What Interior Designers Should Delegate First (and When)
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Let’s talk about something we often overlook as designers: delegation.
When you're just starting out, it’s easy to think you need to do it all — every email, every mood board, every product order, every invoice. We often wear all the hats, believing it proves we can handle running a business. But at some point, we all realize that juggling every task isn’t sustainable. The key to growth lies in learning what to delegate and when.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or simply curious about outsourcing but unsure where to start — this post is for you. We’re breaking down what to delegate first based on where you are in your business and design journey.
Why is Delegation So Hard?
Most of us start out solo — passionate, scrappy, and building our business from the ground up. We’re deeply invested in our clients, our work, and our reputation. It’s easy to feel like no one else can do things as well as you can, especially when you're running everything on your own. But if you want to grow, you need to embrace the fact that letting go is not a weakness — it’s a sign of strength and maturity as a business owner.
And sure, there are areas where only we can bring our unique touch. But that doesn’t mean we have to do everything.
The truth is, when you finally start letting go of the tasks that don’t serve your highest value, everything becomes lighter. You get more energy for the creative work you love and open up the space needed to grow — without the risk of burning out.
So, if you’re wondering where to begin, let’s break it down by business stage and explore your first delegation steps.
For Designers in the “Just Starting” Stage
If you’re feeling like you're in a whirlwind of emails, product orders, and deadlines — constantly playing catch-up — you’re likely in the early stages of your business journey. This phase is all about learning, juggling a lot, and making the most of every opportunity that comes your way. But it can also feel chaotic, and you might be getting stuck in the weeds.
Try Delegating These Tasks First:
Inbox & Calendar Management: Even a few hours of support each week can drastically reduce overwhelm and allow you to focus more on what you love doing — designing.
Template Creation: Proposals, welcome packets, and intake forms — get help creating these documents to ensure they’re both functional and professional.
Social Media Scheduling: You don’t need to delegate strategy just yet, but having someone handle the uploading, hashtagging, and post prep can free up valuable time.
Expert Tip: Start by identifying tasks that are draining your time or attention, and look for virtual assistants or freelancers who specialize in those areas.
For Designers in the “Growing & Juggling Multiple Projects” Stage
You’ve got clients knocking on your door, and your design services are in demand — that’s awesome! But as your business grows, your backend systems may start to feel messy. Details are slipping through the cracks, and your to-do list is growing faster than your ability to manage it. You’re juggling multiple projects and struggling to stay on top of everything.
Try Delegating These Tasks First:
FF&E Tracking & Procurement: Let someone else handle the logistics of ordering, tracking, and managing deliveries.
Project Scheduling & Communication: Keep your projects on track by delegating the day-to-day check-ins, timeline management, and client updates.
Client Onboarding: Hire someone to handle the initial client experience so you can focus on the design work.
Expert Tip: Ask yourself, "Is this something only I can do?" If the answer’s no — delegate it.
For Designers in the “Scaling or Leading a Small Team” Stage
Now that you've gained traction, you’re leading a small team or managing a handful of regular contractors. You’ve got momentum, but you're realizing that in order to grow sustainably, you need to shift into a CEO mindset. At this stage, it’s time to delegate higher-level tasks so you can focus on business strategy and scaling your operations.
Try Delegating These Tasks First:
Project Management: Let someone else handle the day-to-day management of deliverables, timelines, and team check-ins.
Marketing Tasks: Delegate content creation, blogs, newsletters, and social media repurposing to ensure your brand stays visible without you doing it all.
SOPs & Workflows: Develop systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline your processes and make it easier to onboard new team members.
Expert Tip: Ask yourself, "What would free me up to work on the business, not just in it?"
For Designers in the “Transition” Stage (Rebranding or Pivoting)
Maybe you're evolving. You’re shifting your ideal client, rebranding, or launching new services. At this stage, your focus is more on strategic changes, which means you need support with the heavy lifting of administrative and marketing tasks so you can focus on the big-picture direction.
Try Delegating These Tasks First:
Brand & Website Updates: Delegate content organization or work with a designer/developer to bring your vision to life.
Updated Communication Templates: Align your messaging with your new direction by outsourcing the creation of proposals, welcome packets, or email templates.
Market Research: Bring someone on to conduct research on competitors, client behavior, or new industry trends so you can stay ahead of the game.
For Designers in the “Maxed-Out Solo Designer” Stage
Your client book is full, and business is booming, but time? Not so much. You're running on fumes, but you're not yet ready to hire a full team. You’re managing everything yourself, and it’s starting to feel unsustainable. Now’s the time to start delegating some of the tasks that are draining your energy.
Try Delegating These Tasks First:
Quick-Win Admin Tasks: File renaming, appointment confirmations, vendor follow-ups — these are small but time-consuming tasks that can easily be delegated.
Meeting Notes & Action Items: Have someone sit in on meetings, take notes, and create action items from recordings.
Time Tracking & Invoicing: Don’t let the administrative side of your business slip through the cracks — delegate time tracking and invoicing to free up mental space.
For Designers in the “Burned-Out Designer” Stage
You love design, but lately, it feels like a heavy burden. Creative blocks, emotional exhaustion, and the constant pressure to perform have you feeling burned out. At this stage, delegation is key to taking some of the weight off your shoulders and allowing you to recharge.
Try Delegating These Tasks First:
Inbox Triage: A trusted assistant can flag only what needs your attention, helping you avoid email overload.
Client Support: Have someone manage routine client check-ins and project updates so you can focus on the creative aspects.
Your Biggest Energy Drains: Whether it’s billing, ordering, or scheduling — hand off the tasks that drain your energy the fastest.
Expert Tip: Burnout isn’t a failure. It’s a sign your business needs better support. Letting go of tasks that drain your energy will help you rediscover your passion for design and create space for your creativity to flow again.”
For Designers in the “Visionary” Stage
You’re dreaming big. Your business is scaling, you’re developing courses, content, and looking to create a well-oiled machine that runs smoothly without you in every meeting. At this stage, your focus should be on innovation, building your team, and scaling your business. Delegating strategic marketing and product management tasks frees up your time to focus on what will take your business to new heights.
Try Delegating These Tasks First:
Strategic Marketing Support: Hire someone to help with lead magnets, content funnels, and public relations so you can stay visible and attract your ideal clients.
Course or Product Management: Let someone help manage the development and delivery of your scalable offers.
Team Training & System Docs: Develop training materials and systems documentation to ensure your team thrives without constant guidance.
Final Thoughts
Delegation isn’t about losing control; it’s about creating space to grow. As your business evolves, delegation becomes less of a choice and more of a necessity. So whether you're just starting out or have a full team, delegate what you can — and watch your business transform. You don’t have to do it all. Start small, and let go of what’s holding you back.
You don’t have to do it all. You just have to start somewhere.
xx, Danae
P.S. Delegation can feel like a big leap, and that's why we're here to help. At Elite Design Assistants, we specialize in supporting designers at every stage of their journey. Whether you need help with administrative work, marketing, or professional services, we’re the partner you need to lighten the load.
The best part? You decide how much help you need. Even just a few hours a week can make a huge difference. If you’re curious about how we can support you, head over to our services page to learn more. Sometimes, all it takes is a little help to bring back that spark and ease the overwhelm.