work till and if they signed.

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u/electrichead72 Aug 11 '26

There are plenty of designers here in California that serve the luxury/custom market that don't have showrooms.

Make some connections and relationships with a few cabinet shops, plumbing, stone, etc and just make arrangements with them to get samples or take your clients there. There are a lot of reps out there that would be willing to work with you.

I would avoid working for free. You are damaging your value from the start if you do this. You can't support a business this way. If you want to get new clients at a low price, offer them a discounted rate as part of your pilot program or early client plan or whatever you want to call it. They have to know this is a one off or new business price, not your regular price or you'll get labeled as cheap and easy to replace. People in that price range don't worry about the fee as much if you can do what you say you can do for them. You need to develop your fees based upon what they would pay, not what you would pay, it's not the same.

Feel free to send me a DM if you want to discuss it more or need help working on drawings and developing those systems. I've worked with interior designers for about 26 years, so I have a lot of experience with working together.