How to Start a Home Decorator Business

Part 1 - How to start a Home Decorator business - Background

A home decorator helps people use the space in their home or office more efficiently. They’ll recommend the colors, layouts, and furnishings that will best complement a room. Traditional interior designers will do the shopping or the preparing of the physical items that go in the space. Unlike interior designers, they’re not expected to use computer-aided design programs or architectural principles when on the job.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Home Decorator business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a home decorator business?

Because a decorator relies primarily on selling their time, the costs can be minimal to get going. Owners should have a professional website showcasing their work — even if it’s just simulated images on a basic computer program. A good website can cost a few hundred dollars per year if the decorator designs the site themselves. They should have business cards and a physical portfolio to show their clients. Finally, decorators will need some type of commercial insurance to protect themselves in case they make a mistake in their client’s homes (e.g., moving a piece of furniture and accidentally breaking an expensive vase.) Decorators can work from their home to maximize initial profits.

What are the ongoing expenses for a home decorator business?

Expenses for a decorator include insurance, website upkeep, employee salaries, and the rent or mortgage for their office space (if applicable).

Who is the target market?

Upper and middle-class homeowners will likely be the primary target. Home decorators are highly coveted by many people, but high rates can sometimes make them an underutilized profession for those without substantial incomes.

How does a home decorator business make money?

Home decorators typically charge people for their professional advice and efforts either by the hour or by the room.

How much can you charge customers?

Home decorators charge based on their experience and reputation. To simply spruce up a room and give a few final touches, they may charge $100 for an hour or two worth of work. For a complete redesign, they may charge $500 for a full day. Established decorators may charge much more than this — especially if they specialize in finding inexpensive furniture or in restoring old pieces.

How much profit can a home decorator business make?

Home decorators have high profit margins, so the pay can be quite substantial. If a decorator has 200 clients in a year at an average of $400 per client, they’ll make about $650,000 per year, assuming their business expenses run around $15,000 a year.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Decorators can consider becoming interior designers if the demand is high enough in their area. This will mean more schooling and official certification, but the rates a designer can charge will be higher than that of a decorator. Or they can consider adding one-off services to clients, such as furniture restoration.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a home decorator business?

Decorators will spend the majority of their time going through different options for the many rooms they’ll plan. However, they’ll also need to make time for client consultations, marketing efforts, and invoicing matters.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful home decorator business?

Decorators need to be creative and thoroughly in-tune with the basic elements of design. It’s not necessary to have formal education, unlike in the case of an interior designer, but it may help to take a few classes to get a better handle on how function meets form.

What is the growth potential for a home decorator business?

Growth potential can be staggering for the right home decorator. Even the most modest of homes can benefit from a decorator’s critical and creative eye, and because trends change often enough, even home decorators entering a saturated market may find they can grow their business quickly with a little ingenuity.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a home decorator business?

Home decorators need to showcase their dedication and creativity to their clients at every opportunity. Ideally, decorators will be able to complete much of their vision without making a client buy a lot of extra furnishings or accessories. Owners may want to start their business part-time to see how well they can handle different styles and spaces.

One of the biggest hurdles to cross when running your business will be how you’ll get the necessary supplies for your clients. Making relationships with suppliers or home furnishers can help immensely when it comes to knowing what’s available, what’s a good deal, and what should be avoided. Decorators don’t have a lot of rules when it comes to how they help their clients, which can work to their advantage. Decorators can spend their day attending auctions and estate sales, refurbishing client’s old furniture back to its original glory, or negotiating with suppliers for a better rate.

Decorators need to find the best ways to attack different problems without stepping outside their client’s boundaries. They need to give their clients a reason to choose them rather than relying on the thousands of articles and books written about interior decorating. Owners should emphasize the value of their expertise and why customized advice is really the only way to get the best results.

As decorators start learning the ways to efficiently solve the puzzle, they’ll find their business begin to grow. Decorators can also consider offering their services online to get started. This is a growing form of decorating that can open up your target market considerably, even if the personal element will be somewhat lost. This can also help you cut down on your initial expenses, as you’ll essentially just need to give advice and nothing else.

How and when to build a team

You likely won’t need to hire a team unless your workload spins out of control. In that case, you may want to hire an accountant or secretary before hiring additional decorators. This can ensure your style isn’t corrupted by another decorator, so you don’t risk your reputation.

Part 2 - Is a Home Decorator business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Home Decorator business in 90 days